A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is evidence of United States citizenship, issued to a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Most, 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 CRBA and U.S. passport.
Parents of a newborn U.S. citizen child should apply for a CRBA at the nearest Consular Section at their earliest convenience. Instructions on making an appointment are provided below.
Apply for CRBA
All Applications for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) must be completed online. For eligibility requirements and steps on how to apply, click this button
Application Requirements
The application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad should be completed online by the parent. Please print your application upon completion and bring the required documents, listed below. We require originals for all documentation – these should either be in the English language, or be accompanied by a certified English-language translation if they are in another language.
- $100 (SAR 380) application fee payable by cash (U.S. dollars or Saudi Arabian Riyals) or by U.S. credit card. The Consular Section cannot accept checks.
- Parents and child must appear in person for the appointment.
- Child’s Birth Certificate: If the child is also a Saudi citizen, please provide the birth certificate issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior. If the child is not also a Saudi citizen, please provide the birth certificate issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, Civil Affairs Office. (Note: The child’s hospital birth certificate is not acceptable).
- Evidence of American Citizenship of the Parent(s): US Passport(s), Naturalization Certificate(s), and/or US Birth Certificate(s).
- Both Parents’ Photo Identification: Valid, government-issued form of identification in English (such as U.S or foreign passport or U.S. driver’s license).
- Parents’ official marriage certificate: Note – Religious marriage records are not acceptable. It must be a government issued marriage certificate.
- If applicable, proof of termination of previous marriages: Divorce Decree, Death Certificate.
- For children born to one U.S. citizen and one foreign national, the U.S. citizen parent should provide evidence that s/he has been physically present in the United States for at least five years prior to the child’s birth, two of which must have been over the age of 14. Examples of such evidence include: 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. You can also request your U.S. entry/exit records from the Department of Homeland Security here.
- Out of Wedlock: In the case of a child born out of wedlock, the U.S. citizen father must complete the acknowledgement of paternity and agreement to provide financial support. Please note that U.S. federal law does not recognize polygamous marriages, therefore children born to a second or subsequent spouse are considered out of wedlock under federal law.
- Please bring all original documents with you; they will be returned immediately after the appointment.
PASSPORTS
If you wish to apply for a US passport for your child at the same time as the CRBA, please also bring:
- Form DS-11 “Application for a U.S. Passport” (complete but do not sign)
- 2 inch x 2 inch (5 cm x 5 cm) passport photo of child
- Fees of $115 (SAR 437), payable by cash (U.S. dollars or Saudi Arabian Riyals) or by U.S. credit card. The Consular Section cannot accept checks.
If you wish to replace or amend a CRBA that has already been issued, click here .
Third Party Attendance at Passport and CRBA Appointment Interviews
You may bring someone else with you to your appointment for American Citizens Services (examples: an attorney, an interpreter, or a family member). The individual will be subject to standard security procedures and screening.
- Attendance by an attorney and/or other third party at the appointment does not excuse the personal appearance of the applicant or the applicant’s parent/legal guardian as otherwise required.
- Expenses related to third party attendance are solely the responsibility of the applicant.
- Attendees may take written notes, but may not otherwise record the appointment interviews.
- If applicants would like the U.S. Embassy to be able to communicate with their attendee regarding their case, they should complete a Privacy Act Written consent, available at the time of the interview.
Transmitting Citizenship
Transmission of U.S. citizenship depends on:
- At least one parent having the nationality of the United States at the time of the child’s birth;
- The existence of a blood relationship between the child and U.S. citizen parent(s);
- Documentary evidence demonstrating the U.S. citizen parent(s)’ presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth, as specified in the Transmission Requirements Table below.
Examples of Documentation
Some examples of documentary evidence which may be considered to demonstrate that physical presence requirements have been met may include (but are not limited to):
- Wage and tax statements (W-2)
- Academic transcripts
- Employment records
- Rental receipts
- Records of honorable U.S. military service, employment with U.S. Government or certain intergovernmental international organizations; or as a dependent, unmarried child and member of the household of a parent in such service or employment (except where indicated).
- U.S. passport stamps may be considered a part of the evidence submitted, but should not be the sole documentary evidence. Drivers’ licenses do not constitute evidence of physical presence.
If you have other children who have been issued with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, this may be considered as supplemental evidence. Please also read important information regarding Supporting Documents.
