Issuing a Consular Report of Birth Abroad

This is the primary document which establishes U.S. citizenship for a child born outside the United States. Citizenship may be transmitted to a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent under the following circumstances and conditions:

Birth Abroad to Two U.S. Citizen Parents in Wedlock: A child born abroad to two U.S. citizen parents acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under section 301(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). One of the parents MUST have resided in the U.S. prior to the child's birth. No specific period of time for such prior residence is required.

Birth Abroad to One U.S. Citizen and One Alien Parent in Wedlock: A child born abroad to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under Section 301(g) INA provided the U.S. citizen parent was physically present in the U.S. for the time period required by the law applicable at the time of the child's birth. For birth on or after November 14, 1986, a period of five years physical presence, two after the age of fourteen is required. For births which occured between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, a period of ten years, five after the age of fourteen are required for physical presence in the U.S. to transmit U.S. citizenship to the child.

Birth Abroad Out-of-Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Father: A child born abroad out-of-wedlock to a U.S. citizen father may acquire U.S. citizenship under Section 301(g) INA, as made applicable by Section 309(a) INA, provided:

1. A blood relationship between the applicant and the father is established by clear and convincing evidence;
2. The father had the nationality of the United States at the time of the applicant's birth;
3. The father (unless deceased) has agreed in writing to provide financial support for the person until the applicant reaches the age of 18 years, and
4. While the person is under the age of 18 years --

•   Applicant is legitimated under the law of their residence or domicile,
• Father acknowledges paternity of the person in writing under oath, or
• The paternity of the applicant is established by adjudication court.

Birth Abroad Out-of-Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Mother: A child born abroad out-of-wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother may acquire U.S. citizenship under Section 301(g) INA, as made applicable by Section 309(c) INA if the mother was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child's birth, and if the mother had previously been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of one year.

If you wish, you may contact the Embassy to arrange for an informal prescreening of your documents by calling 011-249-8686 or writing to colomboacs@state.gov 

A formal application requires an Application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (PDF 52.3KB), Affidavit of Parentage, Physical Presence and Support (PDF 165.2KB), a fee of USD100 or Rs.13,500 and the following documents: 

1. The Child's original birth certificate and an English translation by a sworn translator
2. Marriage certificates of parents and an English translation by a sworn translator
3. Proof of termination of any previous marriages, if previously married
4. The passports of the parents
5. Hospital Diagnosis Card, Delivery Report, Pregnancy records, Pediatrician records and any other hospital records
6. If only one parent is a US citizen - available records to prove a period of five years physical presence, two after the age of fourteen is required of the US citizen parent. The evidence may include but need not be limited to passport entry/exit stamps and academic records.
7. If both parents are US citizens - at least one parent has to   provide evidence that he or she had a residence in the US, at some        point in time, prior to the child’s birth. The evidence may include but need not be limited to pay stubs for more than six months, utility and mortgage payments.

Parents are encouraged to apply for their Child's US passport and Social Security Number (external link) at the same time. If your Child does not qualify for U.S. citizenship due to a lack of the parent's physical presence or if the child was born before the parent(s) acquired U.S. citizenship, he/she may still be eligible to acquire U.S. citizenship under the following methods;

Child Citizenship Act of 2000 or

Family Based Immigration