Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)

Children born abroad may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth only if at least one of the natural parents were U.S. citizens at the time of the child's birth. The exact requirements vary depending on the date of the child's birth, the marital status of the parents, and which parent (if not both) was a U.S. citizen.

The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported as soon as possible so that a Consular Report of Birth Abroad can be issued as an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship:

• A Consular Report of Birth can only be created at a U.S. Consular Office overseas while the child is under age 18.
• Following a certain procedure, you may replace, amend or request multiple copies of a Consular Report of Birth at any time.

Apply for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad for your child 

Prepare the following documents:

• Form DS-2029 Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
• Form SS-5 Application for a Social Security Card;
• The child's original local birth certificate;
• The parents marriage certificate (if applicable);
• Evidence of termination of each parent's previous marriages (if applicable);
• Evidence of the U.S. citizen parent's residence in the United States prior to the birth of the child.

In some cases, the consular officer may also ask for additional documentation related to the parents’ life together, the pregnancy, and the child’s birth and subsequent development.  This might include pre- and post-natal medical records, and family photos documenting the mother’s pregnancy, the parents’ wedding ceremony, and the child’s relationship with his or her parents from date of birth to the present.

Under circumstances when no other form of credible evidence of paternity/maternity is available, genetic (DNA) testing may be used for verifying an alleged biological relationship. Such testing is entirely voluntary, must be done in accordance with instructions provided by the Embassy, and all costs of testing and related expenses must be borne by the family.

Appear at the embassy at a scheduled time

Please contact the Consular Section for booking an appointment. An interview is conducted before a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad can be issued. Both the child and the parent(s) are required to be present at the interview.

The application fee for this document is $100.00 or the equivalent in Latvian Lats to be paid in cash or by credit card.

If a determination is made that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth, you will be issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America for your child. This document is recognized by U.S. law as a proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship and is acceptable evidence of citizenship for obtaining a passport, entering school, and most other purposes.