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
It is up to the consular officer to determine if the evidence presented fulfills the requirements. 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: Acceptable: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.
Completing a CRBA application
How do you plan to submit your child's CRBA application?