Applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

Introduction

If your child was born outside the US, they can still secure their US citizenship, even if they don’t have a US birth certificate. Consular Report of Birth Abroad is the key to proving your child’s US citizenship, getting a citizenship certificate, and a US passport. Want to know how it all works? Read this guide to understand what is consular report of birth abroad, its eligibility, cost, and the application process. 

What is a Consular Report of Birth Abroad? 

A consular report of birth abroad, or CRBA, is a legal document that proves your child’s US citizenship and nationality. It is provided by the US Embassy or Consulate of the foreign country where your child was born. 

If your child wants to apply for a certificate of citizenship or a US passport, CRBA helps them prove their US citizenship. Remember, CRBA is not a form for becoming a US citizen. If your child is eligible, they automatically become citizens at birth. 

What is the Eligibility Requirement for CRBA? 

Firstly, CRBA has to be filed before the child’s 18th birthday. If you are the child, the child’s legal guardian, parent, or acting in loco parentis (in the place of the parent), you can apply for CRBA. Further, different eligibility requirements exist depending on whether the parents are married and whether one or both are US citizens or nationals. 

General Eligibility Requirements

Here’s a list of eligibility requirements that all CRBA applicants should meet:

• At least one parent must be a US citizen or national.
• The parent must have become a US citizen before the birth of the child 
• The child must be born abroad. 

Child Born to Two Married US Citizens 

CRBA may be issued if: 

• At least one parent should have resided in the US (or its territories) before the child was born.
• At least one parent should be biologically related to the child.
• Both parents in the marriage show a parental relationship or role to the child. 

If one parent is a US citizen and the other a US national, the US citizen would have to prove that they have continuously resided in the US for one year, at any time before the child’s birth, to make the child eligible to apply for CRBA. 

Child Born to a Married US Citizen and a Non-Citizen Couple 

If you are a US citizen and your spouse is not, your child may still be eligible to become a US citizen at birth and apply for CRBA as long as you meet the following criteria:

For a child born on or after November 14, 1986, as a US citizen parent, you would have to prove that you have lived in the US (or its territories) for five years before the child’s birth, two of these years after you turned 14 years old.

Further, you and your spouse must meet:

• At least one parent should be biologically related to the child.
• Both parents in the marriage show a parental relationship or role to the child. 

If you and your spouse cannot prove a parental relationship, your child can apply for US citizenship as a child born out of wedlock/marriage. 

Child Born to an Unmarried US Citizen and a Non-Citizen 

If either parent of a child born abroad is a US citizen, they may still be eligible to apply for CRBA; however, the process is more complicated if the parents are not married. There is a separate eligibility criterion depending on whether the male or the female parent is a US citizen. 

Male Parent

If a male US citizen gives birth to a child abroad while being unmarried, the following criteria must be met before the resulting child can file for CRBA:

• The parent must be biologically related to the child
• The parent should meet the physical presence requirements for a child born after November 14, 1986
• The parent must agree (in writing) to financially support the child until the child turns 18. 

If the US-citizen parent dies before filing the request for CRBA, the financial agreement is not required. 

Female Parent

If the parent is a female US citizen, the child’s eligibility to apply for CRBA depends on whether the child was born before or after June 11, 2017. 

• If the child is born between December 24, 1952, and June 11, 2017, the US citizen female parent must have been physically present in the US (or its territories) continuously for one year before giving birth.
• If the child is born on or after June 12, 2017, the US citizen female parent must have been physically present in the US (or its territories) continuously for five years before giving birth (with two of those years after the age of 14) 

How to Apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad?

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can file for CRBA at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. You should start the process as soon as possible after your child’s birth. Just follow these steps to complete your CRBA application. 

Step 1: Create your MyGovTravel Account

You can begin the process by applying for CRBA at the online portal “MyTravelGov” and creating an account. This will allow you to apply electronically at your nearest US embassy/consulate. 

If you cannot complete the process online for any reason, you can book an appointment with the concerned US embassy/consulate and file the PDF of the CRBA application. 

Step 2: Filling out DS-2029

DS-2029 is the primary form you must fill out if you apply for CRBA. Typically, this form has to be filed with the US embassy/consulate where the child was born. In section A of DS-2029, you have to fill in details about the parents and the child, such as:

Details of the Child

• Full name of the child
• Sex
• Date and place of birth

Information about the Parent(s)

There are separate columns for both parents. You have to provide information, including but not limited to:

• Full names and all previous legal names used
• Whether you were a US citizen when the child was born
• Your current physical address, phone number, and email address. 
• Whether you were married to the other parent when your child was born, along with the date and place of marriage.
• Periods when you were physically present in the US

If you are not a US citizen, and the US citizen biological parent who is passing the citizenship to your child is not present at the time of applying for CRBA, or if the child was born out of wedlock and your child’s father is a US citizen, the US citizen parent must file DS-5507, Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage, and Support. 

Step 3: Collect the Documents 

Along with your DS-2029, you may have to collect and submit the following documents:

• Your child’s birth certificate
• Your marriage certificate: Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Documents proving that the parent or parents are US citizens/nationals: You can submit your US passport, citizenship certificate, naturalization certificate, CRBA, etc.
• Evidence that you meet the US physical presence eligibility requirement: Documents proving this can include school records, bank statements, tax returns, employment records, and affidavits. 
• Legal Guardianship Certificate or Notarized Affidavit from Parents: This is only required if someone other than the child’s biological parents is filing for CRBA.
• Proof of Pregnancy: If any Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) method, such as IVF, was used, medical records may be required to establish a biological relationship. Sometimes, prenatal/birth records may also be needed. 

Remember that you must submit original documents or copies certified by the custodian of the record. Make sure you have the documents with you before starting the application process. Consult an expert citizenship attorney to make your Consular Report of Birth Abroad application seamless and clear all your doubts!  

Step 4: Pay the CRBA Fee

After submitting your DS-2029, you must pay the non-refundable fee before scheduling an interview. Typically, the Department of State charges a fee of $100. However, the same may differ from country to country. Before making the payment, cross-check the CRBA fee charged by your nearest embassy. 

Step 4: Attend the Interview

After paying the fee, you can schedule the CRBA interview 72 hours later. An easy way to do so is to send an email to consular@state.gov. At the interview, bring originals of all the required documents. Typically, both parents should be present at the time of application. After you receive your child’s CRBA and passport, you can also apply for a Social Security Number.

Conclusion 

Getting a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) guarantees that your child is officially a US citizen. Following the process carefully and gathering the required documents can make the application smooth and stress-free. The primary step is determining eligibility to apply for CRBA. You should start your child’s CRBA application process before they turn 18, to avoid complications in the future. 

How Can FileRight Assist You? 

FileRight is a new type of immigration software company. We believe in:

• Making things easy
• Getting things right the first time
• Walking you through each citizenship application form step by step

By consulting FileRight’s expert citizenship attorneys, you get a trusted partner to help you apply for and get a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, so your child has proof of US citizenship. If your child was born in a foreign country, this is the first step for them to get their US passport and Social Security Number, and prosper as a US citizen in the land of dreams. 

Book a consultation with our seasoned citizenship attorneys at just $79 today!