U.S. Embassy in Rwanda

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 (CRBA), Form FS-240 which is a basic United States citizenship document.

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (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 possession of a valid U.S passport to enter and exit the United States, even if they have citizenship of another country, as well.

Transmitting Citizenship

Transmission of U.S. citizenship depends on:

1. At least one parent having the nationality of the United States at the time of the child’s birth;
2. The existence of a blood relationship between the child and U.S. citizen parent(s);
3. Documentary evidence demonstrating the U.S. citizen parent(s)’ presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth, as specified on Travel.State.Gov.

Some examples of documentary evidence which may be considered to demonstrate that physical presence requirements have been met may include (but are not limited to):

• Wage and tax statements (W-2)
• Academic transcripts
• Employment records
• Rental receipts
• Records of honorable U.S. military service, employment with U.S. Government or certain intergovernmental international organizations; or as a dependent, unmarried child and member of the household of a parent in such service or employment (except where indicated).
• U.S. passport stamps may be considered a part of the evidence submitted, but should not be the sole documentary evidence. Drivers’ licenses do not constitute evidence of physical presence.
• If you have other children who have been issued with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, this may be considered as supplemental evidence. Please also read important information regarding Supporting Documents.

Visit Travel.State.Gov to learn more about Obtaining U.S. Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad.

Apply for a CRBA

If you are the U.S. citizen parent of a child born outside of the United States and would like to document your child’s U.S. citizenship, please complete applications online via our e-CRBA application system.  Please be sure to attach the following documents to the application:

1. Childs English Irembo birth certificate
2. Parent’s marriage certificate (if applicable)
3. Evidence of U.S. Citizen parent’s citizenship
4. Father’s passport or government issued ID
5. Mother’s passport or government issued ID
6. Evidence of the U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence in the United States (e.g., passports with stamps, school records, tax documents);

The fee for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad is $100 USD, application fee must be paid online via MyTravelGov using a credit or debit card. Keep a copy of your payment confirmation for the interview.

After submitting the online application and paying the fee, you must schedule an in‑person appointment at the designated U.S. embassy or consulate. Please send an email to ACSkigali@state.gov with the confirmation notification you will receive after completing the application. We will then review the application and provide you with an appointment date for your child’s CRBA.

Please note the child must be present at the time of application in the Consular Section.

Prepare for the Interview

Before the appointment:

1. Print the application confirmation page from MyTravelGov (if available).
2. Print your payment receipt.
3. Gather and bring to the interview:
   1. All original documents you uploaded (birth certificate, passports, marriage certificates, etc.).
   2. Paper photocopies of each original, if requested on the post’s website.
   3. Any translations and supporting evidence of the U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence.
4. If you intend to apply for a U.S. passport for the child at the same time, bring:
   1. Completed passport application form (DS‑11), not signed until instructed at the interview.
   2. Passport photos that meet Department of State requirements.
   3. Any additional fees needed for the passport.

A consular officer determines the eligibility of U.S. citizen parents to “transmit” citizenship to the child in accordance with the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Once the CRBA is approved, it should arrive at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali within two to four weeks. You can apply for a passport at the same time as the CRBA.  Please take this into consideration when planning for travel.