FCO Information Guide
Information available on the FCO website
The FCO publishes the majority of its information on the FCO website. You can use the search facility at the top of this page to find the information you are looking for.
Below is a summary of the type of information you will find on the FCO website:
Our key publications, such as Annual reports, Foreign Affairs Committee responses, Public consultations and Research papers. | |
Details and documents relating to the FCO's Strategy, covering themes such as:
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Information on our challenging and significant objectives. Including information relating to meeting our targets, managing risk, and how we spend our budget. | |
Including information relating to what we do, how we are organised (including information about our Minister, the Permanent Under Secretary and the FCO Board) and working for us. There is also information about our missions overseas, our history and buildings, and Diversity in the FCO. | |
The FCO has in-house historians who assist both the public and FCO staff. Their historical papers cover subjects as diverse as Nazi gold, slavery and diplomacy and history of the FCO, and they also publish a number of historical documents from our substantial archives. | |
The latest and archived press releases, ministerial speeches and Press Office contact details. | |
We have knowledgeable experts who keep detailed profiles of every country worldwide, which includes facts and figures, geography, recent history, current politics, economic trends, and commercial and political relations with the UK | |
Includes comprehensive travel advice, as well as information relating to passports, entry requirements, staying safe and healthy abroad, and what to do if things go wrong. There is also information about the Know Before You Go campaign, and a range of publications to download and order. | |
Information relating to doing business in the UK, doing business overseas and support from our embassies overseas, export controls and sanctions. |
Information in Arabic and Urdu
Information available from British Missions overseas
A large amount of the FCO's information is available from the websites of our embassies and other posts. Some are also translated into local language. You can find a list of all our embassies and other posts overseas on the FCO website, where you will also find contact details of each post and a link to their website.
FCO Bloggers
FCO Bloggers is a blog space provides a place for Ministers and officials to engage in a dialogue with you about international affairs and the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Latest photos and videos
View the latest FCO photos and videos on the FCO's Youtube and Flickr channels
FCO Services information
FCO Services is a trading fund of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. FCO Services delivers a unique combination of secure business to business services to the FCO in the UK and at its missions overseas, other UK government departments and public bodies, friendly foreign governments and private sector organisations. From their website you can get information relating to FCO Services, including key documents such as reports and terms of reference. You will also find information relating to their services, and jobs careers with FCO Services. If you cannot find the information you seek on the FCO Services website, you can request it from the FCO.
Offical Documents website
The Official Documents website is the official reference facility for Command and departmentally sponsored House of Commons Papers. From May 2005 onwards, all Command Papers and House of Commons Papers, as well as Key Departmental Papers, are available for free on the site in PDF format. All documents can be viewed online and printed out. You can also search for documents to quickly find what you are looking for.
Original copies of reports found on this site can be bought from TSO's Parliamentary and Legal Bookshop.
Information over 30 years old
The FCO holds unpublished material for a period of thirty years. After this date the files will be assessed for confidentiality and relevancy. If the files are 'unclassified' then they are sent to The National Archives (TNA). If you seek information that is older than 30 years old, please first check if it is available to view at TNA. If you cannot find the information you a seeking, you may request it from the FCO under the Freedom of Information Act.
FCO Library collections
Some types of information, such as information about family members who used to work for the FCO/Colonial Office/India Office/Diplomatic Service, or family members born overseas from the Colonial period, are available from The National Archives, the British Library and other sources. Please check the frequently asked questions on the FCO website to find out how to obtain this type of information.
If you are unable to find the information you wish to see, you may want to request it under the Freedom of Information Act. Please see our Request Information pages for guidance.