22 CFR § 5.5Chapter I

§ 5.5. The Foreign Affairs Manual and the Foreign Affairs Handbook.

Primary source

Verbatim text below is from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the current version with the eCFR before relying on it for any legal matter.

Full Text

https://fam.state.gov/.The Department articulates official guidance, including procedures and policies, on matters relating to Department management and personnel in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) and the Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAH) series. Some of these directives are promulgated pursuant to statute, such as the Secretary of State's authority to prescribe regulations for the Foreign Service as provided in Section 206 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 3926. The FAMs and FAHs that are publicly available are located on the Department's public website, at

eCFR data current as of: June 10, 2026

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.