Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) (Form DS-2029)

Who qualifies

A child under 18 born abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent who met statutory U.S. physical presence requirements prior to the child's birth.

The step-by-step roadmap

1. 1

   Confirm Eligibility and Physical Presence

   Verify the U.S. citizen parent met the required physical presence in the U.S. before the child was born.

   Watch out: Time spent abroad on vacation cannot count toward physical presence unless specifically exempt.

   Common rejection reason: Failing to prove the parent spent enough continuous years physically inside the U.S.
2. 2

   Gather Supporting Evidence

   Collect the child's local birth record, marriage records, parental citizenship proof, and presence records.

   Watch out: Foreign documents must be official certified originals and accompanied by certified English translations.

   Common rejection reason: Submitting unofficial hospital birth notices instead of registered civil birth records.
3. 3

   Complete Form DS-2029 and Pay Fee

   Fill out Form DS-2029 accurately online via eCRBA or on paper, and pay the $100 Department of State fee.

   Watch out: Enter dates of physical presence chronologically without overlapping or unverified date ranges.

   Common rejection reason: Unexplained gaps in physical presence documentation or incorrect fee payment confirmation.
4. 4

   Attend the Consular Interview

   Bring the child and original documents to the scheduled interview at the local U.S. embassy or consulate.

   Watch out: Both parents generally must attend in person unless one parent submits formal notarized consent.

   Common rejection reason: Failure to bring the child or missing mandatory original identity and relation documents.

Documents you'll need

• Child's Official Birth Certificate

  Original foreign civil birth certificate listing the child's name, birth date, and parents' names.

  Note: Must be issued by the local government civil registry, not a private hospital.

• Parent's Proof of U.S. Citizenship

  Valid U.S. passport, original U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Naturalization Certificate.

  Note: Must establish parent's citizenship before the child's birth date.

• Proof of Physical Presence in the U.S.

  Official records proving time lived in the U.S. such as school transcripts, tax filings, or employment records.

  Note: Driver's licenses, utility bills, and leases alone are usually insufficient.