CRBA vs. Passport: Can I Apply for Both at the Same Time?
New parents often ask: "Do I need to get the citizenship certificate (CRBA) first, and then come back later for the passport?"
The short answer is NO.
You can—and absolutely should—apply for both the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and the U.S. Passport at the exact same interview.
Here is why (and how) you should bundle them.
The Difference Between the Documents
- CRBA (Form FS-240): This is proof of citizenship. It never expires. It is like a birth certificate. You can frame it, but you cannot travel with it.
- Passport (Form DS-11): This is a travel document. It expires every 5 years for children. You need it to board a plane.
Why Apply Together?
- One Trip: Visiting an embassy is a hassle. Security checks, waiting rooms, crying babies... do it once, not twice.
- Shared Evidence: Both applications require the exact same proof (parents' IDs, birth certificate, physical presence). Since you have the pile of papers on the officer's desk, use them for both.
- Faster Travel: If you wait for the CRBA to arrive (4 weeks) before applying for a passport (another 4 weeks), you are grounded for 2 months. Applying together cuts that time in half.
How to Do It
1. The Online Part
- Complete the eCRBA application online via MyTravelGov.
- Pay the $100 CRBA fee online.
2. The Paper Part
- Download and fill out Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport).
- Do NOT sign it. You must sign it in front of the consular officer.
- Do NOT pay online. Passport fees for babies are usually paid at the embassy cashier (check your specific embassy's website, but this is the norm).
3. The Appointment
- When you book your CRBA appointment, it counts for the passport too. You don't need two separate slots.
- Tell the intake window: "We are applying for a CRBA and a Passport."
4. The Cost
Be prepared to pay separate fees.
- CRBA: $100 (Paid online beforehand).
- Passport: $135 (Paid at the embassy).
- Total: $235.
What about a Social Security Number (SSN)?
Good news: You can apply for this too! On the DS-2029 (CRBA form), there is usually a checkbox that asks: "Do you want to apply for a Social Security Number for the child?" Check YES. The card will arrive in the mail separately, usually a few weeks after the passport.
Summary
Don't make extra work for yourself.
- Fill out eCRBA online.
- Print DS-11 for the passport.
- Book one appointment.
- Walk out with everything in process.
The hardest part is getting that one appointment. If your embassy's calendar looks full, let us watch it for you.