What is a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)?
A CRBA is a document issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate that serves as proof of a child’s U.S. citizenship. It is required when a child is born outside the United States to at least one U.S. citizen parent who meets the eligibility requirements to transmit U.S. citizenship. The CRBA is typically issued to children under the age of 18 and is an essential step for U.S. citizen parents to secure their child’s citizenship and other U.S. benefits.
Eligibility for a CRBA
To be eligible for a CRBA, the U.S. citizen parent must meet the following criteria:
- At least one parent must be a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
- The U.S. citizen parent must meet the physical presence requirements in the United States before the child’s birth.
- The child must be under the age of 18 and born outside the United States.
If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria, our team can help evaluate your specific situation and advise you on the necessary steps.
Check out the following video to learn more about this process.
Certificate of Citizenship vs. Consular Report of Birth Abroad
If you are confused about the difference between a Certificate of Citizenship and a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), you are not alone! These two documents are both used as proof that a person derived U.S. citizenship from a parent. Which document you’ll receive depends on the application process you use.
CBRAs are issued by the U.S. State Department when a child is born abroad to a parent that is a U.S. Citizen.
Certificates of Citizenship are issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to anyone who has gone through the N600 Application process to have their derived citizenship recognized.
Be aware that a U.S. Passport is also proof of citizenship and is also issued by the U.S. Department of State (but unlike the other documents, passports expire!)
Watch: What You Need to Know About CRBA’s
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