Consular Report of Birth Abroad for
United States Passport
As soon as Ben and Marci discovered they were expecting their first
child, they began rearranging their lives for an extended stay in Costa
Rica. They would move to Costa Rica two months before their due date,
have the birth in that country, and remain there until the legal
paperwork was completed that guaranteed their child Costa Rican
citizenship.
Ben and Marci are not alone. This new trend in childbirth,
where expectant parents strategically plan their child's birth in a
country other than their home country, is gaining in popularity. The
overriding reason is to set their child up with dual citizenship from
birth, including a second passport. Several countries in North,
Central, and South America offer jus soli, birthright by soil, which
automatically grants citizenship to a baby born in that country.
Advantages can include more affordable and often better health care, a
college education that doesn't break the bank, greater travel freedom,
and sometimes a lower tax liability, among others.
What is a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)?
If your child is born abroad for whatever reason, it is crucial
that you apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of
the United States of America (CRBA) from the American embassy or
consulate in that country to establish your child's U.S. citizenship as
soon as possible. According to the laws of the United States, a CRBA is
proof of U.S. citizenship in the same way that a birth certificate in
the United States is proof of U.S. citizenship.
If you're both U.S. citizens when your child is born abroad,
and you're legally married, your baby acquires U.S. citizenship at
birth. One of you must have lived in the U.S. prior to your child's
birth, but there's no length of residency requirement. If one of you is
a U.S. citizen, but the other parent is not, and you are married, your
baby also acquires U.S. citizenship at birth, as long as the U.S.
citizen parent lived in the U.S. for the
required amount of time before the birth.
Lastly, if you are an unmarried U.S. citizen father or mother, there
are additional conditions to be met to obtain U.S. citizenship for your
child.
What Is Required for a CRBA?
If you meet these requirements, you will want to go to the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate to report his or her birth and apply for a CRBA. You'll need
Form DS-2029
to do this. (Wait to sign it in the presence of the consular officer.)
Additionally, you will need your child's certified birth certificate
from the country of birth abroad; evidence of both parent(s)'
citizenship and identity such as a U.S. passport; evidence of living in
the U.S. prior to your child's birth like utility bills, employment
records, or bank information; your marriage certificate, if married;
and evidence of the end to previous marriages by divorce decree or
death certificate. Your supporting documents must be original and
certified.
How Do I Obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for My Child?
The CRBA can only be prepared through a U.S. embassy or
consulate abroad. The consular officer approves your application and
forwards it on to the Department of State in the United States, who
then issues you Form FS-240 (CRBA) in your child's name. According to
U.S. law, the CRBA serves as your child's proof of U.S. citizenship. If
you don't obtain the CRBA right away, you risk causing problems for
yourselves, as parents, and for your child when you attempt to do it
later.
By law, U.S. citizens and dual nationals have to use U.S.
passports to enter or leave the United States, so you will need to use
your child's U.S. passport to enter the U.S. It is recommended that you
apply for his or her U.S. passport at the same time as the CRBA, a
full-validity passport is also evidence of U.S. citizenship. Minor
passports are valid for five years.
Can I Use My Child's CRBA to Obtain a U.S. Passport?
If you decide to obtain a U.S. passport for your child at the
same time, you will need to submit additional information. Your CRBA
will already establish your relationship to your child with his or her
birth certificate, and your identity with your passports. Fill out your
child's
passport application Form DS-11;
again, don't sign it until you are in the presence of a U.S. consular
officer. Have a color photograph taken of your baby. Because the look
of a baby can change so quickly, it is best to do this step within the
last week before your passport appointment. Be sure it is a full face
photo with a plain white background. Bring your baby, your
identification, and all your documents to your child's CRBA/passport
appointment.
The fees for a minor's passport are $80 for the application fee, plus a
$25 execution fee. U.S. embassies and consulates accept payment in
local currencies and advise you on the best method of payment. Although
it is possible to get a CRBA later, it is a different and more complex
process through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
CRBAs are issued to children who acquired U.S. citizenship by birth and
are under 18 years of age. Although you will be initially issued one
report, you can order multiple copies or amend your CRBA at any time.
Children who acquired citizenship by being born in a U.S. territory
will use their birth certificates as evidence of citizenship and do not
need to apply for a CRBA.
How Can I Replace a Consular Report of Birth Abroad?
To Replace a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), You Must Submit:
1. A notarized written (or typed) request that includes all of the following information:
- Full name of the child at birth
- Any adoptive names of child
- Child's date and place of birth
- Any available passport information
- Full names of parents
- If known, the serial number of the FS-240
- Signature of requester
- Legal Guardian(s) Only: A copy of the court order granting guardianship
- Requester's mailing address
- Contact number of the requested
2. A copy of requester's valid identification
NOTE: REQUESTS THAT ARE NOT NOTARIZED OR DO NOT INCLUDE A COPY OF REQUESTER'S VALID ID WILL BE DELAYED.
3. A $50.00 check or money order
Make payable to "Department of State". The Department will assume no responsibility for cash lost in the mail.
4. Mail to:
Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Overnight Delivery
Send your request to our office using overnight delivery for quicker service. To have your records returned to you using overnight delivery,
include an additional $15.45 with your request. Consular Reports of Birth documents are printed and mailed off site; please do not include a pre-paid express mail envelope with your request as this will cause a delay with delivery.
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