Is the american embassy in another country considered as being american soil?

Question

can legal papers be served on an american citizen living in another country at the american embassy of that country and therefore would it not be considered as the papers having been served on american soil?

Answer 1

I work in the US Embassy in Tajikistan. If you wanted to serve me papers how would you do it? A local process server? Good luck, he'd not get past the front gate. And if I went out to meet him what if he is needed to go to court to swear he served me?

Now, the flip side is that if you have a legal gripe with a person overseas in an Embassy, believe me having legal issues can mess up your employment. Call the Department of State and mention the legal issues involved. If it is a big deal type of case maybe the person will go home for a few weeks to settle it all.

Hey, am I the one you want to serve? :-O

Answer 2

No, the US embassy is not considered "US soil."  That's an old myth that just will not die.  The sovereignty of an embassy or consulate is governed by international diplomatic agreements and treaties.

Answer 3

All countries within American soil (i.e American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico etc) do not have US embassies as they are still part of the US. If you are served papers while in these countries, it would count as have being served in the US as you are still within the sovereignty of the US. If you are served in a country outside of US soil (e.g Canada, the Philippines, Samoa etc) then they are counted as not being served on US territory.