Emergency numbers

This page brings together emergency numbers for Turks living in or traveling to the United States. You will find how to use 911, poisoning and mental health crisis lines, other national helplines, and the duty phone numbers of Turkish missions. Save the numbers to your phone now; do not waste time looking for a number during an emergency.

• 911 is the single emergency number for police, fire departments, and ambulances throughout the United States.
• An emergency is any situation that requires the immediate arrival of the police, fire department, or an ambulance.
• The operator will ask you questions one by one. Have the following information ready:
  • the location of the incident: street address; apartment or room number if you are in a large building
  • the number of the phone you are calling from
  • what happened
  • details such as the injured person's symptoms, the condition of the fire, or the suspect's description
• Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. Many 911 centers provide step-by-step instructions for first aid or CPR until help arrives.
• Do not hang up even if you called by mistake. If you hang up, an emergency may be assumed and a team may be sent to your address. Tell the operator what happened.
• Phones without service: Mobile phones without an active service plan can also call 911. However, your location is not transmitted to the center on these calls, and the center cannot call you back.
• For someone in another state: 911 calls generally cannot be transferred to another city or state. Call the 10-digit number of the law-enforcement agency where help is needed. This number is listed on that agency's website.
• Internet phone (VoIP): Register your service with your provider using your physical address. Report your new address when you move; otherwise, the 911 center cannot locate you.
• If you do not speak English: do not hang up and state your language in English ("Turkish"). Keep the English spelling of your address ready on your phone or on paper.

• Texting 911 is possible only in some areas. The rule is: call if you can call; text if you cannot call. A voice call provides more information to the 911 center.
• If you text 911 in an area where the service is unavailable, your carrier will automatically send a "bounce-back" message. This message says that your text was not delivered and that you should contact 911 another way, such as by voice call.
• Apps that exchange messages only among their own users or through social media are not required to deliver texts to 911. Use a regular text message (SMS).
• If you are deaf or have a speech disability and text service is unavailable in your area, use TTY or a telecommunications relay service.
• You can find out whether the service is available in your area from the FCC's list, updated monthly.

• Do not call 911 for non-emergency matters. The line must remain available for real emergencies.
• 211: an information line that connects people to social services such as housing, food, health care, and mental health services. Calls and texts go to a call center in your area; specialists direct you to the appropriate agency.
  • According to the FCC, 211 covers all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico and reaches approximately 99% of the population.
  • The line also serves people who do not speak English and newcomers.
• 311: a municipal services and general information line in some cities. It is not available everywhere.
• Police non-emergency number: for matters such as noise complaints or reporting a past burglary, call the number listed on the website of your city's or county's law-enforcement agency. Do not call 911 to find this number.

• +1 800 222 1222. It connects you to your local poison control center. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; it is free and confidential. It is available in all 50 states.
• The phone is answered by a pharmacist, nurse, doctor, or specialist specially trained in poisoning. Interpreter support is available in 161 languages.
• You can call not only in an emergency but also to ask whether a product or medication is harmful.
• If possible, have the following ready when calling:
  • the person's age, weight, and known medical conditions
  • the product's package or bottle (the label contains important information)
  • how the product made contact (swallowing, inhalation, skin, or eyes) and when it happened
  • first aid provided and whether the person vomited
  • your location and how soon you can reach a hospital
• If medication was swallowed, do not give the person anything by mouth before speaking with a specialist.
• Inhalation: immediately move to fresh air, then call.
• Skin and eyes: remove clothing contaminated by the poison. Rinse the skin or eye with running water for 15–20 minutes, then call.
• Do not give activated charcoal on your own. The poison control center will decide whether it is needed.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: in case of suicidal thoughts, a mental health crisis, or a substance-use crisis, call 988 or text 988. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is confidential.
• You will be connected to trained crisis counselors. More than 200 crisis centers support the line; it is supported by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Live chat is also available at 988lifeline.org. Video calls in sign language are available for people who are deaf.
• For Spanish, call 988 and press 2. Veterans and service members can call 988 and press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line.
• The former number, +1 800 273 8255, also reaches this line.
• Post-disaster mental health support: Disaster Distress Helpline +1 800 985 5990.
• If there is an immediate danger to life, call 911.

