Birth Abroad

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  1. Report Birth Abroad
  2. Transmitting Citizenship

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) documents the American nationality of a person born abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent. It is not a birth certificate, but it serves as primary evidence of American citizenship. The birth of a child abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent should be reported to the Embassy where the birth occurred as soon as possible in order to establish the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship.

The U.S. Embassy in Asmara can only issue a CRBA for a child born in Eritrea. In some cases we may accept CRBA applications for children born outside Eritrea and forward it to the appropriate Embassy or Consulate for processing: please note only completed applications will be accepted and that this process can take approximately 2-4 months.

At the time a CRBA application is accepted, parents can almost always apply for a first-time passport to be issued along with the CRBA, if they so choose. It takes approximately fifteen business days to process both documents. Once the CRBA and passport are issued, parents are encouraged to apply for a Social Security Card for their child.

We highly recommend that you fill out the required forms before coming into the U.S. Embassy. Forms are available at the American Center located in Geza Banda (former Sudanese Embassy).

Only the parents or legal guardian(s) of a child may apply for a CRBA, and both parents as well as the child need to appear at the U.S. Embassy when applying for a CRBA. The following forms and documents are required for all CRBA applicants, and all documents must be originals and have certified English translations, if necessary.

  • Make an online appointment
  • Fill out DS-2029 – Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (PDF 62 KB)
    • If the American Citizen parent is not able to come to the Embassy, the DS-2029 – Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad  (PDF 62 KB) must be signed by the American citizen parent and notarized with a copy of the U.S.  The original must be brought to the Embassy by the other parent.
  • Bring original Eritrean birth certificate, both with and without a photo.  Note: the name of the applicant should match their birth document(s). Material changes to the applicant’s name must be supported by an amended document or other name change evidence. An affidavit from the parents is not sufficient to establish a material name change.
  • Bring original marriage certificate
  • Bring proof of U.S. citizenship of transmitting parent (valid U.S. passport)
  • Bring other parent’s valid government issued ID
  • Fee:  $100 USD or nakfa equivalent
  • If applying for a passport at the same time, fill out form DS-11 and bring one passport photo.  See the link to the left for additional information on applying for a passport.  There is an additional $105 (or nakfa equivalent) fee for the passport.
    • If the American Citizen parent is not able to come to the Embassy, the original Form DS-3053 (PDF 52 KB), signed by the American citizen parent and notarized with a copy of the U.S. passport attached, must be brought to the Embassy by the other parent.

The following original documents may be required, if applicable:

  • Original naturalization certificate(s) of parent(s)
  • Original divorce decree(s)
  • Original death certificate(s) for parent(s)
  • Proof of five years physical presence in the U.S. of the American citizen parent

 

Residency is not equivalent to physical presence and the burden of proof is on the U.S. citizen parent to provide sufficient evidence of physical presence in the United States. Evidence may include military discharge papers, school transcripts, W-2s and tax returns, and previous CRBAs from the same family (i.e., the children share the same parents).  You are welcome to bring any other documents (i.e. leases, phone bills, bank statements, etc.) as secondary evidence, which may or may not be accepted upon review.

There are two Immigrant Visa alternative routes that may apply to cases where it may be difficult or impossible for a U.S. citizen parent to meet the transmission requirements of physical presence in the United States.  The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows parents to apply for an Immigrant Visa and subsequently U.S. citizenship to children who meet certain criteria.  If the criteria is not met for the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, the American citizen parent may still apply for an immigrant visa for the child, if the family is planning on living in the U.S. permanently.  To file an immigrant visa, please visit www.USCIS.gov.

The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS 240) you received is an important document that verifies citizenship and therefore should be safeguarded.  A copy has been sent to the Department of State for permanent filing, together with the documents you submitted as evidence of entitlement to United States citizenship.  The Consular Report of Birth Abroad may be used in lieu of a U.S. birth certificate for many official purposes such as registration of your child in school, employment, and application for a U.S.  passport.

Only Those Listed Below Are Authorized to Replace or Amend a Consular Report of Birth:

  • The individual whose birth is recorded on the document (if age 18 or older)
  • A parent or legal guardian
  • An authorized government agency or
  • A person with written authorization

On January 3, 2011, the Department of State began issuing a new Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240).  You may request multiple copies of this document at any time.  As of December 31, 2010 the Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350) is no longer issued.  All previously issued FS-240 and DS-1350 documents are still valid for proof of identity, citizenship and other legal purposes.

All Consular Vital Records cost $50 per document.

To Replace a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), You Must Submit:

1. A notarized written (or typed) request that includes all of the following information:

  • Full name of the child at birth
  • Any adoptive names of child
  • Child’s date and place of birth
  • Any available passport information
  • Full name of parents
  • If known, the serial number of the FS-240
  • Signature of requester
  • Legal Guardian(s) Only: A copy of the court order granting guardianship

2. A copy of requester’s valid identification

3. A $50.00 check or money order

  • Make payable to “Department of State”
  • The Department will assume no responsibility for cash lost in the mail.

4. Mail to:

Department of State
Passport Services
Vital Records Section
Room 510
1111 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

To Amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), You Must Submit:

1. A notarized written (or typed) request detailing the amendment or correction needed

2. Certified copies of documents justifying the amendment requested

  • Examples: foreign birth certificate, marriage certificate, court ordered adoption or name change, birth certificates of the adopting or legitimating parents, affidavits, etc.

3.  The original FS-240, or
A replacement FS-240, or
A notarized affidavit stating the whereabouts of the original FS-240

4. A copy of requester’s valid identification

5. A $50.00 check or money order

  • Make payable to “Department of State”
  • The Department will assume no responsibility for cash lost in the mail.

6. Mail to:

Department of State
Passport Services
Vital Records Section
Room 510
1111 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

To check the status of your FS-240 request, call 202-955-0521.

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