Embassy of the United States

In order to provide better customer service to our smallest clients, all applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA) will be made through our special family appointment system.

Appointments must be scheduled online.

To schedule or cancel an appointment, please click here.

For better service please have your passport application complete with photographs 15 minutes before your appointment.

The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported as soon as possible to the nearest American consular office for the purpose of establishing an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship at birth. The official U.S. record is a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for a citizen of the United States of America. This document, referred to as the CRBA or FS-240, is considered a vital United States citizenship document. An original FS-240 is furnished to the parent(s) at the time the registration is approved.

Please take time to read the instructions on how to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, the necessary forms you need to complete prior to coming to apply, as well as the supporting documents you need to present.

The CRBA and Passport applications will be accepted during the same appointment. To reduce baby’s wait time, all paperwork should be completed before the appointment. Please also bring one photo of the required size (5x5 cm) for the child’s first passport.

Transmission of Nationality

To transmit citizenship to your child, you must show that you meet the basic physical presence transmission requirements for your particular situation. There are different transmission requirements depending upon the U.S. parent’s gender and marital status. Following is a brief description of the transmission requirements for each situation as well as a link for detailed instructions.

Birth to a U.S. Citizen Parent married to Alien Parent and Birth to an unmarried U.S. Citizen Father

A U.S. citizen parent may transmit citizenship if s/he has been physically present in the United States for a certain amount of time prior to the child’s birth. For children born on or after November 14, 1986, the citizen parent must prove that s/he was physically present in the U.S. for five years, two of which were after age 14. It is important to recognize that the burden of proof is on the applicant. Physical presence may be proven by presenting a combination of records such as school transcripts, old and current passports, etc., to show that the physical presence requirement has been met.  Click here for instructions.

Birth to Two U.S. Citizen Parents

A child born to two U.S. citizen parents abroad acquires citizenship at birth, so long as either parent has a residence in the United States or its possessions sometime before the birth.  There is no specifically required length of physical presence.  Click here for instructions.

Birth to Unmarried U.S. Citizen Mother

A child born abroad on or after November 14, 1986, 2:00pm EST, is the son or daughter born out of wedlock to an American citizen mother and the mother has been physically present in the United States prior to the birth of the child for a minimum period of one continuous year.  Click here for instructions.

Additional detailed information about citizenship matters is also available from the Department of State's Citizenship and Nationality webpage.

Starting October 1, 2011

Every applicant requesting a consular report of birth abroad, passport and/or notary services, must bring their own set of copies along with the original documents.  Unfortunately, as per U.S. government regulations we are required to charge US$1 per copy taken at the Embassy.  We are sorry for the inconvenience.