Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America

Consular Reports of Birth Abroad  are available by appointment on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click here to schedule your appointment.

When a child is born overseas to a U.S. Citizen parent or parents, certain documentation is required in order for that child to be registered as a U.S. Citizen. Once registered, the child can receive a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, apply for a U.S. passport and apply for a Social Security number.

The Consular Report of Birth Abroad is a basic citizenship document. In the United States, it may be easier to present this document as a birth certificate in place of a foreign birth certificate.

Registering the Birth of a U.S. Citizen Abroad

To register the birth of a child abroad, both parents and the child must appear at a U.S. Consular Office in person with their photo identification. If one parent is out of the country and cannot appear, that parent should fill out a Statement of Consent form DS-3053 (PDF 157 KB).

The following original documents must be presented, along with translations into English by a sworn translator. Please provide two photocopies of each document.

1. Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America
   Please complete the information requested in section A, numbers 1 through 15 of form DS-2029 (PDF 4.1 MB).  Number 12, regarding parents’ physical presence in the United States, is particularly important and should be carefully reconstructed and documented for both parents, even if one is not a U.S. citizen, prior to coming to the embassy for your appointment.  Please use additional sheets of paper if necessary. 
2.  One 5 cm x 5 cm (2 in x 2in) photograph (see photo requirements).
3. Two original official Algerian birth certificates issued and executed by the Algerian government (make sure the name as shown on the birth certificate is as you want it to appear on the Consular Report of Birth Abroad).
4. Parents' official marriage certificate.
5. Evidence of termination of previous marriages if applicable, such as divorce decree or death certificate (certified copies).
6. Evidence of parents' U.S. citizenship, such as U.S. passport, original birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. Naturalized U.S. citizens who use a different name in their U.S. passport than in their Algerian passport or other documents should also present valid photo ID in both names. Acceptable forms of ID include: U.S. or Algerian driver's license, Algerian or other passport, or U.S. Alien Resident Card (I-551).
7. Satisfactory evidence that the child is the natural child of the mother whose name appears on the birth certificate. This should include mother's pre-natal medical records including sonogram, hospital's birth certificate, doctor's signed statement attesting to pre-natal treatment, or other evidence as may be required by the consular officer. To avoid delays, please present adequate pre- and post-natal documentation and register the child's birth as soon as possible after the birth of the child.
8. Affidavit of parent(s)’ residence and physical presence in the United States (PDF 51 KB)
   
   Please consult the information below regarding U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act requirements for transmission of citizenship to children born abroad.  If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, that parent must present evidence of precise periods of physical presence in the U.S.
   
9. The fee for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad is $100 , or the equivalent in Algerian dinar, payable in cash.

Requirements of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act for Transmission of U.S. Citizenship to Children Born Abroad

Children born in Wedlock

Born to two U.S. citizen parents

If either parent has resided in the United States prior to the birth of the child, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 301 (c) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. There is no requisite period of residence for the parents in the U.S., but the residency must have been at some time prior to the birth of the child.

Born to one U.S. citizen and one alien parent

Born before or on November 13, 1986

The U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the United States for a cumulative period (or periods totaling) ten years before the birth of the child, at least five years of which were after the U.S. citizen parent reached the age of 14. If this requirement is met, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 301(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Born on or after November 14, 1986

The U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the United States for a period (or periods totaling) five years prior to the birth of the child, at least two years of which were after the U.S. citizen parent reached the age of 14. If this requirement is met, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 301(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended by Public Law 99-653 of November 14, l986).

Children born out of Wedlock

Born to a U.S. citizen mother

The U.S. citizen mother must have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least one year before the child's birth. This period of presence may have been at any time before the child's birth. If this requirement is met, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 309(c) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act.

Born to a U.S. citizen father and an alien mother

In November 1986, the United States Immigration and Nationality Act was amended to permit a child born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen father and an alien mother to acquire U.S. citizenship at birth based upon clear and convincing evidence of paternity. The father must have fulfilled the appropriate physical presence requirements under Section 301(g) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (ten or five years of physical presence as explained).

In addition, the United States citizen father must:

• sign a written agreement to provide financial support until the child reaches the age of 18; and
  
• Make a statement under oath acknowledging parentage; legitimate the child under the law of the child's residence or domicile; or have the paternity of the child adjudicated and established by a competent court. The appropriate form is available here (PDF 51 KB). Please do not sign until asked to do so by the consular officer.
  

What Does Physical Presence Mean?

If you are a U.S. citizen but do not have enough physical presence to transmit your U.S. nationality to your child, please refer to the following websites concerning acquisition of U.S. citizenship: Child Citizenship Act and Family-Based Immigration.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows certain foreign-born, biological, and adopted children of U.S. citizens to acquire U.S. citizenship automatically. These children did not acquire U.S. citizenship at birth, but they are granted citizenship when they enter the United States as Lawful Permanent Residents.