Micheala Sharp

Research Paper: Consulates and their histories

Introduction
People have travelled for as long as they have existed going from
one place to the next. Yet, as society became more complex as families
turned into communities, towns, and then nations; travelling and
communicating changed. The social constructs that people built to
govern one another were vastly different than those of other nations.
Thus the need for embassies and consuls arrived, and their role
changed as society travelled and became more interconnected. No
longer is a single person limited to the confines of their communities.
Rather people explore other nations often forming bonds to another
countrys people: in romance, business, or just tourism. Therefore
consuls, initially, were a part of the world diplomatic system but as that
system grew more complex it became its own distinctive branch of
international government that generally handles with citizens and
commercial concerns; while, embassies deal with larger interstate
concerns.

Origins of Consulates
The first indications of a consulate can be tracked as far back
as ancient times. Messengers in Ancient Egypt would have immunity in
the foreign lands they travelled within just to relay messages, which is
where the colloquial phrase dont kill the messenger derives1.
1 Berridge, Geoff. "Chapter 14: Diplomacy." In Diplomacy: Theory and
Practice. London: Prentice Hall/Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1995. p 2.

Micheala Sharp
Research Paper: Consulates and their histories
Additionally the Armana tablets, which date back to 1460-1200 B.C,
illustrate the commercial exchanges between people in the Middle
East2. And in the Ancient Greece there were citizens who lived in
another area who would act on the behalf of their home country and
they were called proxenos. Yet, the more solidified institution of
consulates can be attributed to Italy in the late 15th century. Their
embassies handled a large amount of duties, but the important aspect
of them, which separated them from their ancient counterparts, are
that these are permanent residential institutions. Whereby the
diplomat is not just relaying a message but is staying in an office in a
foreign city to perform services for the exchange between the two
cities. Thus this trend continued as countries began to have a
representative body abroad3.
Yet the Italian model evolved into something different once more
nations began to centralize and seek more representation abroad. The
ceremonial and bearcat of nations got complicated, the difference
between a leader in Prussia versus France for instance. And, once an
important leader came into town everyone would know and therefore
extra precautions would need to be taken. Therefore, more countries
adopted more permanent representative bodies because it was
convenient; it reduced unnecessary travel and made matters easier to
2 Berridge, Geoff. "Chapter 14: Diplomacy." In Diplomacy: Theory and
Practice. p 4.
3 Berridge, Geoff. "Chapter 14: Diplomacy." In Diplomacy: Theory and
Practice. p 5.

Micheala Sharp
Research Paper: Consulates and their histories
deal with. But, messengers would still be sent back and forth and
matters were still complicated an unexpected outcome emerged from
permanent consulates. That was the cross cultural exchanges that
occurred making it easier for two countries to understand each other
and better navigate language, culture, legalities, and business with
one another4.
Diplomacy evolved throughout the 16th 19th century but remained a
secretive affair reserved only for the highest members of society.
Specifically the organization of Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Europe
in the 17th century and none European nations followed after, e.i the
State Department in the U.S. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the
national body that oversees both embassies and consulates and other
organizations that fall in-between those. The separation between
embassies and consulates were gradual and depended on the specific
country. But in all there is a separation between consuls and diplomats
but their goal remains to foster connections between the people of
their home country and another foreign country. These connections
fall between citizens, businesses, and government entities. The lines
are blurred and messy sometimes given the complexity of the
international system.

Consular Duties Today

4 Berridge, Geoff. "Chapter 14: Diplomacy." In Diplomacy: Theory and
Practice. p 6.

Micheala Sharp
Research Paper: Consulates and their histories
Consulates handle a variety of duties and it is slightly different
depending on the country. But for the sake of continuity the duties
listed are the ones that the Egyptian Consulate in Chicago offers:
Continuation of Marital Status Affidavit, Marriage Legalization,
Settlement of Military Service Status, Death Certificates, Crime Record
Reports, Legalization of Commercial Documents, Egyptian Travel
Documents for Palestinian Nationals, Dual Citizenship Approval,
National ID Cards, Power Of Attorney and Authorization Documents,
Divorce Legalization, Tourist and Business Visas, Birth Certificates, and
Passports. Outside of the listed consular duties there are also services
to the private sector in the US that want to work in Egypt and
community connections with the Egyptian community. The consulate
provides a large array of services to both American and Egyptian
citizens5. A large amount of getting these services taken care of is
multiple stamps of approval, signatures, and paperwork. Although it
does not sound important when it comes to relationships between two
different countries it is important to have documentation of all actions.
Therefore if there is any dispute as to what a person is doing they will
have the documentation to refute it. Additionally some of this
documentation is required for a person to travel and be able to do what
they please between the two countries. Besides helping Egyptian

5 "Consulate of Egypt in Chicago - Consular Services." Consular

Services. Accessed July 8, 2015.
http://www.egyptinchicago.org/consular-services.html.

Micheala Sharp
Research Paper: Consulates and their histories
citizens the consulate is a place for American citizen who wish to travel
to Egypt as well. The importance of visiting the consulate under those
circumstances is not all about paperwork but also learning about the
culture of the people in Egypt before travelling to such foreign land,
and clearing up any misconceptions a person may have about it6.
Conclusion
Consulates serve as checkpoints for people who wish to travel and do
things between two countries. The important thing about them is that
they offer a face and information of the practices of a foreign country
while also gaining an understanding of the country that they work in. In
a time of immense globalization and connections among people that
are unprecedented the role of the consulate is even more important.
As older modes of diplomacy and foreign affairs are phased out for
newer technology and agencies the need for an organization to help
people and organizations decipher through all of the changes,
paperwork, and formalities is ever necessary. Besides being a service
to multiple community consulates offer a more concrete example of
how beneficial cross cultural exchanges and communications are.
Instead of living alone, isolated in our respective communities,
consulates are a part of the system that aids in keeping peace,

6 "Consular Services | Embassy of Egypt, Washington DC." Embassy of

Egypt Washington DC. Accessed July 8, 2015.
http://www.egyptembassy.net/consular-services/.

Micheala Sharp
Research Paper: Consulates and their histories
stability, and connections between nations that are immensely
different from one another.

Bibliography
Berridge, Geoff. "Chapter 14: Diplomacy." In Diplomacy: Theory and
Practice. London: Prentice Hall/Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1995.
"Consular Services | Embassy of Egypt, Washington DC." Embassy of
Egypt Washington DC. Accessed July 8, 2015.
http://www.egyptembassy.net/consular-services/.
"Consulate of Egypt in Chicago - Consular Services." Consular Services.
Accessed July 8, 2015. http://www.egyptinchicago.org/consularservices.html.