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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 his or her 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 unless otherwise noted. The CRBA neither serves as, nor is intended to serve as, proof of the identity of the child’s legal parents. In general, the name or names listed on the CRBA are those of the parents, including those through whom the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship is made.
Applying Online: NOTE: If you are applying in Frankfurt, Mexico City, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, or Toronto, you may be eligible to apply for your child’s CRBA online. Go to MyTravelGov to learn more and create your online account. You will also need to schedule an interview appointment.
NOTE: If your child was conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART)/surrogacy please visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information on what is required.
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.