Applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Consular Report of Birth Abroad 

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a document that serves as proof of U.S. citizenship for a child born in a foreign country to at least one U.S. citizen parent. It is the foundational document for obtaining a U.S. passport for the child. CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday. It is recommended to apply for the child’s CRBA as soon as possible after birth. The child must be born to at least one U.S. citizen parent that meets the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). 

CRBA Requirements

The following list outlines the requirements and eligibility to apply for a child’s CRBA, based on the parent’s marital and citizenship status;

• A child born in wedlock to two parents who are U.S. citizens or one parent is not a citizen, but a U.S. national; 

• At least one parent resides in the U.S. or its territories before the child is born 

• At least one parent has a genetic or gestational connection to the child

• Both parents in marriage show parental relationship to the child (i.e. medical, tax, education documents that show parental role)

• A child born in wedlock to a parent who is a U.S. citizen and a parent who is a foreign national;

• The U.S. parent was physically present in the U.S. or its territories for five years before the child was born. At least two of these years must be after age 14.

• At least one parent resides in the U.S. or its territories before the child is born 

• At least one parent has a genetic or gestational connection to the child

• Both parents in marriage show parental relationship to the child (i.e. medical, tax, education documents that show parental role)

• A child born out of wedlock to two parents who are U.S. citizens;

• The U.S. citizen father:

→ has a blood relationship with the child established by evidence

→ was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth

→ agreed in writing to provide financial support for the child until the age of 18

→ Father acknowledges paternity of child in writing or under oath, or a competent   court established the paternity. 

• At least one parent resided in the U.S. or its territories before the child was born

• If the U.S. father does not follow these requirements the child can obtain citizenship if the U.S. citizen mother was physically present in the U.S. or its territories for a continuous period of one year before the child’s birth.

• A child born out of wedlock to a father who is a U.S. citizen;

•  The U.S. citizen father:

→ has a blood relationship with the child established by evidence

→ was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth

→ agreed in writing to provide financial support for the child until the age of 18

→ Father acknowledges paternity of child in writing or under oath, or a competent   court established the paternity. 

• The U.S. father was physically present in the U.S. or its territories for five years before the child was born. At least two of these years must be after age 14.

• A child born out of wedlock to a mother who is a U.S. citizen;

• A child born before June 11th 2017 will obtain citizenship if

→ A U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth 

→ Physically present in the United States or its territories for a continuous period of one year before the child’s birth.

• A child born on or after June 11th 2017 will obtain citizenship if 

→ A U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth

→ Physically present in the United States or its territories for a period of five years. At least two of these years must be after age 14.

Applying for the CRBA

Step 1: 

• Complete the eCRBA application through MyTravelGov

• Apply for the child’s first passport by completing the DS-11 form 

• Print the form but do not sign it until asked to at your child’s appointment

• Apply for a social security number if your child is under 5 

• In the case of applying for a SSN, you must submit a statement that includes the phrase, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that the following is true and correct: My child (child’s name) has never been issued a social security number by the Social Security Administration.”

Step 2: Assemble documents; 

• Child’s U.S. passport photo 

• Evidence of the U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence in the U.S. 

• The child’s birth certificate 

• Proof of parent(s) U.S. citizenship

• If one parent is not a U.S. citizen, then bring their passport or other government issued photo ID

• If child’s parents are married, bring marriage certificate

• If any of the parents have been married in the past, bring original divorce decree or death certificate 

• Bring foreign passport of child if they were issued a passport from a different nationality 

• Return delivery envelope up to 500 grams 

Step 3: 

• Pay eCRBA and passport fees 

• Child under 16 will cost $135 for the passport application 

• Child aged 16 or 17 will cost $165 for the passport application

• Pay online and print confirmation to bring to the appointment, or alternatively pay at the appointment (Cash or Credit/Debit card is accepted)

After completing steps 1 through 3, the parent may request an appointment with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country they are residing in. The parent(s) and child will attend the appointment, bringing original documents (including photocopies single-sided). All documents should be in English. If a custodial parent is unable to attend the appointment they must submit a notarized DS-3053 form, which is a statement of consent. The notarized DS-3035 document may be no older than three months old at the time of the interview. The DS-3035 must be notarized at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, local notary public cannot notarize that form. Once all forms have been submitted and the interview has been conducted the CRBA and first passport processing and delivery will take approximately four weeks (give or take more weeks on a case to case basis). The SSN will be sent to the parent directly from the Social Security Administration. 

We Can Help You Today!

At Blue Lake Law, we have experience guiding clients through the CRBA process. No matter what immigration problems you might be facing, we understand how critical precision and speed are to your case. 

We’ll help you determine your child’s eligibility, gather the required documentation, prepare you for your interview, and prepare any necessary forms, ensuring that your petition is submitted correctly and efficiently. At Blue Lake Law we take pride in clear & effective communication with our clients and U.S. immigration services.

Contact us today to help you get started applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for your child.