Is a child born to Canadian mother and U.S. citizen father eligible for a passport?

Questions pertaining to passport eligibility for a 10-year-old child born in Canada to a Canadian mother. Mother and child have resided in Canada for 10 years. Parents of child never wed. Father is U.S. citizen, residing in U.S. and a non-custodial parent. Mother gives full cooperation and consent to application.

Question: Is the child eligible for a passport based solely upon parentage by a U.S. citizen father?

Answer: Your child possesses U.S. citizenship by birthright as long as 1) you can present clear and convincing evidence of paternity and 2) the U.S. citizen father was physically present in the United States for a period of at least 5 year before the child's birth.

Question: Must a child be a resident of the U.S. to be eligible and, if so, for how long before applying?

Answer: No, it is not necessary for your child to reside in the United States in order to obtain a U.S. passport. It is only necessary that the child possess U.S. citizenship in order to obtain an American passport.

Question: What documents are acceptable proof of a child's U.S. residency?

Answer: Evidence of residency is not required.

Question: Is a custody agreement necessary for proof of child's residency and, if so, must custody by the resident father be full custody or is shared custody sufficient? Thank you.

Answer: If you have sole legal custody, then the father's consent is not required. If you have shared custody, then you must submit notarized consent from the father in order to get the passport.

Click the link below for a list of locations where you can apply for your child's U.S. passport in Canada.

U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada