Embassy of the United States Nassau, Bahamas

Determining a Claim to U.S. Citizenship of a Child Born in The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos Islands to at Least One U.S. Citizen Parent

The birth of a child in The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIs) to a U.S. citizen parent (or parents) should be reported as soon as possible to the U.S. consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Nassau for the purpose of assessing the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record is in the form of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America, Form FS-240, abbreviated as "CRBA".  

A Consular Report of Birth (CRBA) can be prepared only at the U.S. consular office in the country/region where the child was born and typically can only be done while the child is under the age of 18.  If your child was born elsewhere than The Bahamas or the TCIs, please contact the U.S. Embassy/Consulate having U.S. consular jurisdiction over the place the child was born. 

In order to determine the child’s citizenship under the appropriate provisions of U.S. law, the following documents must be submitted:

• The child’s local birth certificate
• Proof of U.S. citizenship of the child’s U.S. citizen parent or parents
• Photo I.D. of parents (such as a U.S. or foreign passport)
• Parents’ marriage certificate, if applicable
• Document about termination of any/all previous marriages of either parent, if applicable (divorce decree, death certificate, etc.)
• Affidavit of Physical Presence in the U.S. by the U.S. citizen parent (this can be completed at the consulate, but the parent should be prepared with a general idea of the periods he/she lived in the U.S. from his/her own birth up until the birth of the child.)
• Affidavit of Paternity and Financial Responsibility (required if the child was born outside of wedlock.) 
• Application for a CRBA Form DS-2029 (PDF 52KB)
• Fee in US$ (see current Schedule of Fees) or equivalent in Bahamian dollars.

To apply for a CRBA, the U.S. citizen parent (or one of two U.S. citizen parents) and the child must be present at the Embassy.  Please see ACS appointment system instructions to schedule an appointment.

If the application for U.S. passport is filed at the same time, both parents and a child must be present.   Please see Passports for Children.   An Application for a U.S. Social Security Number SS-5 should also be filed along with the application for CRBA.

If you cannot download the forms contact the Consular section at acsnassau@state.gov and forms will be mailed to you.

Please note:  Acquisition of U.S. citizenship through birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent requires a “blood relationship” of parent and child — the child must be the biological child of the U.S. citizen parent.  Adopted children and step-children of U.S. citizens may be able to obtain U.S. citizenship or residence under other sections of law.  Parents of such children should contact the consular section for information specific to their situation.