Reporting a U.S. Citizen Birth Abroad

Reporting of Birth Abroad

Children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may have a claim to U.S. citizenship.  If the parent(s) meets the transmission requirement, the birth should be reported at the Embassy, and a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and a U.S. passport will be issued. 
We strongly recommend that the birth be reported to the Embassy as soon as possible.  Even if your child holds nationality of a country other than the U.S., he or she must be in possession of a valid U.S. passport to enter and exit the United States.

Applying For a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Passport for Your Child

In all cases, both parents must appear in person with the child upon the submission of the application.  If one parent is outside of Chad and unable to appear, a signed written consent (Form DS-3053) notarized by a U.S. Notary Public or U.S. Consular officer must be provided by that parent in addition to a copy of his/her passport.  All documents must be submitted in the original.  Where originals cannot be submitted, notarized copies are acceptable.

What You Need to Bring

If Both Parents Are American Citizens

1. The child's official birth certificate issued by the Chadian authorities.
2. Parents' official marriage certificate.
3. Official divorce decree if either parent was previously married. If one parent is deceased, please provide an official death certificate.
4. Naturalization certificate for a naturalized parent(s) and U.S. passport(s).
5. Parents who have previously documented children born abroad should bring the other Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.
6. One photograph 2” x 2”, showing a full front view of the child's face with a white background.
7. Passport application Form DS-11; Consular Report of Birth Abroad application (Form DS-2029); and Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence(filled out by the American citizen parent, if the parents are unmarried)

If Only One Parent is an American Citizen

In addition to the documents listed above, the American citizen parent must provide documentation of evidence of at least five (or ten) years physical presence in the U.S. before the child's birth (10 years if the child was born before 1986). U.S. citizens may count any time they have been physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions. Naturalized U.S. Citizens may count time spent in the U.S. prior to their naturalization, regardless of their status. Documents such as official school transcripts, tax returns with attached W-2 forms, and medical records are examples of physical presence documents.

Fees

Fees are paid in cash upon submission of the application in either USD or CFA. 

• Registration of birth of American citizen abroad: USD 65.00
• U.S. passport fee: USD 85.00