Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

31 MINUTE READ

May 12, 2023

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

OVERVIEW

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a formal document certifying the acquisition of United States citizenship at birth for a person born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements to transmit citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). U.S. non-citizen nationals are also eligible for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, using the non-citizen option.

The CRBA is not a travel document; you may wish to consider applying for the child’s U.S. passport at the same time as the CRBA, and well in advance of any travel to the United States. Under U.S. law U.S. citizens must enter and depart the United States on a U.S. passport, even if they hold another nationality and passport.

When to Apply: CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday. We recommend that parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth.

By U.S. Embassy Singapore

HOW TO APPLY

There are two ways to apply:

If you are eligible, you can complete the CRBA application online, upload all required documents, and submit payment prior to the in-person interview. To be eligible to apply for a CRBA online, you MUST be able to answer all the following questions with YES:
- Was the child born in Singapore?
- Is the child under the age of 18?
- Was at least one parent a U.S. citizen or U.S. non-citizen national when the child was born?
- Can you use an internationally accepted credit/debit card or a direct payment method from a U.S. dollar denominated bank account (also known as “ACH”) to pay online for your Consular Report of Birth Abroad application?
- Are you a biological parent of a child born abroad for whom you are applying?
- Can you allow five business days between your payment and the appointment?
If you answered NO to any of the statements above, or if you prefer, complete the paper application, and bring it along with required documentation and payment to your in-person interview appointment.

Apply Online for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

You can now apply for a CRBA electronically at U.S. Embassy Singapore! This new online feature allows U.S. citizen parents to complete a CRBA application online, upload all required documents, and submit payment prior to the in-person interview.

Before you begin the online CRBA application, please read through the CRBA Checklist, below, carefully (and consider printing it out) to help ensure you have all of the required documentation ready to upload and ready to take with you on the day of your interview.

1. Once you have familiarized yourself with the CRBA checklist, create a MyTravelGov account. MyTravelGov is a secured, encrypted portal. Watch this video to learn more about creating your account.

2. Access eCRBA to submit your application and upload your documents.

3. Once you complete the online application and submit payment, you will then be directed to schedule your appointment at U.S. Embassy Singapore.

Please schedule your appointment at least 5 working days after the date of submission to allow payment processing to be completed.

Your child, and generally both parents, must attend the interview.

4. Attend your scheduled in-person interview with your original documents and their photocopies (single-sided). Original documents will be returned to you after reviewing your application. You must provide English translations for all foreign language documents.

Need Help?

For questions or concerns please contact SingaporeACS@state.gov

Other Important Information

Note: If you prefer to submit a paper-based application, please click here.

Passport applications and Social Security Card applications must be completed and submitted separately.
Applications for Social Security Numbers can only be submitted after receiving the original Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Passport. To obtain a Social Security Number for your child, see further details.

By U.S. Embassy Singapore

CRBA Checklist

Please bring the original and either one or two photocopies of the following documents at your in-person appointment:

Child’s Birth Certificate – This document must show the name(s) of the parent or parents. Short-form birth certificates generally are not acceptable for documenting your child as a U.S. citizen. Original and two photocopies.

Evidence of U.S. Citizenship and Identity – The U.S. citizen parent or parents must submit proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. An unexpired, full validity U.S. passport is the preferred form of proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. We also accept as proof of U.S. citizenship a U.S. birth certificate or a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security if you also present a valid U.S. government or U.S. state government-issued photo identification document. Original and two photocopies. (If submitting a U.S. passport, submit two photocopies of the photo/biographical page only instead of copying the entire passport).

Passport/Identification Document for Non-U.S. Citizen Parent – A non-U.S. citizen parent must bring his/her/their unexpired foreign passport or other valid government-issued photo identification document. Original and two photocopies. (If submitting a foreign passport, submit two photocopies of the photo/biographical page only instead of copying the entire passport).

Parents’ Current Marriage Certificate (If Applicable) – If the marriage certificate is in a language other than English or the local language, you must provide a certified translation. Original and one photocopy of the Certificate.

Marriage Dissolution Documentation (If Applicable) – For parents with prior marriages, we require divorce decrees, annulments, or death certificates showing that the marriages have ended, and when they ended. If your document is in a language other than English or the local language, you must provide a certified translation. Original and one photocopy of the divorce decree or death certificate.

Proof of U.S. Citizen Parent’s Physical Presence or Residence in the United States Before the Child’s Birth – Primary evidence of physical presence in the United States or abroad while employed by the U.S. government or other qualifying organization or as the dependent child of a person so employed includes:

Original school transcripts, records of military service (DD-214) showing nature of discharge (if any), Social Security income statements, and employment records. Original and one photocopy
Secondary evidence might include: income tax returns filed in the United States, utility bills, medical records, former/current passports with stamps, airline ticket stubs, credit card bills, or notarized affidavits from former/current employers. Original and one photocopy.

Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage and Support (If Applicable) – A U.S. citizen father of a child born abroad out of wedlock and/or a non-applying U.S. citizen parent may complete and submit the DS-5507 Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage and Support (pdf). The form must be signed and notarized, and should be submitted to the embassy, consulate, or office providing consular services where the CRBA application (DS-2029) is submitted, along with a copy of the same government-issued identity document presented to the person who notarizes the form DS-5507. If the U.S. citizen parent who is transmitting citizenship to the child is not present when applying for a CRBA, that parent should complete Form DS-5507 as supporting evidence, which can be used to list the periods of time they spent in the United States. Original notarized document and one photocopy of photo identification document.

NOTE: Only a U.S. citizen father of a child born abroad out of wedlock must complete the affidavit of paternity and agreement to provide financial support.

By U.S. Embassy Singapore

Electronic CRBA Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is eCRBA?

eCRBA is the Department of State’s new online application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). eCRBA does not require any new information or processes – applicants enter the same information in eCRBA as in the paper application. This new application method, however, will allow you to enter your data, upload required documents, pay the fees, and schedule your appointment all online. Additionally, you will be able to check the status of your application online.

2. How will eCRBA affect me?

Submitting your application electronically is more efficient than paper processing. It saves time by allowing you to upload your documents, pay your fees, and schedule your appointment all in one convenient online location. Further, it is more transparent as you will be able to check the status of your application at any time.

3. Is eCRBA secure?

Yes. Security is an important priority for all services provided by the Department of State. Electronic processing is very secure and has been developed with stringent security considerations built into each design and development step. Only authorized users will be able to access the online CRBA application and supporting documents.

4. Who is eligible to use eCRBA?

To be eligible for a CRBA online, you MUST answer all of the following criteria with YES.

Was the child born in Singapore?
Is the child under the age of 18?
Was at least one parent a U.S. citizen or U.S. non-citizen national when the child was born?
Can you use an internationally accepted credit/debit card or a direct payment method from a U.S. dollar denominated bank account (also known as “ACH”) to pay online for your Consular Report of Birth Abroad application?
Are you a biological parent of a child born abroad who is applying for that child?

5. Can I still apply for CRBA with a paper application if I prefer?

Yes, you will still be able to complete a paper application (DS-2029).

6. How does eCRBA work?

You will start by opening a MyTravelGov account. Once you have an account, you can create an eCRBA application, which will guide you step by step through the process of applying online, including uploading supporting documents to ensure that the application is complete.

Once the application is complete, you need to pay the eCRBA fee online. Once the payment is complete, you will be prompted to schedule an in-person interview at U.S. Embassy Singapore. You must bring the child and the originals of all supporting documents to the in-person interview, where a consular officer will interview you to verify the information provided, review the original documents, and decide whether to approve the application.

7. What is a “MyTravelGov” account?

A “MyTravelGov” is an online account that applicants can use to request consular services. You must register for a MyTravelGov account to use the eCRBA application.

8. What documents do I need to apply for eCRBA?

The eCRBA application will guide you through the process and will help you understand which documents to provide, as well as what type of documents are acceptable. You must provide supporting documents to show:

Record of child’s birth
Evidence of biological relationship between the child and parents
Parents’ citizenship
Parents’ identification
Evidence of parents’ marriages and/or termination of marriages by death or divorce
Evidence of legal relationship and financial support (only in certain cases)
Residence and physical presence in the United States, its outlying territories, or qualifying U.S. government service overseas prior to the child’s birth

You can scan, save, and upload documents in each section of the eCRBA application. You must bring the originals to the in-person interview where a consular officer will verify all original documents.

9. Is there a deadline to report my birth or my child’s birth overseas to obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)?

Yes. Currently, the birth of a U.S. citizen overseas must be reported to a U.S embassy or U.S. consulate before the child turns age 18. Prior to November 1990, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad must have been issued by a U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate before the child turned age 5.

10. How do I complete the Physical Presence section in eCRBA?

The Physical Presence section of the eCRBA form is the most complicated part of the form. You need to list all dates you have been physically present in the United States. The transmitting U.S. Citizens parent will have to write down all the dates that s/he has been physically present inside the United States. This means that if you left the U.S. for even one day, on vacation to Canada, Mexico, or any other place outside the U.S. or any of its outlying possessions, these dates should not be included on this list.

