Where to Find a Consulate Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA; FS-240)
CRBAs are for children born outside of the United States who have a claim to citizenship. If at least one parent was a US citizen at the time of the child’s birth, the family can go to the local US consulate and apply for a form FS-240. While it is recommended that CRBAs be filed for before age eighteen, there isn’t a time limit for registration.
The process starts by completing application form DS-2029 (or DS-5507 if the US citizen parent is not present). Requirements for these materials will vary for embassies across the world, as well as potential fees, so it is important to find the website of the consulate under which the application will be filed.
An Index of US Embassies Across the World
- Form DS-2029 (As of 2021)
- Form DS-5507 (As of 2020)
- Example of completed DS-2029 by Bermuda consulate
Necessary Documents/Materials:
An original and photocopy of:
- The child’s foreign birth certificate
- Pregnancy and birth records
- Proof of parent/parents’ US citizenship
- passport, citizen/naturalization certificate
- Proof of the parents’ identities
- Proof of relationship between parents
- government-certified marriage certificate; also, any divorce records
- Proof of parent/parents being in the US
- education, medical, financial records, etc.
- Two 2” x 2” photos of the child within the last six months
With the application complete and materials on-hand, an appointment can be scheduled, typically through the consulate’s website.
Replacing a CRBA
CRBAs can be replaced by the US Department of State. A typed or handwritten letter must be sent to their Passport and Vital Records Section, and must be notarized.
Local notaries can often be found online or through a phone book, but common places to notarize a document include:
- Local Government Offices (city/county clerk, court office)
- Local banks
- Law offices
- Public libraries
- Shipping locations (post office, UPS, FedEx)
- Some college/university offices
- Insurance, real estate, or travel offices
People who can request a CRBA:
- The person on the certificate
- A parent or guardian (if a minor)
- A person with a notarized statement to request on the person’s behalf
Information required on/with the request:
- Identity Information
- Full birth name (First, Middle, Last)
- Any other names used
- Adopted name or legal name change
- Birth Date (Month, Date, Year)
- Parent(s) full names
- Parent(s)’ dates of birth
- Parent(s)’ places of birth (City, County)
- (For legal guardians) Certified court order for guardianship
- Passport Information and Documentation
- Passport details
- Date of issuance, expiration, and/or passport number
- Serial number of for original FS-240 document (if known)
- Attached copy of a valid photo ID
- Signature (for the person and those requesting on their behalf)
- Passport details
- Mailing and Payment Information
- Phone number (for the person and those requesting on their behalf)
- Email address (for the person and those requesting on their behalf)
- Mailing address (destination for the new CRBA)
- $50 Money order (for each copy), with an additional $18.32 for 1-2 day shipping after processing
- Send to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213