Consulate General of the United States Guayaquil, Ecuador

If you are a U.S. citizen and the parent of a child born out of the United States, you will need to document your child’s citizenship with a Consular Report of Birth. This document is used in the United States like a certified copy of a birth certificate, and it is acceptable evidence of citizenship for obtaining a passport and entering school. Although the application forms and final documents are the same everywhere, our Embassies and Consulates have different procedures to get them while you are out of the United States. If you haven’t done so already, check your local post website to learn the local rules. Our Embassies and Consulates will need you to make an appointment for this service.

No matter where you apply, some things are the same in every country outside the United States. Here is what’s standard everywhere:

Application Forms

DS-2029 Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) (PDF, 52.3KB)

DS-5507 Affidavit of Parentage (PDF, 165KB)

DS-11 Application for Minor's Passport

Supporting Documents

You will need all of the following:

1. The child’s foreign birth certificate. You must submit a certified copy of the child's birth certificate issued by the Ecuadorian Civil Registry.  The Ecuadorian Civil Registry may provide different versions of this document.  Please make sure you request a direct copy from their Book of Records.  Other versions will not be accepted.
2. Proof of parents' identities. Each parent must submit an original or copy of a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or Ecuadorian cédula, or the photo page of his/her passport.
3. Proof of citizenship of the U.S. citizen parent(s). Your current passport is the preferred form of proof. Your U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate is also acceptable.
4. Pregnancy Records. For example, echo sonograms, doctor's certificates, hospital bills, and photographs of mother during pregnancy.  (Kindly refrain from bringing used pregnancy tests, blood samples, umbilical cords, or other items that may be considered a biohazard.)
5. Proof of sufficient physical presence to transmit citizenship (see below).
6. Marriage, divorce, and death certificates, if applicable (see below).

Proving Sufficient Physical Presence

How long is long enough? This will depend on whether the parents are married, and whether one or both is a U.S. citizen. Click here to learn more about transmitting citizenship.

How you prove you were physically present will depend a lot on your situation. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some examples of acceptable evidence include school transcripts, old passports, income tax returns, utility bills in the name of the parent, employment records, military records, and or medical records. The more you can provide, the easier it will be for the consular officer to approve the CRBA.

For Parents Married at the Time of the Child's Birth

If the child's parents were married at the time of birth, the consular officer will need a certified copy of their marriage certificate. The U.S. citizen parent should fill out the dates they have been physically present on the DS-5507. If either parent has been married previously, the consular officer will request evidence that any previous marriages were terminated, such as a certified divorce decree or death certificate. While these documents are not always required, it is to your advantage to bring them in case the consular officer requests them.

For Parents Not Married to Each Other at the Time of the Child's Birth

The U.S. citizen father must complete the Affidavit of Parentage (DS-5507) when the child was born out of wedlock and the mother is not also a U.S. citizen. It is not required if both parents are U.S. citizens. The document must be notarized or signed in front of the consular officer at the time of application

Proof of Paternity/Maternity

Regardless of the marital status of the parents, in cases in which paternity or maternity is in question, the consular officer may request additional evidence of the biological relationship between the parents and the child. In some cases, the consular officer may suggest DNA testing. If DNA testing is appropriate to your case, the consular officer will explain the process. Note: We can only accept DNA results that meet the guidelines provided by the consular officer.

Additional Evidence

The consular officer, at his/her discretion, may request additional documents or other evidence as necessary. You will be advised at the time of application if such evidence is required in your case.