Report a Birth Abroad

Photo Specifications

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad is a certificate that states that a child is a U.S. citizen from birth. Many, but not all children born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, are eligible to be documented as U.S. citizens through issuance of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and U.S. passport.

If you were previously issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and wish to request a replacement copy, please click here. 

Appointment and Interview

Application for a Consular Report of Birth must be made, in person, through a pre-arranged appointment.  The child must accompany the parent to the Embassy. Appointments are available for American citizens Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. We are closed on the last Wednesday of every month and on American and Indian holidays.

Make an Appointment Here

We strongly encourage both parents to be present when filing an application for a child’s CRBA and first time passport.

Required Documents

Parents typically choose to apply for the child's U.S. passport at the same time they apply for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The list below covers both the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, and the U.S. passport. 

Please bring the following original items to the interview:

• Proof the parents' identity and citizenship such as U.S. or other passports.
• Child's original birth certificate issued by the local authorities (including English translation, if applicable). The birth certificate must include the name of the child.
• Two (2) photo studio quality photographs of the child, 2" x 2" in size and taken against a light background. The child must be facing forward with his/her ears showing and eyes open. More here.
• Prenatal and hospital records (e.g., ultrasounds, prescriptions, evidence of pre-natal doctor visits, hospital discharge documents, vaccination card, etc.).  Applicants using surrogacy or ART services should also read here.
• The parents' marriage certificate, or other proof of their relationship prior to the child’s conception. (This is not required if the mother of the child is a U.S. citizen.).
• Proof of the U.S. citizen parent's physical presence in the U.S. (This is not required if BOTH parents are U.S. citizens.)  For children born to one U.S. citizen and one foreign national, the U.S. citizen parent will need to show five years of physical presence in the U.S., two of which must be after the age of 14. Examples of items that show physical presence are school transcripts, income tax returns with Form W-2, Social Security earnings history, pay receipts, passport entry/exit stamps in current and previous passports, etc.
• If also applying for a passport (see below) and only one parent is present in India, the other parent must complete Parental Consent Form DS-3053. This form must be notarized and submitted with a notarized copy of the absent parent's photo ID (their passport is preferred).
• Complete and print the following forms online before coming to your appointment but Please Do Not Sign The Forms Until Directed To Do So By A Consular Officer.
  
  DS-2029, Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (PDF 52KB)
  
  Form DS-2029 Continuation Sheet  (PDF 115KB)(Use this form only if necessary as a continuation sheet for Question number 12 on DS-2029--Precise Periods of Physical Presence in the United States. This form must be completed ONLY for the U.S. citizen parent. If BOTH parents are U.S. citizens, you may disregard this form.)
  
  Form SS-5-FS Application for a Social Security Card (PDF 55KB)
  
  Form DS-11 Application for a U.S. Passport

Insufficient Evidence of Relationship

If the documents provided do not clearly establish the stated relationship, DNA testing may be recommended. It is likely that DNA testing will be recommended in cases using Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART), including surrogacy.

     More information

Fees

Complete fee information is available here. If applying in person, you may pay with cash dollars, cash rupees (at the current exchange rate), demand draft, or a major U.S. credit card. Personal checks are not accepted.

Indian Visa

Whether you plan to stay in India or travel outside India, your child will need an Indian visa. After receiving the passport for your child, you can apply for an Indian visa at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in your area, where the visa will be placed in your child's new passport.  Make an appointment with FRRO here.

East Block-VIII, Level-II                                                                      Sector-1, R.K. Puram                                                                            (Behind Hyatt Regency Hotel)                                                               New Delhi-110066

Phone: 2671-1384/2671-1443                                                                    Hours: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm  

The process of getting an Indian visa generally takes up to three   business days. 

In surrogacy cases, getting the Indian visa can take up to 2 weeks!  Because this is a government of India process, the Embassy cannot say exactly how long it will take, or expedite the process. Your child cannot leave India without this visa.

Passport Processing Time

Except in emergencies, passports are printed in the United States and take approximately 7-10 days. Please consider this timeline when renewing or applying for passports. You will receive an automated email when your passport is ready.

Passport Delivery or Pick Up

If you opt to pick up your CRBA and passport, you may do so between 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding the last Wednesday of the month and American and Indian holidays. You do not need an appointment to pick up your CRBA and passport.

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to provide courier delivery services for CRBA and U.S. passports, effective January 17, 2012.  This service will allow for timely tracking and fast delivery of your CRBAs and passports.  Please read carefully the instructions below so as to arrive at your appointment prepared.

1. At the Embassy, you will be asked to purchase a courier envelope from the VFS agent in the lobby for INR 166. The fee may be paid by cash or demand draft in favor of "VFS GLOBAL SERVICES PVT. LTD." payable at Delhi. Drafts can be drawn on any nationalized or foreign bank. Drafts of co-operative banks are not accepted.  You need to also complete the VFS Courier Slip and send it to us with the demand draft.
2. Once your CRBA and U.S. passport application are processed, the ACS Unit will return the sealed courier envelope containing your CRBA and U.S. passport to VFS. The same will be couriered to the address provided by you or to a Blue Dart (Hold-at-Location), if the delivery address is not serviceable.
3. Once your CRBA and passport reach VFS, you will be able to check the status of your CRBA and U.S. passport by entering the date of birth (MMDDYYYY) at the VFS website.  (Note:  date of birth is used when no previous U.S. passport has been issued).  Please click here to track your CRBA and passport.
4. You will receive a receipt from VFS with the return of your CRBA and passport. 

 

Questions?

acsnd@state.gov