What is the Process for Extradition to the US from Another Country?

When U.S. law enforcement agencies seek a fugitive, the government, according to the Speedy Trial Act, must try to locate the defendant’s whereabouts as soon as possible and initiate extradition proceeding by contacting the Office of International Affairs (OIA) of the Department of Justice. The OIA assists Federal and State prosecutors with the international extradition procedure. The OIA will evaluate the extradition request and submit it to the U.S. Department of State.   There is no direct contact between U.S. prosecutors and their foreign counterparts.  The Department of State will send the extradition documents to the U.S. Embassy in the foreign country. The Embassy will present the requests to the local government, usually the foreign ministry. The local government will forward the extradition request to local courts that will decide the question of extradition.