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Consular Report of Birth Abroad: A Complete Guide

American citizens raising children overseas face the same legal question. How does my child establish United States citizenship for official purposes? The answer is the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

This guide walks through the Report of Birth Abroad CRBA process and applying for a CRBA.

What Is a Consular Report of Birth Abroad?

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad establishes US citizenship at birth for a child born outside the United States. The State Department issues this document under the Immigration and Nationality Act and designates it Form FS-240. The CRBA functions as lifelong proof of citizenship.

A CRBA is neither a passport nor a foreign birth certificate. According to travel.state.gov, the consular report is a separate federal document issued only by the US government.

Who Qualifies for a CRBA?

A child born abroad may qualify if all of the following apply:

At least one parent was a US citizen at the time of birth
The US citizen parent meets the physical presence requirement
The child is under age 18
The child has a genetic or gestational link to that parent

The physical presence requirement specifies five years of US residency by the citizen parent. At least two of those years must occur after age 14.

How to Apply for a CRBA

You apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad through the US embassy or consulate where your child was born. The process operates through an online portal called eCRBA. The basic steps:

Create a MyTravelGov account
Complete Form DS-2029 online
Upload supporting documents
Pay the $100 fee on pay.gov
Schedule an in-person interview

Both parents typically attend the interview alongside the child. The consular officer reviews documentation and confirms eligibility.

What Documents Do You Need?

Bring originals of the following:

The child's foreign birth certificate
Proof of US citizenship for the parent (passport or certificate of citizenship)
Photo ID for both parents
Marriage certificate, if applicable
Proof of US physical presence (school records, tax forms)
Termination of prior marriages, if applicable

How Long Does It Take?

Most CRBA applications require four to five weeks of processing. Parents can submit their child's first US passport application during the same appointment.

How to Replace a Lost CRBA

If your original FS-240 becomes lost, stolen, or damaged, the State Department issues replacements through Form DS-5542. A replacement costs $50. CRBAs issued before November 1, 1990, may need manual retrieval from the National Archives. This may extend processing time to about 14 to 16 weeks.

FAQs

Is a CRBA the same as a birth certificate? No. The CRBA establishes American citizenship, whereas the foreign birth certificate documents the facts of the birth. US citizens born abroad use the CRBA in place of a domestic birth certificate.

Can I get a CRBA after my child turns 18? No. The application must be submitted before the child's 18th birthday. Beyond that age, applicants pursue a Certificate of Citizenship through USCIS instead.

Does a CRBA expire? No. A CRBA remains valid permanently as proof of US citizenship.

Need a Replacement?

A CRBA serves as your child's permanent proof of citizenship. The State Department administers replacements directly. To order supporting vital records online, State Vital Records routes certified requests.