Nicaragua Consulate in Houston, Texas: Office Closed
NOTICE: The Nicaragua Consulate in Houston has been CLOSED since January 2024 by decision of the Government of Nicaragua. The office no longer provides any consular services, and there is no address, phone number, or business hours in the city. There is no operating Nicaraguan office anywhere in the state of Texas.
No Nicaraguan consular service in Houston or Texas
Houston is home to one of the largest Nicaraguan communities in the United States, spread across areas such as Spring Branch, Gulfton, the southwest side of the city, and the suburbs of Harris and Fort Bend counties. For years, many families originally from Managua, León, Granada, or the Caribbean Coast came to the local office to handle passports, birth certificates, proof of life, and other documents. That point of reference is gone: since January 2024, the Government of Nicaragua closed the Houston consulate as part of a reduction of its consular network, leaving Texas without any operating Nicaraguan consular office.
This means that, as of today, there is no office to visit in Houston, no local phone number that answers, and no mobile outreach days announced anywhere in the state. The good news is that you still have options: some procedures can be started online through the Foreign Ministry, and in-person procedures are handled at the three consular offices that remain open in the United States. In the sections below, we explain step by step what to do now depending on the procedure you need.
What do I do now? Your options after the closure
If you live in Houston or anywhere else in Texas, these are the available ways to resolve your Nicaraguan consular procedure:
- First check whether your procedure can be done online: go to citas.cancilleria.gob.ni to book appointments, request apostilles, and make inquiries without leaving home. This is the recommended first step before planning any trip.
- Consular section in Washington, D.C.: the embassy handles consular procedures for Nicaraguans in the U.S. See the Washington, D.C. page
- Consulate General in Miami, FL: this is the most common option for those living in the southern and central parts of the country, including Texas. See the Miami page
- Consulate General in New York, NY: an alternative for in-person procedures that require an appointment. See the New York page
IMPORTANT: Almost all in-person procedures require an appointment. Book it before traveling at citas.cancilleria.gob.ni and confirm the current requirements; availability may change.
Frequently asked questions – Nicaragua Consulate in Houston
Is the Nicaragua Consulate in Houston still open?
No. The Nicaragua Consulate in Houston was closed by decision of the Government of Nicaragua in January 2024 and no longer provides any consular services. There is no operating Nicaraguan office anywhere in Texas, so there is no address or phone number to visit in Houston.
Where can Nicaraguans living in Texas handle their paperwork?
After the Houston closure, only three Nicaraguan consular offices remain open in the United States: the consular section in Washington, D.C., the Consulate General in Miami, and the Consulate General in New York. Those living in Texas usually go to Miami or New York, and must book an appointment in advance at citas.cancilleria.gob.ni.
Why was the Nicaraguan consulate in Houston closed?
The closure was part of a reduction of the consular network ordered by the Government of Nicaragua in early 2024, which shut down several offices in the United States, including the one in Houston. The decision was governmental and was not a move to another address within the city.
Can I renew my Nicaraguan passport from Houston without traveling?
Some procedures can be started online through citas.cancilleria.gob.ni and the Immigration (DGME) portal, but a passport normally requires you to appear in person for the capture of biometric data. That is why many Houston residents must schedule an appointment and travel to Miami or New York. Always confirm the requirements through official channels before traveling.
Are there mobile consulates or Nicaraguan outreach days in Texas?
At this time there are no announced outreach days or Nicaraguan mobile consulates in Houston or anywhere else in Texas. Services are concentrated in the three open offices (Washington, D.C., Miami, and New York) and in the Foreign Ministry's online channels. Any updates should be verified through the official sources of the Government of Nicaragua.
What do I do in a consular emergency if I am in Houston?
If you are a Nicaraguan in Houston facing an emergency (detention, hospitalization, or the death of a relative), you should contact one of the operating consular offices, preferably Miami or New York due to proximity, or reach out through the Foreign Ministry's channels at citas.cancilleria.gob.ni. Keep copies of your identity documents on hand to speed up assistance.