The Government of American Samoa - The World Countries

American Samoa - Government

Based on the etymolgy of American Samoa, it was the name's meaning and origin are unclear; some assert that it can mean "place of the moa bird" of Polynesian mythology, or it could be a local chieftain's name. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano

National symbols

Southern Cross constellation (five five-pointed stars).

The flag

The National flag of American Samoa has .

The National Anthem

Title
Lyric/music

More about the government of American Samoa

Constitution
Date of Independence	1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday	Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962)
Legal system	mixed system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts involving fundamental citizen rights
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	Several previous (pre-independence); latest 1 January 1962
Amendment process	Proposed as an act by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the third reading, provided at least 90 days have elapsed since the second reading, and assent of the chief of state; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles on customary land or constitutional amendment procedures also requires at least two-thirds majority approval in a referendum
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa
Dual citizenship recognized	no
Residency requirement for naturalization	5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017)
Head of government	Prime Minister La'auli Leuatea SCHMIDT (since 16 September 2025)
Cabinet	Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the advice of the prime minister
Election/appointment process	chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (2-term limit); following legislative elections, the chief of state usually appoints the leader of the majority party as prime minister, with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
Most recent election date	23 August 2022
Election results	TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (independent) unanimously reelected by the Legislative Assembly
Expected date of next election	2026
Legislative branch
Legislature name	Legislative Assembly (Fono)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	51 (all directly elected)
Electoral system	Plurality/majority
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	5 years
Most recent election date	8/29/2025
Parties elected and seats per party	Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) (32); Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) (22)
Percentage of women in chamber	13%
Expected date of next election	August 2030
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 2 Supreme Court judges and meets once or twice a year); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several judges)
Judge selection and term of office	Chief justice appointed by the chief of state on the advice of the prime minister; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general and an appointee of the Minister of Justice; judges normally serve until retirement at age 68
Subordinate courts	District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village chief councils
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Pa’olelei LUTERU (since 7 July 2021); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
Chancery	685 Third Avenue, 44th Street, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017
Telephone	[1] (212) 599-6196
FAX	[1] (212) 599-0797
Email address and website	[email protected] About \| Samoa Permanent Mission to the United Nations
Consulate(s) general	Pago Pago (American Samoa)
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	The US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa
Embassy	5th Floor, Accident Corporation Building, Matafele Apia
Mailing address	4400 Apia Place, Washington DC 20521-4400
Telephone	[685] 21-436
FAX	[685] 22-030
Email address and website	[email protected] https://ws.usembassy.gov/