Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)!
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 for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). United States non-citizen nationals are also eligible for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, using the non-citizen option.
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. The child must be present at the time of application. Generally, both parents also attend the interview.
You can now apply for a CRBA electronically at U.S. Embassy Prague! 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.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, your child must have been born in the Czech Republic and you must travel to U.S. Embassy Prague for the in-person interview.
To be eligible to apply for a CRBA online, you MUST answer all the following criteria with YES.
- Was the child born in the Czech Republic?
- 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?
- Are you a biological parent of a child born abroad who is applying for that child?
How to Apply
- To apply for a CRBA online, you need to create a MyTravelGov. MyTravelGov is a secured, encrypted portal.
- Once you have created a MyTravelGov account you can access eCRBA and submit your application online. The easy-to-use online process provides applicants with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application. You may review the necessary documents for the CRBA application in advance by reviewing this checklist (download file).
- Once you complete the online application, upload required documents and submit payment, you need to schedule your appointment by email at ACSPRG@STATE.GOV.
- 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. Original documents in Czech language are accepted without translation. The child must be present at the time of application. Generally, both parents also attend the interview. When a passport application will be submitted for the child at the CRBA appointment, both parents are to accompany the child to the appointment to present themselves before the officer.
Need Help?
We are here to help!
- You can access eCRBA 2.0 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Here Customer Outreach eCRBA FAQs
- You can view an application how-to-guide eCRBA Customer SOP
- For questions or concerns please contact ACSPRG@state.gov
Processing Times
Once approved by the Department of State your CRBA will be printed and returned from the U.S., usually within ten business days.
Passports are printed in the U.S. and returned to the Embassy in approximately eight to twelve business days. Parents should return to the Embassy at that time to collect both their child’s CRBA and passport. It is not necessary to schedule an appointment to collect these documents and only one parent is required to return to the Embassy.
Other Important Information
Passport applications and Social Security Card applications must be completed and submitted separately.
Please note that an application for a Social Security Number (SS-5 form) can only be submitted after receiving the original Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Passport.
CRBA Checklist
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) Appointment Checklist
Arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. Applicants are subject to screening and may not bring in electronics – review our guidelines for visiting the Embassy or Consulate.
You must bring the original and one photocopy of all documents below or you may have to reschedule your appointment:
- Submit application online via MyTravelGov account
- Submit payment online via Pay.gov
- After you submit your application and upload required documents, you can schedule your in-person appointment with us at ACSPRG@STATE.GOV.
- Czech Birth Certificate: The original
- Proof of Parent’s Citizenship: At least one of the following documents for the U.S. citizen parent(s): U.S. passport (valid or recently expired), original U.S. birth certificate, or original Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship (if not born in the USA). Click here for examples of citizenship evidence. To qualify for a CRBA, the U.S. citizen parent must have been a U.S. citizen prior to the child’s birth.
- Proof of Parents’ Identity: Passport, driver’s license, etc.
- Marriage/Divorce Certificate(s): If the parents are married, provide the original of the marriage certificate and divorce certificates or death decrees that terminated any prior marriages, if applicable.
- Physical Presence: Proof of U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence in the United States:
- The period of physical presence in the United States required to transmit citizenship depends on the child’s date of birth and the marital status of the parents. Review the requirements here.
- You must provide documentary evidence of physical presence, such as
- Official education transcripts (school or college/university) if the applicant attended classes in person,
- Income records (including W-2 salary forms); showing a U.S. based employer
- Military records (to document physical presence while serving in the military)
- Employment records; such as work contracts showing U.S. based employer and time of employment
- Passport stamps or immigration entry and exit records
- Rental leases; Property deeds
- U.S. Passport Application: If you will apply for the child’s U.S. passport at this appointment, you must provide the following:
- Application form DS-11 completed and not signed. Print the completed form single-sided; we cannot accept double-sided forms. The DS-11 form must be completed using the link above; other versions of the form are not accepted.
- U.S. passport-style photo of the child. One new 5×5 cm photo that meets all photo requirements.
- Application Fee: The $135 U.S. dollar passport application fee must be paid at the appointment in cash CZK or USD, by credit card, or U.S. debit card. All application fees are nonrefundable.
- To submit a passport application for the child, both parents are to accompany the child to the appointment.