• Domestic violence: National Domestic Violence Hotline +1 800 799 7233 (1-800-799-SAFE). For your rights and immigration options, see 7.7 Domestic violence.
• Child abuse: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline +1 800 422 4453 (call or text). Crisis counselors provide service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 170 languages; calls are confidential.
• Human trafficking: call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at +1 888 373 7888 or text "HELP" or "INFO" to 233733. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is operated by a nongovernmental organization with federal funding; it is not a law-enforcement or immigration authority.
  • For crime reports, ICE's tip line: +1 866 347 2423; from outside the United States, +1 802 872 6199. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Disaster assistance (FEMA): +1 800 621 3362 for applications and eligibility questions. Press 3 for languages other than English. 711 or video relay service (VRS) may be used.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Consular Call Center (24 hours a day, 7 days a week): +1 888 566 7656 from the United States and Canada, +90 312 292 29 29 from other countries.
  • It provides information about military service, passports, civil registry, marriage, citizenship, notary services, visas, and travel warnings.
  • Service is available in Turkish and seven foreign languages.
• Duty (emergency) phone numbers: these numbers reach the mission in emergencies outside business hours.
  • Embassy of Türkiye in Washington — Washington, DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland
    • Duty phone: +1 202 304 3889
    • Main line: +1 202 612 6700
  • Consulate General of Türkiye in New York — New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware
    • Duty phone: +1 646 204 0011
    • Main line: +1 212 351 7200
  • Consulate General of Türkiye in Chicago — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
    • Duty phone: +1 773 386 3213
    • Main line: +1 312 263 0644
  • Consulate General of Türkiye in Houston — Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee
    • Duty phone: +1 832 774 1861
    • Main line: +1 346 439 6560
  • Consulate General of Türkiye in Los Angeles — California, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Pacific islands (Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa)
    • Duty phone: +1 310 779 3288
    • Main line: +1 424 313 8800
  • Consulate General of Türkiye in Boston — Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
    • Duty phone: +1 857 207 9284
    • Main line: +1 857 250 4700
  • Consulate General of Türkiye in Miami — Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico
    • Duty phone: +1 305 646 8208
    • Main line: +1 786 655 0315
• For addresses, working hours, and honorary consulates, see 11.1 Turkish missions in the United States and their jurisdictions.

• U.S. Department of State emergency assistance line (for U.S. citizens abroad, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week): +1 888 407 4747 from the United States and Canada, +1 202 501 4444 from abroad. Lost or stolen U.S. passports can also be reported at these numbers.
• Emergency involving a U.S. citizen in Türkiye (death, arrest, health problem):
  • U.S. Embassy Ankara: +90 312 294 00 00. This number can also be called outside business hours and from outside Türkiye.
  • U.S. Consulate General Istanbul: +90 212 335 90 00
  • U.S. Consulate Adana: +90 322 455 41 00
  • Have the person's name, date of birth, and passport number ready when calling.
• In case of an accident, fire, or medical emergency in Türkiye, call 112 or text 112. According to the U.S. Embassy, English interpreter service is available.

• Calling 911 by mistake and hanging up immediately.
• Calling 911 for non-emergency matters or asking 911 for the police non-emergency number.
• Giving old phones without service to children as toys. These phones can call 911; remove the battery.
• Failing to update the address after moving when using an internet phone (VoIP).
• Calling a consulate's duty phone for an appointment or passport question.
• Giving anything by mouth or using activated charcoal in a poisoning case without consulting a specialist.
• Failing to save emergency numbers to your phone in advance.

• What is the 911 charge on my phone bill? State and local governments collect this fee through phone companies to fund 911 centers.
• Can I text 911? Yes, in some areas. Still, call if you can call. If the service is unavailable, you will receive an automatic "bounce-back" message.
• Is the poison control line only for children? No. People of all ages and health-care workers can call. You can also call just to ask a question.
• Can I speak Turkish at the Consular Call Center? Yes. The call center provides information in Turkish and seven foreign languages.
• Can I call 911 for my mother who lives in another state? 911 calls generally cannot be transferred to another state. Call the 10-digit number of the law-enforcement agency where your mother is located.
• What is the emergency number while I am in Türkiye? 112. U.S. citizens in Türkiye can also call the U.S. Embassy.

• Text to 911 guide (PDF)
• 988 Crisis Line fact sheet (PDF)
• Poison Help – Safe medication use brochure (PDF)
• Poison Help – Safe home against poisoning (PDF)
• 911.gov – Frequently asked questions about 911
• FCC – 211 line
• Consular appointment system