Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

 *Some of the links below are PDF files, which can be downloaded using Adobe Reader. If you do not have Adobe Reader, download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from here.

If you have any other questions please email the American Reference Center: wellington.arc@state.gov 

Travel

• Where is the U.S. Embassy in Wellington? / U.S. Consulate in Auckland?
• Can I see a map of New Zealand? / The United States?
• Can you tell me about the numbers of New Zealanders visting the U.S.?
• Where can I find information on entering or living in New Zealand? / The United States?
• Can you please tell me something about New Zealand?
• How can I enter the Green Card Lottery?
• Do I need a Visa to travel to the U.S.?
• How do I seek redress for treatment received at port of entry as a result of being on the lookout list?
• Please tell me about the US-VISIT program (entry and exit procedures at U.S. air and seaports)
• Can you please tell me more about permanent residency?
• How do I get there? Where do I find a business?
• We want to get married in Las Vegas or Hawaii.
• What are the requirements for getting married in other parts of the U.S.?
• I would like to drive in the United States. Links to state DMVs and 'Driver Manuals'.
• Is it safe to travel to ......? State Dept. travel warnings
• Where do I find Travelers' Health Information/Health Travel Warnings?
• Where should I look for information on relocating to the United States?
• I would like to visit the U.S. Where can I find travel information? / Where can I find state Tourism & Visitors Bureaus?
• I would like to work at a Summer Camp in the USA. How do I contact CCUSA? or Camp America?
• How far is it from ...... to ......? Driving distances between selected U.S. cities.
• Can you tell me the distance between cities around the world?
• Can I bring my pet to New Zealand? / Am I able to take my pet to the U.S.? / How shall I get it there?
• How can I contact The White House?
• How can I support U.S. troops overseas?

 

Personal

• I need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). How do I get one?
• I have a question about Sales Taxes (for eg. can visitors to the U.S. get their sales tax refunded?)
• How do I ...? FAQs from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, including Adoption, Employment etc.
• How do I get in touch with the IRS? Tax Forms, Guides and Other Publications, etc.
• Who do I get in touch with if I have a Customs inquiry about importing or exporting goods?
• How can I obtain a copy of a birth / marriage / divorce / death certificate?
• Where do I get Reporting Forms and Filing Information for U.S. elections?
• How do I find a friend or relative in the U.S.?
• How can I find out about joining the U.S. military?
• What items can I take with me into the United States?
• Are there any tips and hints on how to be better prepared for my airport security check?
• Who do I contact about lost or damaged luggage or items I believe were removed from my luggage during an airport security check?
• Are my prescription or over-the-counter drugs approved in the U.S.? / Guidelines for traveling by air with prescription medications, medical conditions or disabilities
• Where can I find out about Social Security Administration services, benefits and payments if I am living outside the United States?
• I would like to temporarily import a firearm to the U.S. to participate in legitimate hunting or lawful sporting purposes. Who do I contact?
• How do I obtain a temporary import license to take my firearm to the U.S. for reasons other than legitimate hunting or lawful sporting purposes?
• How do I obtain a license to export a firearm from the U.S.? (U.S. citizens only) ( *PDF document)

 

History

• Can I find a text of The National Anthem?
• Can you tell me about the American Flag? / Flag Timeline
• Can you tell me about the Great Seal? ( *PDF document)/ The Constitution? / The Capitol?
• How does the American Government Work? - Our American Government (2000 edition)
• Can you tell me how many Presidents there have been? / Where can I find bios of U.S. Presidents?
• Where can I find speeches of U.S. Presidents? / More... / More...
• Who Writes Speeches for the President of the United States? / Where Can I find out about the Presidency, and First Ladies?
• Can you tell me about the Presidential Libraries?
• How many U.S. Presidents have visited New Zealand?
• Where can I find the eulogies/tributes at President Reagan's Funeral?
• Can You Tell me How Many Women Are in the U.S. Congress?
• I am looking for information about the 'invasion' of New Zealand by American forces in 1942. Where should I start?
• I am looking for U.S. military records. Where should I start?
• I am looking for a war veteran / retired / current military person. Where should I start?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statistics

• What is the current population of the United States?
• Where can I find information on the 50 states?
• Where can I find a good source for general statistics? and economic statistics?

General

• I would like to study in the U.S. Can Fulbright New Zealand's Education Advisor help me?
• Who is the present Surgeon General, America's chief health educator?
• How can I know whether an American university is legitimate and accredited?
• Where do I find the most recent Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (2005)?
• Where can I find a phone number?
• What's the area code listing for ......? / What's the Zip Code for this letter/parcel?
• What's the time in ......? / What's the weather like in ......?
• Can you tell me the dates of U.S. federal holidays?
• Where can I find information on the Statue of Liberty?
• Where can I find a text of the speech "I have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jnr.?
• Where can I find U.S. legislation? / Selected U.S. laws?
• How do U.S. clothes sizes compare to ours?
• Where can students, teachers, and parents access the best possible resources on the World Wide Web?
• What is a useful gateway to New Zealand Internet links and resources?
• Think of a question... eg. Who was the first president born after World War II?
• Where can I find the U.S. Government's Official 'Web Portal'?
• Where can I find general information about American society, political processes, official U.S. policies and culture?