Overview
As U.S. citizen parent(s), you should report your child’s birth abroad as soon as possible to the U.S. Consulate to establish an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record will be the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Form FS-240 which is a basic United States citizenship document.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
A Consular Report of Birth (CRBA) is evidence of United States citizenship, issued to a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday, and we recommend that the parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth. For applicants older than age 18 who have never been issued a CRBA, please refer to Possible Derivative Claim to U.S. Citizenship. Anyone who has a claim to U.S. citizenship must be in posession of a valid U.S passport to enter and exit the United States, even if they have citizenship of another country, as well.
Online CRBA
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)!
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 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.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, your child must have been born in Djibouti, Yemen and Northern Somalia and you must travel to Djibouti for the in-person interview. If you are residing in Djibouti but your children were not born in Djibouti, Yemen, or Northern Somalia, we can only collect the application and supporting documents and forward them to the U.S. Embassy in the country where your children were born. We cannot issue CRBAs for children born in other countries.
To be eligible to apply for a CRBA online, you MUST answer all the following criteria with YES.
- Was the child born in Djibouti, Northern Somalia, or Yemen?
- 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?
How to Apply
You can now apply for a CRBA electronically at the US Embassy in Djibouti! 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.
- To apply for a CRBA online, you need to create a MyTravelGov MyTravelGov is a secured, encrypted portal. Watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVgRyLQd3jA&t=4s) to learn more about creating your account.
- 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: Checklist –
- Once you complete the online application and submit payment, you will then be directed to schedule your appointment at the US Embassy in Djibouti. Please schedule your appointment at least 72 hours after payment submission. This provides time for your payment to be processed prior to your CRBA interview. Please Note: Do NOT make another (or duplicate) payment for a CRBA ($100) at the Embassy.
- 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. The child must be present at the time of application. Generally, both parents also attend the interview.
Need Help?
We are here to help!
- You can view an application how-to-guide eCRBA Customer SOP
- For questions or concerns please contact DjiboutiACS@state.gov
Other Important Information
Note: If you prefer to submit a paper-based application, please send an email to Djibouticrba@state.gov and follow the instructions.
Passport applications and Social Security Card applications must be completed and submitted separately.
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 Social Security Office of Earnings & International Operations (ssa.gov). Please search for your country in that list and contact the provided email address.
eCRBA Checklist
Note:
A child born outside the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if the child’s parent(s) meet the applicable requirements for transmission of citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act Sections 301 or 309 prior to the child’s birth. One such requirement is that at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen as of the date and time of birth. Either parent may apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA), on behalf of their minor child, to document the child’s U.S. citizenship.
If you are using online CRBA, please closely follow the below instructions:
- Upload all your documents and bring the Originals with you to the Interview. Original documents will be returned to you after your interview.
- You must provide English translations for all foreign language documents.
- The child must attend the interview. Both parents must also attend the interview. However, if one of the parents cannot appear in person, please explore the different options under Show parental consent Here.
Required Documents for both applicants applying online and paper DS-2029:
- Completed DS – 2029: Not required if applying online via eCRBA. · Completed DS- 11 (fill out the online form at https://pptform.state.gov/ for faster processing time at your appointment. You will still need to bring a printed application.)
- One passport photos (for each applicant) Guidelines for passport photos can be found at: US. Passport Photos (state.gov)
- Child’s Birth Certificate (Hospital birth certificates are not acceptable)
- Parents’ identification
- Proof of Transmitting Parents’ Citizenship
- Original U.S. Passport (a full validity US passport-Current or Expired)
- Original U.S. Birth Certificate (should have parents’ names, a seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office – hospital birth certificates are not acceptable)
- Original CRBA (Form FS-240/FS-1350)
- Original Naturalization Certificate
- Original Citizenship Certificate
- Proof of Transmitting Parents Physical Presence
- School Transcripts
- Old Passports
- Military Service / DD-214 Separation from Military
- Old Passports with US entry/exit stamps
- CBP records
- Social security earning statements
- Legitimation/Legal Relationship
- Parents’ Marriage Certificate
- Divorce and Annulment Decrees / Death Certificate