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A child born outside the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if the child’s parent(s) meet the applicable requirements for transmission of citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act Sections 301 or 309 prior to the child’s birth. One such requirement is that at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen as of the date and time of birth. Either parent may apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA), on behalf of their minor child, to document the child’s U.S. citizenship.
When to Apply: You must submit your child’s CRBA application before their 18th birthday. Please note that the CRBA is not a travel document; you may wish to consider applying for the child’s U.S. passport at the same time as the CRBA, and well in advance of any travel to the United States. Under U.S. law U.S. citizens must enter and depart the United States on a U.S. passport, even if they hold another nationality and passport.
Applying for a CRBA is a simple process but does require you to collect and submit some documentation, and then appear with your child in person at the embassy, consulate, or office providing consular services by appointment. The CRBA neither serves as, nor is intended to serve as, proof of the identity of the child’s legal parents.
How to Apply:
Online: If your U.S. embassy, consulate, or office providing consular services offers online applications, follow the steps below to apply online:
*Note: Applicants must have a Login.gov account to access eCRBA services on the MyTravelGov portal. If you already have an eCRBA application in progress, use the same email address previously used to access the MyTravelGov website to create an account. This ensures a streamlined linkage between your existing profile and the new authentication system.
Paper-based Application: If your U.S. embassy, consulate, or office providing consular services offers paper-based application, follow the steps below:
In addition to the completed Form 2029, you are asked to submit the original and either one or two photocopies of the following documents at your in-person appointment:
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad fee is $100 USD.
Select the Child’s Country or Area of Birth:
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000, Immigration and Nationality Act Sections 321 and 322, provides for expedited acquisition of U.S. citizenship at some point after birth for foreign-born children of U.S. citizens, including adopted children, provided all statutory conditions are fulfilled. Children born abroad who did not acquire U.S. citizenship at birth (because the parents did not meet the transmission requirements) are not eligible for a CRBA. Learn more here.