The word Consul derives from the Latin "Consulere," which means to advise, or to attend. The consulate is an institution that even claims its own Roman god: "Consus," God of the counselors, is said to bestow his protective divinity on the consulate. 

Originally, among the Romans, the word "Consul” applied to high-ranking judges whose authority came to replace that of the kings when the Republic of Rome was inaugurated.  In the provinces such judges received the designation of “Pro-consul.” 

During the first two centuries of the Roman Empire, consuls presided over the Senate with substantial powers. Over time, however, the consulate became a more honorary or ceremonial title.  Roman Emperors used to distinguish their favorites by appointing them consuls, which soon came to be the denomination of a high social class. 

From the time of Caesar, the term Consul fell into disuse. And it is from the epoch of Justinian that the Consul comes to be more of an ambassador. In France, when Napoleon Bonaparte dissolved the Parliament, the Consul reappeared as an administrative and political institution.

The consular function has been in existence for a long time.  Some institutions of the past, such as the Pretor Wandering, the Talonarii, Echevines, Prebostes, Bailios, and Aldermen, among others, were analogous in their functions to consulates, including those performed by honorary consuls. But, no historic linkage exists among them. 

Recently, the consular institution has evolved. The general intensification of international diplomacy has once again made the consul an essential figure, and at the same time has caused the role of the consulate to become more regulated and standardized.  This evolution has led to the inclusion of consular clauses in treaties of trade, commerce, navigation, peace and cooperation, and travel, among others.  Many international agreements today include bilateral consular covenants.

One only needs to look at the many international conferences and treaties that have revolved around the importance of consulates to see how the consul’s role has evolved:  the Lima convention of 1848; the Caracas Agreement on Consuls of July 18^th, 1911; the Convention on Consular Agents of Havana dated the 20^th of February, 1928; the European Covenant on Consular Functions of December 11, 1967, and especially the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations dated April 24, 1963. 

The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, though it remains controversial today, recognized that honorary consuls, which had been extensively utilized in the past, constituted an efficient instrument in the maintenance of international relations. Therefore, honorary consuls exist in almost every country in the world, including the United States.

For a large number of nations, it is of great benefit to appoint either nationals or foreign persons as honorary consuls.  Those appointed are usually known for their honor and prestige, in many cases occupying a distinguished position in commerce, industry, or financial services in the local community where they are appointed. Such honorary consuls are known for their ability to maintain good relations with the authorities of the region in which they serve, because those qualities guarantee the performance of the charge with dignity and capacity.  '

The Vienna Convention gives a facultative character to the honorary consular institution. The Vienna Convention states in article 68 that “every State will be able to freely decide if it should name or receive honorary consular officials.”  The Convention does not define the honorary consul. It is assumed that the character of a honorary consul should be interpreted according to tradition, and that being under the service of a diplomatic mission or general consulate, their action is of limited character, because their functions are delegated by the diplomatic officials or career consuls. Such functions can be expanded or reduced according to the needs of service. 

Honorary consuls are not public officials, nor are they paid for their consular services. Therefore, honorary consuls can work in any profession or be dedicated to any industrial, commercial or financial activity in the country in which they reside. 

The honorary consul is not a beneficiary of the diplomatic immunities and prerogatives that the career diplomat benefits from. Thus, the honorary consul does not enjoy immunity from arrest or from preventive detention, not even for crimes that are not considered serious; not are they exempt from other obligations they might have as residents of the countries in which they serve. Taking into consideration that it is a function of the consul to promote friendly relations  between their nations, they must respect the laws and regulations of the receiver state. It is only natural that the state that has appointed the honorary consul would find it essential to respect the authorities, laws and regulations of the Receiver State.