What is a CRBA?
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, Form FS-240) is an official document issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate. It serves as definitive proof that a child born outside the United States acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. The CRBA is one of the most important documents an American family living overseas will ever obtain.
The CRBA is issued under the authority of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and is accepted as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship by all federal and state agencies. It carries the same legal weight as a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory.
Important: A CRBA is NOT a passport, but it is the primary document required to obtain your child's first U.S. passport and Social Security Number. Most families apply for both the CRBA and passport in the same appointment.
New to CRBAs? Read our beginner-friendly overview: What Is a CRBA and Why Does Your Child Need One?
Are You Eligible?
Eligibility for a CRBA depends on the citizenship status of the parents, their marital status, and how long the U.S. citizen parent(s) lived in the United States before the child's birth. The rules differ based on several scenarios outlined below.
If both parents are U.S. citizens and are married, at least one parent must have resided in the United States or its territories at any point prior to the child's birth. There is no minimum duration — even a brief period of residence qualifies.
If the child was born after November 14, 1986 to married parents where one is a U.S. citizen and the other is a foreign national, the U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the United States for at least 5 years before the child's birth, with at least 2 of those years after age 14.
This is the most common eligibility scenario and applies to the majority of CRBA applicants today.
For children born before November 14, 1986 to married parents where one is a U.S. citizen, the U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the United States for at least 10 years before the child's birth, with at least 5 of those years after age 14.
If the father is a U.S. citizen and the parents are not married, the father must meet the 5-year physical presence requirement (2 years after age 14). Additionally, the father must:
- Establish a biological relationship to the child (DNA test or other evidence)
- Agree in writing to provide financial support until the child turns 18
- Legitimize or acknowledge paternity before the child turns 18
If the mother is a U.S. citizen and the parents are not married, the mother must have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least 1 year at any time prior to the child's birth.
Note: Following the Supreme Court's ruling in Sessions v. Morales-Santana (2017), the State Department updated guidance on this provision. For births after June 12, 2017, consult the embassy for the most current requirements.
Need help calculating your physical presence? See our detailed breakdown: How to Prove Physical Presence for a CRBA
Required Documents
Gathering the correct documents is the most time-consuming part of the CRBA process. Missing even one document can result in a delayed or denied application. Below is a comprehensive list organized by category.
- Local birth certificate — original, issued by the country where the child was born
- Certified English translation of the birth certificate (if not in English)
- Passport-style photos — 2x2 inch (51x51mm), white background, taken within last 6 months
One of the following:
- Valid U.S. passport or passport card
- CRBA (if the parent was also born abroad)
- Naturalization certificate (Form N-550 or N-570)
- U.S. birth certificate
- Valid passport (preferred)
- Or two forms of government-issued photo ID
- Government-issued marriage certificate (civil registry or court-issued)
- Prior marriage termination — divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate (if applicable)
- Evidence of biological relationship — medical records, prenatal/ultrasound records, hospital discharge papers naming both parents
See the dedicated section below for a comprehensive breakdown of what counts and what doesn't.
Get a printable version: Complete CRBA Document Checklist
Physical Presence Evidence
If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, proving physical presence in the United States is often the most challenging part of the CRBA process. You need to show that the U.S. citizen parent spent at least 5 years in the U.S. (2 years after age 14). Here's what consular officers accept — and what they don't.
- School transcripts — elementary through university, showing enrollment dates and U.S. address
- W-2 forms and tax returns — showing U.S.-based employment
- Social Security earnings statements — request from SSA.gov showing year-by-year earnings history
- Military records (DD-214) — showing active duty dates and locations
- Old passport stamps — entry/exit stamps showing time spent in the U.S.
- CBP travel records — I-94 arrival/departure records (available online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
- Employment records — offer letters, pay stubs, or HR verification with U.S. address
- Lease agreements or mortgage records — showing U.S. residential address
- Medical records — with U.S. provider and dates of service
- Driver's licenses — do not prove physical presence (you can hold a license while living abroad)
- Bank statements or financial records — do not prove you were physically in the U.S.
- Voter registration cards — registration does not prove physical presence
Tip: If you left the U.S. years ago and are struggling to gather evidence, start with your Social Security earnings statement and school transcripts. These two sources alone often cover the required 5 years. You can request SSA records online at ssa.gov.
Read our full guide: How to Prove Physical Presence for a CRBA
The eCRBA Process
The eCRBA (electronic CRBA) system replaced the old paper-based process. Everything is now submitted online through the MyTravelGov portal. Here are the 6 steps from start to finish.
1. Create a MyTravelGov Account
Go to travel.state.gov and create your account. You will need a valid email address. This is the official U.S. State Department portal for all consular services, including eCRBA applications.
