The free embassy alerts worth adding to your inbox
The State Department’s STEP service sends destination updates and helps U.S. officials contact Americans in an emergency.
The essential point
STEP is a free State Department service for U.S. citizens and nationals abroad. It provides embassy updates and a way to share contact and travel details.
An overseas life comes with a new set of local information sources. One practical addition is the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP. It sends email updates and alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates.
What the service does
STEP is free. The State Department says it can provide destination information about health, weather, safety, and security, and help officials contact enrolled Americans in an emergency.
Make it part of your move
Keep your location and contact details current as your plans change. An email account you no longer check is not a useful place for an urgent message. When you settle somewhere new, review both your subscriptions and the embassy’s local information.
You can keep the embassy’s contact details with your other essential documents so that they are easy to find when needed. STEP is one information source alongside local authorities and official advice for your destination.
Use the State Department’s official enrollment page linked below to review the service and sign up.
Go to the source
- U.S. Department of State · Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ↗
- MyTravelGov · Official STEP enrollment ↗
Sources checked September 28, 2026. This article offers general information and editorial perspective, not individualized advice. Check the linked sources for changes and your circumstances. Sources and standards.