What You Need To Do To Register The Birth Of US Citizens Abroad

What You Need To Do To Register The Birth Of US Citizens Abroad

The globalized nature of our world means that people travel a great deal. With that in mind, it is hardly surprising to see citizens of the United States found in all corners of the world. It is widespread and extremely common for US citizens to travel to other countries for extended periods of time. Some do so for business or employment, while others prefer to live overseas. While away, some people give birth to children in other countries. In these scenarios, it is important to register the birth such that the United States government will recognize the child. This article will provide information on how to register a child born to a US citizen in a foreign country.

An Introduction To Consular Report Of Birth Abroad

As an American citizen, chances are, if your child is born overseas, you will want them to gain American citizenship. It will enable your non-US-born child to live and work in America without any immigration difficulties.

To ensure the child born abroad becomes a citizen of the United States, you must apply for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). The CRBA document is there to prove a child's citizenship; it can be obtained from the US consulate or embassy in the state or country where the birth took place. To make an application, the parent(s) should contact their nearest consulate office or embassy.

Who Is Eligible?

First and foremost is that the child must be under the age of 18. It is strongly advised the application is made as soon as the child is born rather than leaving it till later. One of the parents will need to be a citizen of the United States. It will help if the parents are married, and the child is biologically related. The different possible circumstances are outlined below.

Parents Are Married, And Both Are US Citizens

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad can be issued with the child obtaining US citizenship if both parents are married and are US citizens. CRBA can also be obtained if only one of the parents is related biologically.

The Parents Are Married, And One Of Them Is A US Citizen

It is possible to obtain a CRBA for the child if the parents are married, and one of the parents is a US citizen. The child's birth must have taken place after 13 November 1986, and the parent with US citizenship must have resided in the United States for at least 5 years before the birth of the child.

The Parents Are Not Married, And The Male Parent Is A US Citizen

A male parent with US citizenship can enable their child to become an American citizen if they:

• • Provide a written letter stating they will support the child financially until the age of 18,
• • Provide evidence to confirm they were an American citizen at the time of the child's birth,
• • Prove they are related by blood.

The Parents Are Not Married, And The Female Parent Is A US Citizen

If the birth took place before 12 June 2017, the child can receive the CRBA as long as the female US citizen lived in the USA for at least 1 year before birth. If the child was born on or after 12 June 2017, the female parent needs to have lived in the United States for 5 years for the child to qualify for the CRBA.

Making An Application For A Consular Report of Birth Abroad

After determining whether your child is eligible for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, visit the US Embassy website using this link. You can find the embassy details of the country where you are located through the link. They will provide specific instructions on how to register for the CRBA.

With some embassies, it is possible to register online. With others, visiting the embassy in person is necessary to complete and process the application. The general steps are, however, very similar and they are outlined below.

Documentation And The Necessary Forms Required

If both parents are US citizens, you must complete the DS-2029 form. If one of the parents is not a citizen of the United States, it is necessary to fill in the DS-5507 form. Typically the following documentation is required with the application:

• • The child's birth certificate,
• • Parent's marriage certificate,
• • Evidence to confirm the US citizenship of the parents (this could be documents such as a birth certificate, US passport, naturalization certificate, etc.),
• • Documents to prove the end of any previous marriages (e.g., divorce papers or death certificates).

Online Applications

You can determine if the embassy or consulate in your country accepts online applications by checking the embassy website. Online applications are currently possible in forty countries. The list will expand, with more embassies expected to be added in the future. If the embassy in your country accepts an online application, you will need to create an account on the MyTravelGov website.

Registering The Birth Of Your Child

If you are a US citizen and your child is born overseas, apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. It will enable the child to be recognized by the US authorities such that your child can acquire US citizenship. Though it can be completed anytime until the child reaches the age of 18, it is recommended the application is made as soon as the child is born.