2. Complete the DS-2029 Application
Fill out the digital DS-2029 form (Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America). Enter information about the child, both parents, and the U.S. citizen parent's physical presence history. Double-check all names and dates — errors will cause delays.
3. Upload Required Documents
Upload scans or clear photos of all required documents (birth certificate, passports, marriage certificate, physical presence evidence). All non-English documents must include certified translations. Ensure files are legible — blurry uploads will be rejected.
4. Pay the $100 Application Fee
Submit the $100 CRBA application fee online. Payment is required before you can schedule an appointment. If you are also applying for a passport, the passport fee ($100 application + $35 execution) is separate and typically paid at the consulate.
5. Wait for Processing & Schedule Appointment
After payment, you must wait at least 72 hours before scheduling an in-person appointment. The embassy will review your documents during this period. Appointment availability varies widely by location — this is often the longest wait in the entire process.
6. Attend In-Person Interview
Bring the child, both parents (if possible), and ALL original documents to your appointment. The consular officer will verify your identity, review originals, and may ask questions about your physical presence in the U.S. See the interview section below for detailed preparation tips.
Step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots: How to Apply for a CRBA (eCRBA Tutorial)
What to Expect at Your Interview
The in-person interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate is the final step. If your documents are complete and in order, the interview itself is typically brief — often under 30 minutes. Here's how to prepare.
Who Must Attend
- The child must be present (even infants)
- Both parents should attend if at all possible
- If one parent cannot attend: the absent parent must complete Form DS-5507 (Affidavit of Parentage) before a notary, plus a copy of their photo ID
What to Bring
- ALL original documents — the consular officer will compare originals with your uploaded copies
- Printed appointment confirmation
- Passport-sized photos of the child (if applying for passport simultaneously)
During the Interview
- The consular officer will review your original documents and may ask about your physical presence in the U.S.
- The officer may request additional documents at their discretion — this is normal and not a cause for alarm
- If everything is in order, you'll receive confirmation that the CRBA will be issued and mailed to you
Trouble finding an appointment? Understanding grey calendar dates and availability
Costs & Fees
Here is a breakdown of the fees you should expect when applying for a CRBA.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CRBA Application | $100 | Paid online via MyTravelGov |
| Passport Application (DS-11) | $100 | If applying simultaneously (recommended) |
| Passport Execution Fee | $35 | Paid at the consulate |
| Document Translation | $30–$100+ | Varies by language and document length |
| Passport Photos | $5–$15 | 2x2 inch, white background |
| Total Estimated Cost | $235–$350+ | CRBA + passport + translations + photos |
Fees are set by the U.S. Department of State and may change. Check travel.state.gov for the most current fee schedule.
Processing Timeline
Processing times vary by embassy and consulate. Here is a typical timeline from start to finish.
Document Gathering
1–4 weeksCollecting birth certificates, translations, physical presence evidence, and passport photos. This often takes the longest if you need to request records.
Online Application (DS-2029)
1–2 hoursFilling out the eCRBA form and uploading documents through MyTravelGov.
Payment + Waiting Period
72+ hoursAfter paying the $100 fee, you must wait at least 72 hours before scheduling an appointment.
Scheduling an Appointment
Varies widelyThis is often the longest delay. Popular consulates (London, Manila, Mexico City) may have wait times of weeks to months. Less busy posts may have same-week availability.
Post-Interview Processing
4–8 weeksAfter a successful interview, the CRBA certificate and passport (if applied for) are printed and mailed to you.
Current wait times by location: CRBA Processing Timeline in 2026
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the most frequent reasons CRBA applications are delayed or denied. Avoid them and your process will go smoothly.
Insufficient physical presence evidence
Start gathering school transcripts, SSA records, and tax documents well in advance. You need proof of 5+ years of living in the U.S.
Bringing copies instead of originals
Consular officers require ALL original documents at the interview. Photocopies and scans are not accepted as substitutes.
Using a church marriage certificate
Only government-issued civil marriage certificates are accepted. Religious certificates, no matter how official they look, will be rejected.
Waiting until the child is almost 18
CRBAs cannot be issued after the child turns 18. Start the process as early as possible — ideally within the first year after birth.
Scheduling appointment before 72-hour waiting period
After payment, the system requires a 72-hour review period. Attempting to schedule earlier will result in errors or rejected bookings.
Not translating foreign-language documents
Every non-English document must have a certified English translation. Showing up without translations will result in a rescheduled appointment.
Spelling errors on the DS-2029 form
Names, dates, and places must match your supporting documents exactly. Errors on the form can delay issuance or require corrections later.
Made an error on your CRBA? How to Correct Errors on a CRBA