First-Time Applicants – Over the age of 18

If you are age 18 or above and have never been documented as a U.S. citizen by your parent(s), you may proceed to complete the following:

1) Application for Passport (Form DS-11);

2) Questionnaire for Determining Possible Loss of U.S. Citizenship (DS-4079).

It will be necessary to submit the following with your application:

1) Your Birth Certificate

A certified copy of your long-form birth record issued by the appropriate governmental authority, showing your full name, date and place of birth, parents’ information, filing and issue date.

2) Evidence of U.S. Citizenship of the Parent(s)

• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Naturalization Certificate

If not previously issued one of the above:

• U.S. Birth Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Review information on the Department of State website for Documentation of U.S. Citizens Born Abroad.

Further evidence may be required to establish that your parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth if his/her claim has not been previously established.

3) Evidence of Parents’ Marriage

Certified copy of your parents’ marriage certificate issued by the appropriate governmental authority. Religious records are not acceptable.

4) Evidence of Termination of your Parents’ Previous Marriages

Certified copy of divorce/death certificate etc.

5) Evidence of Physical Presence in the United States of U.S. Citizen Parent(s)

Documentary evidence of periods of physical presence in the United States of your U.S. citizen parent(s) prior to your birth, including periods of physical presence outside the United States when the parent served in the U.S. armed forces or employed by other U.S. government agencies (if applicable). Please consult the “Transmission Requirements for U.S. Citizenship” for physical presence requirements applicable at the time of your birth.

6) Your Identifying Documents

Current foreign passport. It may also be necessary for your mother/father/brother or sister to accompany you to the Embassy to identify you. If your parents’ or siblings are deceased, you should submit a progression of identifying documents of yourself from childhood to the present (e.g. medical records, baptism certificate, school yearbooks, student I.D. card, old passports, old driver’s license, etc).

7) Evidence of Change of Name

If you and/or your parent’s have changed names through marriage or court order, submit an original or certified copy of the verifying documents.

8) Evidence of Parentage and/or Legitimation

Credible and substantial evidence of blood relationship between yourself and your U.S. parent(s) must be submitted with your application. If you were born out-of-wedlock, please consult the attached “Transmission Requirements for U.S. Citizenship* for the legitimation laws that may be applicable at the time of your birth.

9) Affidavit of Parentage Completed and Signed by your U.S. Citizen Parent(s)

Your U.S. citizen parent should accompany you to the Embassy to sign the affidavit under oath. If your parent is in the United States, the affidavit can be signed before a notary public. The affidavit must be accompanied by a notarized copy of your parent’s passport or driver’s license.

10) If Born Out-of-Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Father

(see “Transmission Requirements for U.S. Citizenship”).  Your mother will be required to complete an “Affidavit from Mother to Establish Paternity of Child” before our Consular Officer. This affidavit does not establish paternity. She will be required to exhibit her foreign passport. If your claim to U.S. citizenship falls under Section 201(i) of the Nationality Act (born out-of-wedlock to a U.S. citizen father between January 13, 1941 and December 24, 1952), you will be required to submit your father’s Honorable Discharge papers as well as sworn statements from mother’s and father’s family regarding the circumstances surrounding your birth. Family photographs, particularly those that show a resemblance to your father’s family, should also be submitted.

11) 1 x passport photo, please see requirements for color photographs.

11) Fee

The passport fee is $135.00. The fee may be paid by credit card (we cannot accept Laser cards), in cash, U.S. dollars or equivalent in Euro or by U.S. dollar bank draft made payable to "U.S. Embassy".  The bank draft must be the exact U.S. Dollar amount of the fee payable.  We cannot give change if the amount of the draft you present is greater than the correct amount of the fee.

12) Self Addressed Envelope

Include a stamped self-addressed envelope, size 6in x 9 1/2in approx., for the return of your new and old passport.  Please affix to the envelope a €5.75 regular postage stamp or a combination of stamps to the value of €5.75.  We will return your passports and documentation to you be Express Post mail.  Processing should take four to five weeks.

Please note: Certain applications may require additional documents/evidence and procedures to process. If you believe that you qualify for citizenship as a first-time applicant, please make an appointment following the details below.

PLEASE NOTE:

For further information follow link to Transmission Requirements for U.S. Citizenship and Physical Presence requirements in the U.S.