Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Anybody ever use this ? The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service for U.S. citizens and nationals who are traveling or living abroad. STEP allows you to enter information about trips abroad so that the Department of State, via our embassies and consulates, can better assist you in an emergency. You can also subscribe to receive email updates with travel alerts and other information for a particular country.
Typically we don’t bother but for an upcoming trip we’re visiting a couple of countries in the Middle East where because of her job my wife has to inform the US Embassy of her presence. She has to list her traveling companions so I get caught up in that requirement. I guess it can’t hurt and in our specific case we have no choice.