AR 27-52 — Consular Protection Of Foreign Nationals Subject To The Uniform Code Of Military Justice {secnavinst 5820.6a; Dafi 51-707}
AR 27-52 governs notice, access, and communication for foreign consular offices concerning foreign nationals serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Publication number: AR 27-52
- Title: CONSULAR PROTECTION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS SUBJECT TO THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE {SECNAVINST 5820.6A; DAFI 51-707}
- Date: 07/24/2026
- Proponent: TJAG
- Status: ACTIVE
View AR 27-52 on armypubs.army.mil
It covers nationality determination, legal considerations, notification procedures, exceptions, and disputes over foreign nationality. It requires notice without delay in specified circumstances and identifies duties of SJAs and notifying officers.
Applies to: This regulation applies within the United States.
Topics covered
- Nationality determination
- Consular notification
- Vienna Convention rights
- Foreign consulates
- Notification exceptions
- Foreign nationality disputes
Questions and answers
When must a servicemember’s nationality be ascertained?
Upon arrest, commitment to prison, commitment to custody pending trial, or detention in any other manner, the nationality of the servicemember must be ascertained if there is any question whether the servicemember is a U.S. citizen. (paragraph 2-1)
What notification right does the Vienna Convention create for a detained foreign national?
The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 creates a right for a national to request notification of the States nearest embassy, a foreign governments headquarters in Washington, DC, or consulate offices in other cities, when its national is arrested, committed to prison, committed to custody pending trial, or detained in any other manner by the United States. (paragraph 2-2)
When must a foreign national be advised of the option to request consular notification?
Where the foreign national is from a State party to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 and has been arrested, imprisoned, committed to custody pending trial, or otherwise detained, the foreign national must be advised, without delay, of their option to request that their closest consulate or the embassy be notified. (paragraph 2-3)
How soon must a requested consulate or embassy be notified when notification is not mandatory?
If notification is not mandatory, should the foreign national request to exercise their consular rights under Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963, the foreign nations closest consulate or the embassy must be notified without delay, and in no case later than three days from the time of arrest or detention. (paragraph 2-3)
Is consular notification required while a ship is at sea?
If any of the circumstances specified in paragraph 23a or 23b occur aboard a ship at sea, notification is not required while the ship is at sea. (paragraph 2-3)