The Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA)

According to the United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, any children born outside the borders of the United States (U.S.) whose parents are U.S. citizen is by law consider citizens of the United States. However, for the child to be legally recognized as a U.S. citizen, the parents should contact the nearest U.S. embassy to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA) to document that the child is a U.S. citizen. What the CRBA form FS-240 means is that you were born in another country or on a U.S. military base to parents of U.S. citizens and your parents registered your birth at a U.S. consulate. A CRBA is a nonstandard birth certificate issued to children born abroad.

How is a CRBA issued?

The State Department keeps records or every birth abroad that is documented. The parents can apply for a U.S. passport at the same time when obtaining a CRBA as soon as possible. A CRBA can only be issued to children under the age of 18. Not applying for a CRBA and U.S. passport can delay travels to the U.S. if you should return to the states or cause problems later if you decide to establish your U.S citizenship. If you were born after December 31, 2010, the Department of State would not have issued a Certificate of Issue of Births form DS-1350. Your Certificate of Issue of Births is valid for all purpose of establishing citizenship and other legal purposes. However, if you are over the age of 18 and your parents did not apply for a CRBA, you may apply for a Certificate of Citizenship. If you were born in current or former territories of the U.S. during the relevant time, you would not have been issued a CRBA. U.S. citizenship can be established by demonstrating proof of birth during the appropriate time.

How can I retrieve a copy of my CRBA certificate?

If your parents registered your birth with the local embassy, you could likely begin your search for your Consular Report of Birth Abroad by requesting us U.S. Government resources or by mail. The documents you will need to furnish with your application request is your full name, date of birth, place of birth, valid photo ID, and passport information. You will need to sign the request with your vital records and documents notarized before you can request your U.S. birth certificate.

What can I do if my parents did not register my birth?

If your parents were not aware or forgot to register your birth with a U.S. Consulate, retrieving your certified birth records can be difficult. However, you can still take steps to acquire your birth records by contacting the local hospital you were born or U.S. military base.

Contact our Certified Field Agent specialists to help you obtain the necessary records in requesting your CRBA! Please call 714-632-3480 to get started and find out how we can help you.