- Adoption
- Why Adopt?
- Who Can Adopt?
- Report of Birth Abroad
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.
Transmission Requirements
Transmission of U.S. citizenship depends on: At least one parent having the nationality of the United States at the time of the child’s birth; The existence of a blood relationship between the child and U.S. citizen parent(s); Documentary evidence demonstrating the U.S. citizen parent(s)’ presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth (generally at least 5 years physical presence in the U.S. two of which were over the age of 14). This is a general guideline only. Transmission requirements vary by child’s date of birth and civil status of parents. The U.S. citizen parent may use school records, income taxes, or other documentation as proof of residency in the USA.
Third Party Attendance At Passport And CRBA Appointment Interviews
Generally, immediate family members may accompany passport or CRBA applicants to their appointment interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and all minor children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Passport or CRBA applicants also have the option of being accompanied by an attorney at their appointment interview. Attendance by any third party, including an attorney, accompanying an applicant is subject to the following parameters designed to ensure an orderly appointment interview process and to maintain the integrity of the adjudication of the application(s):
- Given space limitations in the consular section, not more than one attendee at a time will be allowed to accompany an applicant (or the applicant’s parent or guardian if the applicant is a minor).
- Attendance by an attorney does not excuse the applicant and/or the minor applicant’s parent or guardian from attending the appointment interview in person.
- The manner in which a passport or CRBA appointment interview is conducted, and the scope and nature of the inquiry, shall at all times be at the discretion of the consular officer, following applicable Departmental guidance.
- It is expected that attorneys will provide their clients with relevant legal advice prior to, rather than at, the appointment interview, and will advise their clients prior to the appointment interview that the client will participate in the appointment interview with minimal assistance.
- Attorneys may not engage in any form of legal argumentation during the appointment interview and before the consular officer.
- Attendees other than a parent or guardian accompanying a minor child may not answer a consular officer’s question on behalf or in lieu of an applicant, nor may they summarize, correct, or attempt to clarify an applicant’s response, or interrupt or interfere with an applicant’s responses to a consular officer’s questions.
- To the extent that an applicant does not understand a question, s/he should seek clarification from the consular officer directly.
- The consular officer has sole discretion to determine the appropriate language(s) for communication with the applicant, based on the facility of both officer and applicant and the manner and form that best facilitate communication between the consular officer and the applicant. Attendees may not demand that communications take place in a particular language solely for the benefit of the attendee. Nor may attendees object to or insist on the participation of an interpreter in the appointment interview, to the qualifications of any interpreter, or to the manner or substance of any translation.
- No attendee may coach or instruct applicants as to how to answer a consular officer’s question.
- Attendees may not object to a consular officer’s question on any ground (including that the attendee regards the question to be inappropriate, irrelevant, or adversarial), or instruct the applicant not to answer a consular officer’s question. Attendees may not interfere in any manner with the consular officer’s ability to conduct all inquiries and fact-finding necessary to exercise his or her responsibilities to adjudicate the application.
- During a passport or CRBA appointment interview, attendees may not discuss or inquire about other applications.
- Attendees may take written notes, but may not otherwise record the appointment interviews.
- Attendees may not engage in any other conduct that materially disrupts the appointment interview. For example, they may not yell at or otherwise attempt to intimidate or abuse a consular officer or staff, and they may not engage in any conduct that threatens U.S. national security or the security of the embassy or its personnel. Attendees must follow all security policies of the Department of State and the U.S. embassy or consulate where the appointment interview takes place.
Attendees may not engage in any conduct that violates this policy and/or otherwise materially disrupts the appointment interview. Failure to observe these parameters will result in a warning to the attendee and, if ignored, the attendee may be asked to leave the appointment interview and/or the premises, as appropriate. It would then be the applicant’s choice whether to continue the appointment interview without the attendee present, subject to the consular officer’s discretion to terminate the appointment interview. The safety and privacy of all applicants awaiting consular services, as well as of consular and embassy personnel, is of paramount consideration.
If you are a U.S. citizen and the parent of a child born outside of the United States, you will need to document your child’s U.S. citizenship with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
Step 1: Complete CRBA application form DS-2029.
Step 1: Complete CRBA application form DS-2029. Do not leave any items blank. For any question that does not apply, mark “N/A” (not applicable). Click here to view a sample completed DS-2029. (PDF 1251KB)
Step 2: Complete passport application form DS-11
Step 2: Complete passport application form DS-11. Do not leave any items blank. For any question that does not apply, mark “N/A” (not applicable). We encourage you to apply for a CRBA and passport at the same time. Because all fees are non-refundable, we recommend that you initially pay only for the CRBA application at our cashier. Once your CRBA is approved, you will have the option of returning to the cashier to pay for the passport application. Click here for minor passport application information.
Step 3: Gather documents and make photocopies.
Step 3: Gather documents and make photocopies. See bottom of page. On the day of your appointment, you must present an original and one photocopy of each of the required documents listed below.
Step 4: Send an email
Step 4: Click here to send an email to ACSBelize@state.gov, and attach your completed DS-2029, your child’s birth certificate, proof of citizenship of the U.S. citizen parent(s), and proof of identity of each parent. We will review your application and work with you to schedule an appointment at your convenience via email.
Step 5: Appear at the Embassy for your appointment.
Step 5: Appear at the Embassy for your appointment. Both parents and the child must personally appear. Ensure to bring all documentation from the previous steps.
Tips for your appointment
Tips for your appointment:
- Proving maternity/paternity and physical presence to transmit citizenship to a child is the responsibility of the parent(s), not the Embassy.
- Never assume that, because you successfully applied for another child’s U.S. citizenship, you do not need to bring any evidence to interviews for subsequent children. You must bring all supporting documents with you for each application.
- In some cases, consular officers may request DNA evidence to prove the biological relationship. If DNA evidence is requested, you will be given written instructions. You must follow Embassy procedures. Additional information on DNA testing can be found here.
- You must bring hard-copy printouts of all documents, photos, ultrasounds, etc. No digital media will be accepted. We are not able to access the internet on your behalf to view evidence and documents associated with your application, and are prohibited from inserting USBs, DVDs, etc. into our computer terminals.
Required Documents
Required Documents (See step 3)
Click here for a printable CRBA checklist.
- Child’s original Belizean birth certificate
- Proof of citizenship for the U.S. citizen parent(s), such as:
- Original U.S. birth certificate
- U.S. passport
- CRBA
- Naturalization certificate
- Certificate of citizenship
- Proof of identity of each parent, such as a valid:
- Passport
- Government-issued driver license
- State ID
- Belizean social security card
- Marriage and/or divorce certificates – original or certified copy
- Proof of physical presence in the United States, such as:
- University/College Transcripts
- Primary/Secondary (Elementary/High School) Transcripts
- DD-214 Military Discharge Documents
- Dated Evidence of Long-Term Incarceration
- Military Enlistment Contract
- Dated Evidence of Long-Term Hospitalization
- Military Assignment Orders
- Military ID
- Official Leave and Earnings Statements from Employment in the U.S. (weekly pay stubs)
- Official Letters of Employment from the U.S.
- W-2 Statements from the IRS (We do not accept tax returns)
- CRBA application fee of $100 USD. If you also wish to apply for a passport, fee is $115 USD ($215 USD total). We accept U.S. dollars, Belize dollars, and major credit cards.
- Documents in addition to those listed herein may be requested following interview with a consular officer.