Eligibility for a CRBA

If you are a U.S. citizen and the parent of a child born outside of the United States, you may want to document your child’s U.S. citizenship with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad is a formal document certifying the acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth by a person born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent(s). In other words, it is proof of U.S. citizenship. Please note that a CRBA application can only be processed in the American Citizen Services Unit in the country where the child was born while the child is under age 18. The US Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi can accept applications for a child’s CRBA born out of Burundi, however that though we can accept the CRBA application for a child born in another country, the case will be transferred for processing to the embassy in that country. To save time and streamline the process, we strongly encourage applicants – where possible – to apply for the CRBA in the country or consular district where the child was born.

Applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad are accepted by appointment only. Please use the Embassy Appointment System to schedule an appointment. The fee for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad is $100 USD or local equivalent in Burundi Francs at the time of the appointment. One parent must be present with the child to submit an application.

A Consular officer determines the eligibility of U.S. citizen parents to “transmit” citizenship to the child in accordance with the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Please answer the questions below to see information on applying for a CRBA in a family situation similar to your own. The information presented here is a general guideline; a Consular Officer may request additional information or documentation when you apply, depending on the specific circumstances of your case.

Were the child's parents married when the child was born?

Yes

Is one parent a U.S. citizen, or both parents?

Both Parents

One Parent

If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, which parent is the U.S. citizen?

Father

Mother

Child born to two U.S. citizen parents, married

Transmission requirements:

If either parent has resided in the United States prior to the birth of the child, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 301 (c) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. There is no requisite period of residence for the parents in the U.S., but it must have been at some time prior to the birth of the child.

What do I need to provide to apply for my child's CRBA?

Please be prepared to provide the following when you come to the Embassy with your child:

Completed, but unsigned DS-2029 (PDF 108KB) Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad
A birth document for the child (Note: A Consular Officer may request that you provide an acte de naissance issued by the appropriate civil registry in the sector where you live.)
U.S. passport for both parents
Marriage certificate for the parents
Divorce decrees if either parent has been previously married
CRBAs issued to other children (if applicable)
Application fee of $100, payable at the Embassy in U.S. dollars, Rwandan francs, or by credit card

If also applying for a passport, please review our passports for minors page here.

Who needs to come to the Embassy for the appointment?

The child is required to appear. Both parents are strongly encouraged to appear, especially if you will also be applying for a passport at the same time. If both parents are unable to appear, the non-appearing parent should complete the Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage and Support (DS-5507 (PDF 531 KB)) and sign it in front of a Consular Officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The applying parent must present this form at the time of the application.

If also applying for a U.S. passport and one of the parents is unable to appear at the time of the CRBA application, that parent must complete the Statement of Consent: Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 (DS-3053 (PDF 51.5 KB)) and sign it in front of a notary. Please review our passports for minors page here.

My child is very young. How long will we be there?

Usually, families can expect to spend 45 to 60 minutes at the Embassy when applying for a CRBA. This estimate assumes that the family will also apply for a passport and social security number at the same time. While we do strive to quickly process applications, occasionally there may be a longer wait.

To minimize your time in the consular section, we suggest that you bring the completed but unsigned forms below to your appointment:

Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (DS-2029 (PDF 108 KB)),
Application for First-Time Passport (DS-11), and
Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5 (PDF 131 KB)).

Child born to one U.S. citizen parent and one foreign parent, married

Transmission requirements:

The U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the United States for a period (or periods totaling) five years prior to the birth of the child, at least two years of which were after the U.S. citizen parent reached the age of fourteen years. If this requirement is met, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 301(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended by Public Law 99-653 of November 14, 1986).

What do I need to provide to apply for my child's CRBA?

Please be prepared to provide the following when you come to the Embassy with your child:

Completed, but unsigned DS-2029 (PDF 108 KB) Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad
A birth document for the child (Note: A Consular Officer may request that you provide an acte de naissance issued by the appropriate civil registry in the sector where you live.)
U.S. passport for the transmitting parent
Identity document for foreign parent (passport, ID card)
Marriage certificate for the parents
Divorce decrees if either parent has been previously married
Proof of physical presence in the United States for the U.S. citizen parent
CRBAs issued to other children (if applicable)
Application fee of $100, payable at the Embassy in U.S. dollars, Rwandan francs, or by credit card

If also applying for a passport, please review our passports for minors page here.

What is "proof of physical presence"?

While it is impossible to give a precise list of documents as every situation is unique, examples that may help establish an individual's physical presence in the United States could include: entry and exit stamps in passports, transcripts and degrees from high schools and universities, tax records, pay stubs, lease agreements and bills, photos, and any other document or item that would demonstrate presence in the United States over a period of time.

Why do I need to have five years of physical presence, including two years after the age of 14 in order for my child to be a U.S. citizen?

Five years of physical presence, including two after age 14, is a requirement under the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. Congress included this provision in the law to ensure that children born overseas to U.S. citizens would grow up subject to American influences. By requiring a long period of physical presence in order to transmit citizenship, Congress deemed that the citizen parent would have spent enough time in the United States to absorb American customs and values which, in turn, would be transmitted to the child along with U.S. citizenship.

Who needs to come to the Embassy for the appointment?

The child is required to appear. Both parents are strongly encouraged to appear, especially if you will also be applying for a passport at the same time. If both parents are unable to appear, the non-appearing parent should complete the Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage and Support (DS-5507 (PDF 531 KB)) and sign it in front of a notary if in the U.S. or a Consular Officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if living overseas. The applying parent must present this form at the time of the application.

