CRBA: Consular Report of Birth Abroad

The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is an official document issued by the US Department of State that certifies that a child born outside the United States acquired US citizenship at birth through a US citizen parent. This document has the same legal value as a US birth certificate for citizenship purposes.

• Form DS-2029: Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad, complete and signed
• Foreign birth certificate: Original birth certificate of the child issued by the country of birth
• Proof of parent's US citizenship: Valid US passport, naturalization certificate, or US birth certificate of the citizen parent
• Evidence of physical presence: Documents proving the citizen parent lived in the US before the child's birth: school transcripts, tax returns, W-2 forms, employment records, medical records, lease agreements
• Marriage certificate: Of the parents, if married
• Divorce decrees or death certificates: From previous marriages, if applicable
• Official identification: Of both parents (valid passport or ID)
• Child's photographs: Passport-size, per consulate specifications
• Child's passport or ID: If available

1. 1
   Gather documentationCollect all required documents, including certified English translations of any documents in another language.
2. 2
   Complete Form DS-2029Fill out the CRBA application with information for both parents and the child.
3. 3
   Schedule consular appointmentBook an appointment at the nearest US consulate or embassy.
4. 4
   Attend the appointmentThe child and both parents must appear in person. If one parent cannot attend, Form DS-5507 and additional documentation are required.
5. 5
   Receive the CRBAOnce approved, the consulate issues the CRBA and you can simultaneously apply for the child's US passport.

To transmit citizenship to a child born abroad, the US citizen parent must demonstrate that they physically lived in the United States for a minimum period before the child's birth. If both parents are US citizens and married, at least one must have resided in the US at some point before the birth. If only one parent is a US citizen and is married to a foreign national, the citizen parent must demonstrate at least 5 years of physical presence in the US, of which at least 2 must have been after turning 14 years old. Accepted evidence includes school transcripts, tax returns, W-2 forms, employment records, medical records, lease agreements, and any other documents demonstrating residence in US territory.

• ✓Official proof of citizenship: Document recognized by the US government as proof of citizenship at birth
• ✓Passport processing: Allows immediate application for the child's US passport
• ✓Citizen rights: The child can live, study, and work in the US without restrictions
• ✓Consular protection: Access to US consular services in any country worldwide
• ✓Educational benefits: Access to scholarships and in-state tuition rates at US universities

If the parents are not married, the process has additional requirements. The citizen parent must demonstrate the biological relationship with the child, and Form DS-5507 (Affidavit of Parentage) may be required. If one parent cannot attend the consular appointment, a notarized affidavit authorizing the other parent to process the CRBA is needed. In cases of children born through surrogacy or assisted reproduction, different rules may apply under current legislation. It is essential to consult with a specialist to evaluate each particular case.