Documentation of U.S. Citizens Born Abroad Who Acquire Citizenship at Birth
If a child is born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s), the birth should be reported to the nearest U.S. consular office as soon as possible. This is to establish an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship. The official document issued is called a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), also known as Form FS-240, and it serves as proof of U.S. citizenship.
Reporting the Birth
A CRBA can only be issued by a U.S. consular office while the child is under 18. To complete the registration, the following documents are generally required:
- The child’s local birth certificate
- Proof of the parent(s)’ U.S. citizenship (such as a U.S. passport or naturalization certificate)
- Parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of residence and physical presence in the U.S.
- Documents showing termination of any previous marriages
The CRBA fee is payable in U.S. dollars or the local currency and must be paid by cash or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged CRBA
If the original FS-240 is lost or damaged, you may request a replacement by submitting:
- A notarized written request
- Either the original FS-240 or a notarized affidavit describing the loss
- Required identification and fee payment
The request must include the full name, date and place of birth of the child, details about the lost document, and the requester’s signature.
Correcting or Amending a CRBA
To amend or correct a CRBA, you must provide a written request along with:
- Certified documents supporting the change (e.g., updated birth certificate, marriage certificate, court documents)
- The original or replacement FS-240, or a notarized affidavit if it is unavailable
- Valid identification of the requester
A replacement FS-240 can be issued once the correction is processed.