The United States recognized the newly formed nation and commissioned its first envoy to the kingdom on July 17, 1919.

Towards the end of the 1930s, the diplomatic relations between Belgrade and Washington were raised from ministerial to the ambassadorial level.

During that time the U.S. ambassadors continued to represent the United States in London and Cairo.

A series of chargés d'affaires represented the U.S. government until 1999, when the embassy was closed.

In 2001 the United States recognized the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and commissioned an ambassador to Belgrade.