U.S. Citizen Services
Registering a Birth
A child born to a U.S. citizen parent usually acquires U.S. citizenship at birth. Parents should contact the American Citizen Services Unit as soon as possible after the birth to file a "Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen" (CRBA). In general, the child and either parent must be physically present to apply for the CRBA. However, if you decide to apply for a U.S. passport at the same time presence of both parents is required (see Passport Services for more information)
Usually, in order to establish the child's citizenship under the appropriate provisions of U.S. law, the following documents must be submitted:
- Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form DS-2029)
- An official record of the child's foreign birth;
- Evidence of the parent(s)' U.S. citizenship (e.g., a certified birth certificate, current U.S. passport, or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship);
- Evidence of the parents' marriage, if applicable; and
- Affidavits of parent(s)' residence and physical presence in the United States. (click here to download the form. Do not sign it!).
Note: All documents in other languages rather than English should be translated into English and notarized.
In certain cases it may be necessary to submit additional documents, including affidavits of paternity and support, divorce decrees from prior marriages, or medical reports of blood compatibility. All evidentiary documents should be certified as true copies of the originals by the registrar of the office wherein each document was issued.
Currently, the service fee for a Consular Report of Birth is $65.
NOTE: Consular Reports of Birth are not available for persons born in Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the Panama Canal Zone before October 1, 1979, the Philippines before July 4, 1946, American Samoa, Guam, Swains Island, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the former U. S. Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. Birth certificates for those areas, except the Panama Canal Zone, must be obtained from their respective offices of vital statistics. Panama Canal Zone birth certificates should be requested through the Vital Records Services Section of Passport Services.
The Report of Birth Abroad, also known as an FS-240, is acceptable as proof of birth and U.S. citizenship for all legal purposes.
For more information please visit Tips for Americans Residing Abroad on the U.S. Department of State Travel web site.