Report of Birth Abroad
Instructions for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America
APPLICATIONS FOR REPORTS OF BIRTH ABROAD ARE ACCEPTED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Appointments can be made online by using the following link: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=HCM&appcode=1
WARNING: Do not make more than one appointment per applicant. Multiple appointments created for one applicant will result in having all appointments cancelled and you will have to reschedule your interview.
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) of a Citizen of the United States of America documents the birth of a United States citizen in a foreign country. It is accepted by all U.S. government agencies as proof of a child's American citizenship. Although not technically a birth certificate (which can only be issued by the local jurisdiction), the CRBA can be used in the U.S. in the same way as a birth certificate issued by a city or county registrar's office.
We recommend that you apply for a child's U.S. passport at the same time you apply for the CRBA.
BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP BY A CHILD BORN ABROAD
A child born outside of the United States acquires U.S. citizenship at birth when the child meets the transmission requirements as follows:
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) provided that one of the parents had a residence in the U.S. prior to the child’s birth.
Birth Abroad to One Citizen and 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 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 birth 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:
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a blood relationship between the child and the father is established by clear and convincing evidence;
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the father had the nationality of the United States at the time of the child's birth;
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the father (unless deceased) has agreed in writing to provide financial support for the child until the applicant reaches the age of 18 years, and
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while the child is under age of 18 years:
(a) the child is legitimated under the law of their residence or domicile, or
(b) the father acknowledges paternity of the child in writing under oath, or
(c) the paternity of the child 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.
For children not covered in the above categories, please contact the American Citizen Services Unit.
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Official Vietnamese birth certificate of the child: Original and 1 photocopy with 1 English translation from the Service of Justice of the district or province.
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Identity evidence of U.S. citizen parent(s) (e.g. U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization): Original and 1 photocopy or 1 true copy certified by a U.S. notary public.
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Identity evidence of non-U.S. citizen parent (e.g. passport or identity card): Original and 1 photocopy with 1 English translation from the Service of Justice of the district or province.
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Parents' marriage certificate (if married): Original and 1 photocopy with English translation from the Service of Justice of the district or province.
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Proof of termination of previous marriage(s) of either parent (e.g. divorce decree, death certificate): Original and 1 photocopy with English translation from the Service of Justice of the district or province.
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Supporting evidence of the relationship between the mother and the father (e.g. wedding photos, letters).
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Supporting evidence of the child's birth (e.g. hospital/pre-natal records, sonograms, photos of the mother while pregnant).
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Evidence of both parents' physical presence in the state/country at the time of the child's conception (e.g. visa stamps, airline tickets, airlines printouts): original and 1 photocopy.
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Documentary proof of the American parent’s five years physical presence in the U.S., two of which come after the age of fourteen (Acceptable documentary proof would be: academic records, school transcripts, tax records, Social Security statement, etc.): Original and 1 photocopy.
1. Complete the following forms (all attached):
- Form DS-2029 (Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of Citizen of the United States of America).
- Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence
- Form SS-5 (Application for Social Security Number Card).
2. If parents are also applying for a passport for the child at the same time, please:
- Complete form DS-11 online (Passport application form).
- Submit 1 passport photograph of the child (see photograph instructions below).
- Both parents should be present to sign the application form before the consular officer for children under the age of 16. If only one parent can be present, then the absent parent must provide Statement of Consent form DS-3053 and notarized by the U.S. notary public.
- Please note that at least one parent and the child must be physically present on the appointment date.
3. Please bring US$205 for the CRBA and passport fees (US$100 for the Report of Birth Abroad and US $105 for a minor passport). All fees are payable in U.S. dollars in cash or by the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express. The Consulate General does not accept checks or Vietnamese Dong. In addition, the Consulate General can only accept dollars in good condition. Notes that are taped, washed, torn, damaged, or have excessive marks or blemishes will not be accepted. Submit forms and requested documents to the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on the appointment date.
NOTES:
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All documents in a foreign language should be translated into English by the Service of Justice of the district or province.
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All documents provided should be original (to be returned after review) with 1 photocopy.
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Photocopies of identification documents should be clear.
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Documents to be notarized by a U.S. notary can be executed by a notary public in the U.S. or at the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on the appointment date or between 8:30AM and 11:30AM, Monday through Thursday.
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The Social Security Administration will send the SSN card to the mailing address indicated on your form approximately three months after you receive your child’s CRBA and passport.
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For exit visa information from Vietnam, please contact the following offices for detailed instructions:
Immigration Office of Ho Chi Minh City 161 Nguyen Du, District 1, HCMC Tel: (84-8) 3829-9398 / 3829-7107)
Immigration Dept. of Ministry of Public Security 254 Nguyen Trai, District 1, HCMC Tel: (84-8) 39200-2300 / 3920-0353 Should you have additional questions about completing a CRBA and U.S. passport application, please contact the American Citizen Services Unit at (84-8) 3520 4200.
Once your application has been approved it normally takes 4 weeks for the CRBA and passport to arrive at the Consulate. The CRBA and passport will be delivered to you by an express courier service. The delivery fee is 36,000 VND or 60,000 VND depending upon your shipping address. This fee is payable only in VND. The CRBA and passport may also be picked up at the Consulate.
U.S. PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH REQUIREMENTS
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| Photo sample |
Dimensions: Photo size is 5 centimeters by 5 centimeters (2x2 inches).
Image size from bottom of chin to top of head should be between 2.5 - 3.5 centimeters (1 inch - 1 3/8 inches).
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No Polaroids or snapshots.
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Photo must be in color.
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Photo must have white background.
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Photo must be full face, front view.
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Photo must be recent, within 6 months.
Photographs should be taken in normal street attire, without a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline. Uniforms should not be worn in photographs with the exception of religious attire which is worn daily. If prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles are normally and consistently worn, they should be worn when the picture is taken. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required to support the wearing of such glasses in photographs.
You are not required to obtain your photos from any of these shops. Due to the variety of different standard photograph sizes and specifications, we suggest that you give the photo shop this requirement sheet. The Consulate General cannot be responsible for unacceptable photographs.
Quang
23 Huynh Thuc Khang, District 1, HCMC Tel: (84-8) 3822-4774 / 3822-1295
Dong Da
66 Nguyen Hue, District 1, HCMC Tel: (84-8) 3829-2595
Minh Quyen
40B Tran Cao Van, District 3, HCMC Tel: (84-8) 3824-4654
Phuong Quynh
70C Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC Tel: (84-8) 3825-1258
Manh Son
258 Hai Ba Trưng, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC Tel: (84-8) 3848-0651
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