<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The office of a consul is termed a consulate, and is usually subordinate to the state's main representation in that foreign country, usually an embassy, or High Commission between Commonwealth countries, in the capital city of the host state . Like the term embassy, the word consulate may refer not only to the office of consul, but also to the building occupied by the consul and his or her staff . The consulate may share premises with the embassy itself . </P> <P> A consul of the highest rank is termed a consul - general, and his or her office a consulate - general . He or she typically has one or several deputy consuls - general, consuls, vice-consuls and consular agents working under the consul - general . Consulates - general need not have their offices in the capital city . Many are in important or appropriate cities in terms of bilateral relations (commerce, travel, etc .) In the United States, for example, most countries have a consulate - general in New York City (the home of the United Nations), and some have consulates - general in several major cities . The same is the case for other large countries like Germany, the Russian Federation, Canada, Brazil and Australia . </P> <P> Consuls of various ranks may have specific legal authority for certain activities, such as notarizing documents . As such, diplomatic personnel with other responsibilities may receive consular letters patent (commissions). Aside from those outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, there are few formal requirements outlining what a consular official must do . For example, for some countries, consular officials may be responsible for the issue of visas; other countries may limit "consular services" to providing assistance to compatriots, legalization of documents, etc . Nonetheless, consulates proper will be headed by consuls of various ranks, even if such officials have little or no connection with the more limited sense of consular service . </P>

What is the difference between consul and consul general
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