Tips and tricks for completing the Physical Presence Section of the form are below:

U.S. citizen parents should include ALL physical presence in the U.S., even if it occurred before they became a U.S. citizen. This can include physical presence in the U.S. as a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), B1/B2 tourist, F1 student, J1 intern, etc. This also includes time spent in the U.S. without status.
Use previous and current passports with passport stamps, previous airline tickets, itineraries, or reservations to confirm your dates.
It is important to remember you must include only time you were physically present in the United States. If you spent five years abroad, then your timeline will have a 5-year gap between when you left the U.S. and resuming when you returned to the U.S.
- For example, if you were born and raised in your home state, and you only did a study abroad during your 2010 spring semester, then you would list your physical presence as:
  - City, State Birth date – Date you left the U.S.
  - City, State Date you returned to the U.S. – Date you left the U.S. again

Additional tips for American parents born and raised in the U.S.:

Start from your date of birth and list the dates chronologically.
If you moved a lot in your life, then write down when you moved to a different city. Moves within the same city should not be given their own line.
It’s fine if you don’t remember the exact dates of your trips abroad when you were a child. Try to at least include the month/year that you left and returned to the U.S. Look for the entry and exit stamps in your old passports for reference.
While in high school or college did you ever do a study abroad program or vacation abroad during summer/winter break?

Additional tips for American parents who were not born and raised in the U.S.:

Start from the first date that you entered the U.S. and list the dates chronologically.
If you moved a lot while in the U.S., write down when you moved to a different city. Moves within the same city should not be given their own line.
If you spent time in the U.S. as a child and want the time to be counted towards your Physical Presence in the U.S., then you may be asked to provide documented evidence of the time: old passports with entry/exit stamps, plane tickets, school documents, etc.
If you studied in the U.S., did you go abroad during summer or winter breaks? Did you visit relatives who lived abroad?

11. How do I upload photos and attach documents in eCRBA?

Throughout the eCRBA application, there are several places where you can provide required documents by uploading a file from your computer. The maximum allowable file size is 10MB. You can click “attach a file” or “add” to bring up a document upload pop-up and then click the “select a file” button to choose the file you wish to upload. When choosing documents to upload, focus on uploading only required documents.

12. Can I request duplicate copies of the CRBA through the eCRBA system?

No, you will need to request additional copies of your child’s CRBA through the Vital Records section at the State Department by filling out this form.

13. Can I apply for a Social Security number and passport through my eCRBA application?

No. Applicants cannot apply for a passport or a Social Security number through the eCRBA application at this time. However, at the end of the eCRBA application, you will be directed to online resources detailing the process for completing the passport and Social Security number applications separately. Passport application can be submitted in person at the time of the interview. Please note that an application for a Social Security Number can only be submitted after receiving the original Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Passport. To obtain a Social Security Number for your child, see further details.

14. How do I replace or amend a CRBA?

You can request to replace or amend a CRBA from the State Department’s Vital Records section. Only the individuals listed below can request to replace or amend a CRBA:

The individual listed on the birth record (if age 18 or older)
A parent (for minors under age 18)
An authorized government agency, or · A person with written authorization from the individual listed on the birth record You can request to amend or replace a CRBA by filling out this form.

15. What system requirements must my computer meet to use eCRBA?

You will need access to the internet and the ability to scan, save, and upload documents in the eCRBA application. eCRBA also works through a mobile phone or a tablet, using your device’s camera to create images of documents to upload.

16. What if I don’t have a computer or internet connection at home?

If you don’t have a computer or internet connection at home, a local library, university, or internet café may provide computers and internet for a small fee. You can also use the computers provided in any American Center. Local charities or religious organizations may also have computers to use for the application process.

17. What are my payment options?

eCRBA requires payment using the U.S. government’s official payment site, pay.gov, which accepts payments in U.S. dollars from a credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover) or U.S. bank account.

18. How secure is the payment option?

The payment system is secure. The payment occurs through pay.gov an online payment system used by many U.S. government agencies.

19. What if I do not have a U.S. bank account or credit card?

If you are not able to pay online, then you must complete a paper CRBA application and pay the fees at the U.S. Embassy Singapore during your interview.

20. What if I have a problem making my online payment?

If you cannot complete the online payment, then you must complete a paper application and submit it along with your payment in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

21. How do I know if my eCRBA has been received?

After successfully submitting an eCRBA application and payment, you will see a confirmation screen. You will also receive a follow-up email, confirming receipt of your application.

22. How do I make changes to my eCRBA information once it has been submitted?

You won’t be able to access your application online after it is submitted. If you need to make subsequent changes, you must contact the U.S. Embassy Singapore for help. You can also let consular staff know of changes during your interview.

23. How do I schedule an appointment online?

After completing the online application and making a payment online, you will be directed to the U.S. Embassy Singapore website to schedule an appointment. Please allow 5 business days between payment submission and CRBA interview appointment time. This provides time for your payment to be processed.

24. Can I make one appointment for my child’s passport and CRBA?

Yes, you can schedule one appointment for a passport and CRBA. Other services may require separate appointments.

25. How can I cancel or reschedule my appointment?

If you schedule your appointment online, you will receive a confirmation that includes instructions on how to cancel or reschedule your appointment online. You may also contact the U.S. Embassy Singapore to cancel or reschedule.

26. Whom do I contact if I have additional questions?

Contact U.S. Embassy Singapore for additional questions at SingaporeACS@state.gov

U.S. Embassy in Singapore