My child is very young. How long will we be there?

To minimize your time in the consular section, we suggest that you bring the completed but unsigned forms below to your appointment:

Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (DS-2029 (PDF 108 KB)),
Application for First-Time Passport (DS-11), and
Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5 (PDF 131 KB)).

Child born to two U.S. citizen parents, unmarried:

Transmission requirements:

The consular officer will apply the requirements of the INA to the benefit of the child. Normally, this means that the officer will apply the section of law relating to unmarried U.S. citizen mothers. If the mother is unable to transmit citizenship, the officer will apply the law regarding unmarried U.S. citizen fathers.

For an unmarried U.S. citizen mother to transmit citizenship, the U.S. citizen mother must have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least one year before the child's birth. This period of presence may have been at any time before the child's birth. If this requirement is met, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 309(c) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act.

For an unmarried U.S. citizen father to transmit citizenship, the U.S. citizen father must have been physically present in the United States for a period (or periods totaling) five years prior to the birth of the child, at least two years of which were after the U.S. citizen father reached the age of fourteen years. A blood relationship between the U.S. citizen father and the child is established by clear and convincing evidence, and the father acknowledges paternity. The U.S. citizen father must sign a written agreement to provide financial support until the child reaches the age of 18 years. If these requirements are met, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 301(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended by Public Law 99-653 of November 14, 1986).

Child born to U.S. citizen mother and foreign father, unmarried

Transmission requirements:

The U.S. citizen mother must have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least one year before the child's birth. This period of presence may have been at any time before the child's birth. If this requirement is met, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 309(c) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act.

What do I need to provide to apply for my child's CRBA?

Please be prepared to provide the following when you come to the Embassy with your child:

Completed, but unsigned DS-2029 (PDF 108 KB) Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad
A birth document for the child (Note: A Consular Officer may request that you provide an acte de naissance issued by the appropriate civil registry in the sector where you live.)U.S. passport for the mother
U.S. passport for the mother
Identity document for the child's father (if listed on the birth document for the child)
CRBAs issued to other children (if applicable)
Application fee of $100, payable at the Embassy in U.S. dollars, Rwandan francs, or by credit card

If also applying for a passport, please review our passports for minors page here.

Who needs to come to the Embassy for the appointment?

The child is required to appear. The U.S. citizen mother should also appear. If two parents are listed on the birth document, both are encouraged to appear, especially if you will also be applying for a passport at the same time. (If two parents are listed on the birth document, both parents must sign the passport application, even if the parents are not married. Please see our Passports for Minors page for more information on two parent consent.)

If the U.S. citizen mother is unable to appear, she should complete the Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage and Support (DS-5507 (PDF 531 KB)) and sign it in front of a notary if in the U.S. or a Consular Officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if living overseas. The applying parent must present this form at the time of the application.

If the birth document lists two parents, and you plan to apply for a U.S. passport, both parents must consent to the issuance of the passport. If one of the parents is unable to appear at the time of the CRBA application, that parent must complete the Statement of Consent: Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 (DS-3053 (PDF 51.5 KB)) and sign it in front of a notary. Please review our passports for minors page here.

My child is very young. How long will we be there?

To minimize your time in the consular section, we suggest that you bring the completed but unsigned forms below to your appointment:

Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (DS-2029 (PDF 108 KB)),
Application for First-Time Passport (DS-11), and
Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5 (PDF 131 KB)).

Child born to U.S. citizen father and foreign mother, unmarried

Transmission requirements:

A blood relationship between the U.S. citizen father and the child is established by clear and convincing evidence, and the father acknowledges paternity.

The U.S. citizen father must sign a written agreement (as described below) to provide financial support until the child reaches the age of 18 years.

If these requirements are met, the child acquires U.S. citizenship under the provisions of Section 301(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended by Public Law 99-653 of November 14, 1986).

What do I need to provide to apply for my child's CRBA?

Please be prepared to provide the following when you come to the Embassy with your child:

Completed, but unsigned DS-2029 (PDF 108 KB) Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad
A birth document for the child (Note: A Consular Officer may request that you provide an acte de naissance issued by the appropriate civil registry in the sector where you live.)U.S. passport for the father
U.S. passport for the father
Identity document for the child's mother (if listed on the birth document for the child)
Proof of physical presence in the United States for the U.S. citizen parent
CRBAs issued to other children (if applicable)
Application fee of $100, payable at the Embassy in U.S. dollars, Rwandan francs, or by credit card

If also applying for a passport, please review our passports for minors page here.

What is "proof of physical presence"?

Why do I need to have five years of physical presence, including two years after the age of 14 in order for my child to be a U.S. citizen?

Who needs to come to the Embassy for the appointment?

The child is required to appear. The U.S. citizen father should also appear. If two parents are listed on the birth document, both are encouraged to appear, especially if you will also be applying for a passport at the same time. (If two parents are listed on the birth document, both parents must sign the passport application, even if the parents are not married. Please see our Passports for Minors page for more information on two-parent consent.)

If the U.S. citizen father is unable to appear, he should complete the Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage and Support (DS-5507 (PDF 531 KB)) and sign it in front of a notary if in the U.S. or a Consular Officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if living overseas. The applying parent must present this form at the time of the application.

My child is very young. How long will we be there?

To minimize your time in the consular section, we suggest that you bring the completed but unsigned forms below to your appointment:

Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (DS-2029 (PDF 108 KB)),
Application for First-Time Passport (DS-11), and
Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5 (PDF 131 KB)).