A Consular Report of Birth (CRBA) is evidence of United States citizenship. It is issued to children born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) who meet the conditions laid out under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday.
Parents are encouraged to apply for their child’s first U.S. Passport at the same time as applying for their CRBA.
Eligibility for a CRBA
The information below is intended for use only as a general reference guide. Final adjudication authority rests with the consular officer. Sufficient documentation should be submitted which adequately demonstrates that the required periods of time have been met.
Parents are married at time of child’s birth |
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| Both are U.S. citizens | At least one parent must have held residence in the U.S. or its possessions for any length of time.
Proof of Residence may include a U.S. drivers license, or documents which are considered evidence of physical presence listed below.
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| Only one is a U.S. Citizen | The U.S. citizen parent must have had physical presence in the U.S. or its possessions for at least five years, two of which must be after the age of 14.
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Parents are unmarried at time of child’s birth |
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| Mother is a U.S. citizen & child was born before June 12, 2017 | The mother must have had physical presence in the U.S. or its possessions for one continuous year.
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| Mother is a U.S. citizen & child was born on or after June 12, 2017 | The mother must have had physical presence in the U.S. or its possessions for at least five years, two of which must be after the age of 14.
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| Father is a U.S. citizen | A person born abroad out-of-wedlock to a U.S. citizen father and a non-U.S. citizen mother may acquire U.S. citizenship if:
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Examples of Documentation
Some examples of documentary evidence which may be considered to demonstrate that physical presence requirements have been met may include (but are not limited to) any of the following.
Please also bring black and white photocopies of all original documents, so the officer can return the originals at the end of the interview.
Preferable:
- Academic transcripts
- Lifetime earnings statement from the Social Security Administration
- Records of honorable U.S. military service, employment with U.S. Government or certain intergovernmental international organizations; or as a dependent, unmarried child and member of the household of a parent in such service or employment (except where indicated)
- Wage and tax statements (W-2 statements preferred)
- Employment records with actual work location and periods of work listed
Acceptable:
- Rental receipts showing address and duration of rental
- Signed employer letter on company letterhead confirming employment at a site in the United States
- Immunization records
- U.S. passport stamps may be considered a part of the evidence submitted, but should not be the sole documentary evidence.
- Driver’s licenses do not constitute evidence of physical presence, but can show residence.
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued to another child may be considered as supplemental evidence.
It is up to the consular officer to determine if the evidence presented fulfills the requirements for residency.
Listing Physical Presence in the U.S.
Our office regularly receives inquiries asking how to list the times of physical presence in the United States. The forms require parents to list all times they were physically present in the United States, as to the best of their knowledge. If you are unsure of the exact dates of travel in and out of the U.S. list the dates to your best estimate (even if this only lists the month and year). We appreciate that for frequent travelers the list may be comprehensive, but the information is required for the Consular Officer to determine your child’s eligibility for U.S. citizenship.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Refer the Department of State’s information for U.S. citizens who have used ART to conceive their child. ART includes in-vitro fertilization, surrogacy arrangements and the use of egg and sperm donors. If ART was used and you are unsure how to proceed with an application, please contact the U.S. Consulate General serving your area.
We recommend that parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth. For applicants older than 18 who have never been issued a CRBA, refer to Possible Derivative Claim to U.S. Citizenship.
If the U.S. citizen parent does not meet the transmission requirements and the child is under 18 years of age, the child may be eligible for expeditious naturalization under the Child Citizenship Act 2000.
Should you require a replacement Consular Report of Birth Abroad for yourself or your child, please refer to the Department of State’s website for instructions. U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world cannot issue replacement/additional CRBA certificates.