WHAT IS A CONSULAR REPORT OF BIRTH ABROAD?
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (or “CRBA”) is an official document issued to children who are born outside of the United States but are determined to be U.S. citizens through transmission from their parents, as detailed in the Immigration and Nationality Act.
While the CRBA does prove U.S. citizenship, it is not a birth certificate, which must instead be obtained from the appropriate government authority in the place of birth (in Chile, this is the Registro Civil), and the document does not confer or verify legal guardianship or custody. It also is not a travel document, but it can be used to demonstrate citizenship in an application for the child’s U.S. passport.
Either parent may apply for a CRBA on behalf of their minor child. We recommend a parent apply for a CRBA as soon as practical after the birth of the child, but it must be applied for prior to the child’s 18th birthday.
Application Instructions
To apply for a CRBA at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, you MUST meet all the following criteria:
- The child was born in Chile
- The child is under the age of 18
- At least one parent was a U.S. citizen or U.S. non-citizen national when the child was born
- You are a biological parent of the child
If you meet the above criteria, proceed through the instructions below.
Step 1: Complete the Application
To begin your application, create a MyTravelGov account. Once you are logged into your account, the system will guide you through the application process, including instructions for uploading all necessary support documents. As you scan and upload documents, be sure to keep the original documents collected as well, as they will be needed when you come in person to the CRBA interview.
Documents that will be requested during the application process include:
Child’s Chilean Birth Certificate: known as the Certificado de nacimiento para todo trámite can be issued online and free of charge by Registro Civil. Upload a scanned copy to the CRBA system but be sure to also bring the original to your interview.
Child’s Valid ID: if available, upload a scan and bring your child’s valid official I.D. that contains a photo.
Evidence of Parent’s U.S. Citizenship: upload a scanned copy and bring the original to your interview. The most common evidence of U.S. citizenship is a valid U.S. passport, but other types of evidence can be used as well, as outlined here.
Parents’ Valid IDs: for both parents, upload a scanned copy (front and back) and bring the originals to the interview.
Parents’ Marriage Certificate: upload a scanned copy and bring your original marriage certificate, if you were married at the time the child was born.
Parents’ Prior Marriage Termination Document(s): if either parent was previously married, upload a scanned copy and bring the original divorce decree, annulment, death certificate, or other documentation demonstrating that each prior marriage was terminated.
Evidence of Physical Presence in the United States: upload scanned copies and bring the original evidence of the U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence in the United States. This may include school transcripts, employment records, social security statements, dental or medical records, or U.S. entry/exit records. Please note that legal residence is not the same as physical presence: your evidence must demonstrate that you were physically present in the United States. Only submit evidence covering time periods prior to the birth of your child.
If you are also applying for your child’s first passport: you must also prepare documents for your child’s passport application. Follow the instructions found on our website to Apply for Your Minor Child’s Passport (under the age of 16). If your CRBA is approved, it will become the “Evidence of U.S. Citizenship” required for the passport application.
Step 2: Pay the CRBA Fee
You can pay online through the U.S. government’s secure payment site. Full instructions for completing this step will be provided while completing your application in the application system. Be sure to print the payment receipt.
If you are also applying for your child’s first passport, you must also pay for the passport application by following the passport application instructions on our website.
Step 3: Schedule Your Appointment
After you have completed and submitted your application and paid the CRBA fee, send an e-mail to santiagousa@state.gov Include in your email the full name of your child and your application number.
The Embassy will respond to your email with further instructions. In many cases, we may require revisions to your application, or request that you upload additional documentation. Once the application is ready, we will schedule your in-person appointment. Print the appointment confirmation e-mail and bring to your appointment.
Step 4: Attend Your Appointment
Your child must attend the appointment with you. Please arrive on time and be sure to bring all the original documents as well as a printout of your appointment confirmation email. Most appointments take 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete.
Please note that personal electronic devices, as well as bags, large purses, backpacks, and suitcases, are NOT allowed in the Embassy. Basic strollers and small diaper bags with necessary baby-care items are permitted.
Step 5: Retrieve Your CRBA
It takes approximately six weeks to process your child’s CRBA. The Embassy will send you an e-mail when the CRBA is ready.
You have three options for retrieval of your CRBA:
In person pick-up: No appointment is needed, just bring your payment receipt. Only one parent needs to come to retrieve the CRBA.
Representative pick-up: Your representative must bring your payment receipt and a signed letter from you (the applicant) giving them authority to pick up your CRBA.
DHL Home Delivery Service: For home delivery, at the time of application you must provide the Embassy with a pre-Paid DHL Airbill (AWB). Visit the DHL Delivery Service webpage for more information.
Additional Information
CRBA FEE INFORMATION
- CRBA Fee: $100
- If you apply for your child’s passport as well, please note the additional passport fees found on the instructions for your child’s passport application.
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