Birth of a U.S. Citizen in Thailand

Information on acquisition of U.S. citizenship by a child born abroad

The American Citizen Services section accepts applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad by appointment only. To make an appointment for this service, please go to ACS Appointment System Website.

General Information

The Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA) 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 U.S. 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. You may apply for a child's U.S. passport at the same time you apply for the CRBA.

Most, but not all, children born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, are eligible to be documented as U.S. citizens through issuance of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and U.S. passport. (Information on acquiring citizenship by birth abroad.)

Please note that Embassy Bangkok can approve or deny CRBA applications only for children born in Thailand. If a child was born in another country, we can only collect the application and supporting documents and forward them to the U.S. Embassy in that country for adjudication.

When departing Thailand for the first time after the child's birth, Thai Immigration authorities may wish to see the child's local (Thai) birth certificate. You should carry the Thai birth certificate when departing Thailand.

Procedure

Note: Please fill out forms in advance-see below for appropriate links.

1. Make an appointment online. The American Citizen Services section accepts applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad by appointment only. To make an appointment for this service, please go to ACS Appointment System Website.
2. Complete form DS-2029, Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (PDF 52KB). Do not sign the form until instructed to do so at your appointment.
3. Complete form DS-5507, Affidavit of Parentage, Physical Presence and Support. Do not sign until instructed to do so at your appointment.
4. If applying for a passport at the same time, complete the passport application form DS-11. Both parents must sign the passport application for children under the age of 16, but do not sign until instructed to do so at your appointment. Please see additional passport requirements for children under the age of 16.
5. Submit the completed forms listed above and required supporting documents (see below for details) to the American Citizen Services section at your appointment.

When you come for your appointment, please bring:

• Your child-your child, even a newborn, must appear in person at our office at the time you make the application. There are no exceptions for this requirement.
• Both parents (or a notarized consent from the non-appearing parent)

Documentary Requirements

Please provide the following original documents (these will be returned):

1. Original Thai birth certificate for the child (issued by the district office) and an English translation. Please see a list of translators in the Bangkok area (PDF 50KB)
2. Proof of citizenship of U.S. citizen parent(s)-please bring one of the following original documents:

• U.S. passport (please bring your passport if you have one),
• U.S. birth certificate (original or copy certified by an official government custodian of birth records),
• Certificate of Naturalization (required for naturalized citizens even if presenting a U.S. passport), or
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• Passport (if available) or ID card of non-U.S. citizen parent, if applicable. Please bring your passport if you have one.
• Parent's marriage certificate, if any (original or certified copy). Please provide an English translation if the original is not in English.
• Proof of termination of any previous marriages, if any, in the form of

• Divorce decree (original or certified copy) or
• Death certificate (original or certified copy)
•  Parents' current and previous passport(s)-previous passport(s) needed if current passport does not cover the time of conception and pregnancy.
• For children born to one U.S. citizen and one foreign national, the U.S. citizen parent will need to show five years of physical presence in the U.S., two of which must be after the age of 14. Examples of items that show physical presence are school transcripts, income tax returns with Form W-2, Social Security earnings history, pay receipts, passport entry/exit stamps in current and previous passports, etc.
• If applying for a passport at the same time, two identical photographs are required. They must be recent, 2 x 2 inches (with the size of the head between 1 and 1 3/8 inches), in color. The photos must be clear, front view, full face, and in focus. The background must be plain white or off-white. Please print the applicant's first and last names on the backs of both photos.
• Pay the required fees: $100 for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, $105 for a passport for a minor under the age of 16; total of $205. Fees may be paid in U.S. Dollars, Thai Baht, or by credit card.
• Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and passports must be picked up at the ACS section by the applicant, applicant's parents, or authorized representative unless you have made arrangement to have the CRBA mailed to you. The CRBA is printed in the United States and will be available two to three weeks after approval.

Please do not sign any documents until asked to so by the Consular Officer.

Note: Documents in a language other than English must be translated into english.  Bring both the original translation with you to your appointment.

DNA Examinations

In some instances it is not possible to conclusively determine the U.S. citizenship of a child at birth. In these cases, the Consular Officer may request a DNA exam to establish parentage. This will involve the supervised taking of saliva samples from the child and the father and/or mother. Please do not conduct independent DNA exams, as only results from Embassy ordered tests can be used to determine a genetic relationship for citizenship purposes.