If you're a U.S. citizen and your child was born outside the United States, you might be wondering how to establish their U.S. citizenship. This is where the [Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)](/immigration-resources/crba-guide) comes in. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the CRBA, its importance, and how to navigate the application process.

A CRBA is a document issued by a [U.S. embassy or consulate](/immigration-resources/b1-b2-visa-interview-guide) abroad that certifies a child's U.S. citizenship at birth. It serves as an official record of the child's claim to U.S. citizenship or nationality. However, it's important to note that a CRBA is not a form of identification like a passport. Its primary purpose is to prove U.S. citizenship or nationality, especially when applying for a [passport or other benefits](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html^).

Stay with us as we delve deeper into the CRBA, its [eligibility criteria](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/birth-abroad.html^), application process, and some frequently asked questions. By the end of this article, you should have a clear understanding of the CRBA and how to go about the application process.

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a critical document for U.S. citizens who have a child born outside the United States. It serves as an official proof of your child's U.S. citizenship or nationality. 

You can obtain a CRBA from a U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where your child was born. To do this, you'll need to apply for the CRBA, which we'll cover in more detail in the next section. 

It's important to understand that a CRBA is not a form of identification like a passport. It cannot be used to travel or prove your identity. Its sole purpose is to establish your child's claim to U.S. citizenship or nationality. 

This distinction is crucial because while a CRBA proves citizenship, it doesn't come with the benefits that a passport does. For example, your child will still need a passport to travel internationally. However, having a CRBA can make the process of obtaining a passport for your child much smoother.

In the next section, we'll discuss who is eligible to apply for a CRBA and the specific criteria that must be met.

Not everyone can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). There are specific criteria that must be met to be eligible. Let's break down these criteria to help you determine if you can apply for a CRBA for your child.

The general rule is that the child must be under the age of 18 at the time of application. The parents' citizenship status, marital status, and their biological or gestational relationship to the child also play a significant role in determining eligibility.

If both parents are U.S. citizens, they must show that at least one of them has resided in the United States or its outlying possessions before the child's birth.

If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, that parent must have been physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period of at least five years, at least two of which were after the age of 14.

If the U.S. citizen parent is unmarried, the criteria differ slightly. The U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period of at least one year.

In all cases, the U.S. citizen parent(s) must have a biological or gestational relationship to the child. This means that the U.S. citizen parent(s) must be the genetic and/or gestational parent of the child and must also be the legal parent of the child at the time of the child's birth.

In the next section, we'll walk you through the application process for a CRBA.

Now that you understand what a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is and whether you're eligible to apply, let's walk through the application process. It involves several steps, including completing a form, gathering [necessary documents](https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/birth/crba-2/^), preparing payment, and making an appointment at the nearest consulate.

The first step in the CRBA application process is to complete [Form DS-2029](https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds2029.PDF^), Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad. You can find this form on the U.S. Department of State's website. Make sure to fill out the form accurately and completely.

Next, you'll need to gather the necessary documents. These typically include:

The [application fee](/immigration-resources/

D. Making an Appointment at the Nearest Consulate

Finally, you'll need to make an appointment at the [nearest U.S. embassy or consulate](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html^) to submit your application and documents. You can usually do this online through the embassy or consulate's website.

Remember, the process can take some time, so it's a good idea to start as soon as you have all the necessary information and documents. In the next section, we'll answer some frequently asked questions about the CRBA process.

While the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) process is applicable to most U.S. citizens with children born outside the United States, there are some exceptions. Certain U.S. territories are not considered "abroad" for the purposes of a CRBA. If your child was born in these territories during specific time periods, they are not considered to be "born abroad" and therefore cannot apply for a CRBA.

Here are the territories and the specific time periods that are exceptions:

In the final section, we'll wrap up everything we've covered about the CRBA process.

Applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is an important step for U.S. citizens who have a child born outside the United States. It serves as an official record of your child's claim to U.S. citizenship or nationality.

We've covered what a CRBA is, who is eligible to apply, how to apply, and answered some frequently asked questions about the process. We've also discussed the exceptions to the CRBA process for individuals born in certain U.S. territories during specific time periods.

Remember, the CRBA is not a form of identification like a passport. Its primary purpose is to prove U.S. citizenship or nationality. However, having a CRBA can make the process of obtaining a passport for your child much smoother.

We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of the CRBA process. If you're considering applying for a CRBA for your child, we encourage you to start the process as soon as you have all the necessary information and documents. Good luck!

If you're a U.S. citizen with a child born abroad, the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) certifies your child's U.S. citizenship. It's not an ID, but proof of citizenship. To apply, your child must be under 18 and have at least one U.S. citizen parent. Complete Form DS-2029, gather necessary documents, prepare payment, and schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate. CRBA records are protected by privacy laws. Exceptions exist for certain U.S. territories. Start the CRBA process early to establish your child's U.S. citizenship.

CRBA Process: A Guide for U.S. Citizens with Children Born Abroad

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