Consular Report of Birth Abroad

As U.S. citizen parent(s), you should report your child’s birth abroad as soon as possible to the U.S. Consulate to establish an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record will be the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Form FS-240 which is a basic United States citizenship document.

Children born abroad may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth only if at least one of the natural parents were U.S. citizens at the time of the child’s birth. The exact requirements vary depending on the date of the child’s birth, the marital status of the parents, and which parent (if not both) was a U.S. citizen.

Follow this link for important information for U.S. citizens considering the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) abroad.

The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported as soon as possible so that a Consular Report of Birth Abroad can be issued as an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship:

• A Consular Report of Birth can only be created at a U.S. Consular Office overseas while the child is under age 18.
• Following a certain procedure, you may replace, amend or request multiple copies of a Consular Report of Birth at any time.

Apply for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad for your child

Prepare the following documents:

• Completed (but not signed) application Form DS-2029 Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad   – all questions must be answered;
• If one parent is not a U.S. citizen or if the U.S. citizen parent who is transmitting citizenship to their child is not present when applying for a CRBA, that parent should complete Form DS-5507 as supporting evidence, and it can be used to list the periods of time they spent in the United States.
• If the child was born out-of-wedlock, and the father is a U.S. citizen or non-citizen U.S national, use Form DS-5507 to legally acknowledge the child and voluntarily agree to financially support them. Form DS-5507 may be signed in front of a notary or at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
• The child’s original local birth certificate (in Latvian – dzimšanas apliecība);
• The parents marriage certificate (if applicable);
• Evidence of termination of each parent’s previous marriages (if applicable);
• Evidence of the U.S. citizen parent’s residence in the United States prior to the birth of the child.
• To make an appointment please click here.

In some cases, the consular officer may also ask for additional documentation related to the parents’ life together, the pregnancy, and the child’s birth and subsequent development.  This might include pre- and post-natal medical records, and family photos documenting the mother’s pregnancy, the parents’ wedding ceremony, and the child’s relationship with his or her parents from date of birth to the present.

Under circumstances when no other form of credible evidence of paternity/maternity is available, genetic (DNA) testing may be used for verifying an alleged biological relationship. Such testing is entirely voluntary, must be done in accordance with the U.S. Department of State instructions, and all costs of testing and related expenses must be borne by the family.

An interview is conducted before a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad can be issued. Both the child and the parent(s) are required to be present at the interview.

Third Party Attendance at Passport and CRBA Appointment Interviews

The application fee for this document is $100.00 or the equivalent in Euro to be paid at the Consular Section in cash or by credit card.

If a determination is made that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth, you will be issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America for your child. This document is recognized by U.S. law as a proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship and is acceptable evidence of citizenship for obtaining a passport, entering school, and most other purposes.

Important notice to U.S. citizens seeking to register the birth of a child born in Russia

U.S. Citizens seeking to register the birth of a child who was born in Russia at Embassy Riga, please email askconsular-riga@state.gov for information on how to schedule an interview for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for a child born outside of Latvia. Please be aware that you are subject to all the Latvian country entry requirements including COVID-19 restrictions. Please see our Embassy’s COVID-10 webpage for the most up-to-date information on traveling to Latvia for your interview.