Birth of a US Citizen in China

Congratulations on the birth of your child!

Your child needs a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a U.S. passport and a social security card.  On this page we'll tell you what you need to do to get them.

What Is A Consular Report of Birth Abroad?
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is evidence of United States citizenship, issued to a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Is My Child Eligible for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad?
In order to determine whether or not the U.S. citizen parent(s) is/are able to transmit citizenship, please refer to Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship By a Child Born Abroad.

When Do I Need to Start?
CRBA applications must be made before the child's 18th birthday.  We recommend that parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child's birth. Passport applications may also be submitted along with your child’s CRBA application.  Anyone who has a claim to U.S. citizenship must be in possession of a valid U.S. passport to enter and exit the United States, even if they have citizenship of another country, as well.

Who needs to appear at the Consulate?                                              The U.S. citizen parent(s) and the child born in China must appear. We strongly recommend, and retain the right to require, that both parents and the child be present for the CRBA interview. Please note: if you are applying for the child's first passport at the same time as the CRBA, both parents and the child must be present.

How Long Does it Take?
Once we have everything we need, processing time for both the Consular Report of Birth Abroad and passport is normally about 10 days. However, because unforeseen events happen, please don't make any unchangeable travel plans until you have your child’s first U.S. passport in hand.  We’ll send you an email once the passport and Consular Report of Birth has arrived.  One of the parents, or persons authorized in writing by at least one parent, must appear in person to pick up your child’s CRBA and U.S. passport.  When picking up these documents, you may also apply for your child's Social Security card.  We will forward the completed social security application, on your behalf, to the regional U.S. Social Security Administration office located in Manila.  Your child's Social Security card will be sent to you directly by the Social Security Administration. Please allow three to six months for the card to arrive.

Can you mail the CRBA to me?
Yes, mailling service is available. Please click here for more details.

What if I lose the CRBA or the CRBA contains incorrect information?Only one original of the Report of Birth is issued to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Additional copies are not available at the Consulate. You must contact the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. for a replacement.  The Department of State’s Vital Records Section handles lost CRBAs.  More information is available on replacing or amending is available on the State Department’s travel website.

Let's Get Started...

Step 1:  Please review the application information on this page carefully and prepare your documentation and application forms accordingly.  All documents submitted to American Citizen Services must be originals or true copies certified by the issuing authority.  

• Parent's proof of U.S. citizenship.  U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or official birth certificate from a U.S. state or territory.
• Original Child's Chinese birth certificate.  English translation is not required.  
• Evidence of parents' marriage.  If applicable, original or certified true copy of parents’ marriage certificate.
• Evidence of termination of all prior marriages of parents.  If applicable, original or certified true copies of divorce or death certificates.
• Completed Consular Report of Birth Abroad application: Form DS-2029
•  American Citizen parent's documentary evidence of physical presence in the United States prior to the child's birth.   This is required when only one parent is a U.S. citizen even if that parent was born in the U.S.  Merely maintaining a residence in the U.S. (having a home in the U.S., maintaining voter registration, etc.) is insufficient evidence of physical presence in the United States.   U.S. law requires that you must physically be in the U.S. for a total of five years, with two of those years being after the age of 14.  Physical presence is the actual time when the parent was physically within the borders of the United States.  This means that any travel outside the United States, including vacations, must be excluded. Maintaining a residence in the U.S. does not constitute physical presence.  Please submit old passports as evidence, including Chinese passports used to enter or leave the United States.  Other evidence, such as U.S. school transcripts showing periods of attendance, W-2 forms, pay stubs, utility bills, U.S. employment references, old letters, etc., may be required. Note: Any periods of time spent overseas with the United States Military/Government or qualifying international organization (such as the United Nations) may be counted as physical presence in the United States for transmission of citizenship purposes.  Time spent as a dependent of such person may also be computed as physical presence. Military records or other proof may be requested.
• Completed U.S. passport application: Form DS-11
• One U.S. passport-sized photo:  2" X 2", with a white background showing the child's full face with the eyes open.  If the child is being held up in front of a camera, please ensure that no part of the child's head or face is obstructed.

Tips for getting a great picture: Please make sure your child's eyes are open in the photo. One way to do this is to drape a white sheet over one (sitting) parent, who also holds the baby's head and neck upright under the sheet. The other partner takes the photo. A second way is to place the child on a white blanket on the floor and take the photo while standing over him/her. You can also go to a professional photographer if you prefer.

• Fee.  The application fee for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad is USD$100.00.  The application fee for minor U.S. passports is $105.00.  (Payment Options) 

Step 2:  Please make an appointment online

Step 3:  All application forms should be completed, printed out and ready to bring with you to your scheduled appointment.   All supporting documentation must also be prepared for review by a consular officer.   Should you not have the required forms completed, or not have supporting documentation as noted in Step 2 above, please cancel your appointment and reschedule one for when your forms and supporting documents are complete.  Should you arrive at the Consulate for your appointment with unprepared forms or missing documents the Consulate may cancel your appointment and you will be asked to reschedule an one for a later time. 

Additional Information

In some cases where the American citizenship of a child is to be established, consular officers may request additional evidence of family relationship before a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or passport can be issued. Such documentation may include marriage/family photos, remittance slips, prenatal records such as pregnancy photos, hospital bills, sonograms or other medical records.  At the end of your interview, the consular officer will inform you of any additional documentation requirements.