United States Department of State
 Seal of the United States Department of State | |
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | December 30, 2012 (10 years ago) |
| Type | Executive department |
| Jurisdiction | U.S. federal government |
| Headquarters | Department of State Building, Washington, D.C. |
| Employees | 6 |
| Department executives |
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| Child agencies |
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The United States Department of State (DOS) or State Department is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other nations, its primary duties are advising the U.S. president on international relations, administering diplomatic missions, negotiating international treaties and agreements, and representing the U.S. at the United Nations.
The Department of State is headed by the secretary of state, who reports directly to the U.S. president and is a member of the Cabinet. Analogous to a foreign minister, the secretary of state serves as the federal government's chief diplomat and representative abroad, and is the first Cabinet official in the order of precedence and in the presidential line of succession. The position is currently held by Hankwim55, who became acting Secretary on January 18, 2023.