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 done before the child’s 18th birthday. A U.S. official can only determine citizenship as part of a formal application. We recommend that the parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth.
If you or your child is 18 or older and has not been documented as a U.S. Citizen, please apply for the first U.S. passport.
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.
To apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for your child, you need:
Step 1. Schedule your Online Appointment now (a separate appointment per applicant and per service is required). Applicants should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment.
Step 2. Prepare for the interview.
Please remember to bring all required documentation and completely filled-out forms. Missing documentation may result in delays in processing your case.
| Completed printed Form DS-2029 (PDF 64 KB) | Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad |
| The Child’s Birth Certificate | This is the Belgian Birth Certificate, issued by local authorities. This document must show the biological parents’ names. Short form birth certificates, which do not indicate parentage, are not acceptable. If the Birth Certificate is not in English, an informal translation by parent on a separate sheet of paper must be included. |
| Photo ID of the child, if applicable | This is not necessary for newborns |
| Evidence of Parents’ Citizenship and Identity | Acceptable documents include:
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| If both parents are U.S. citizens: evidence of one Parent’s residence in the U.S. | Examples of documents that can help demonstrate a residence include, but are not limited to, a combination of some of the following: US driving license, property rental leases and payment receipts, deeds, utility bills, property tax records, automobile registrations, professional licenses, employment records or information, income tax records, stamped school transcripts, military records, income records, including W-2 salary forms, and vaccination and medical records. |
| Marriage Certificate, if applicable | Original certificate issued by local, state, or national government authorities. If your marriage certificate is in a language other than English, an informal translation must be provided. |
| Divorce Decrees/ Death Certificates, if applicable | It will be necessary to show termination of all prior marriages for both parents. Please bring original certificates with informal translations, if appropriate. |
| If the child is born out of wedlock and the father is a U.S. citizen and is listed on the birth certificate, evidence of acknowledgement of paternity by the U.S. citizen father and agreement to pay child support. | As evidence, bring a notarized Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence or a U.S. court order regarding child support payment. |
| If only one parent is a U.S. citizen bring primary evidence documents that may establish your physical presence in the U.S. before the child’s birth (for a total of 5 years; 2 of which after the age of 14) | Acceptable documents include:
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| Secondary evidence documents that may establish your physical presence in the U.S. before the child’s birth. This evidence is necessary if only one parent is a U.S. citizen and insufficient primary evidence is submitted. | Acceptable documents include: Former/Current Passport with stamps Airline ticket stubs Credit Card Bills Utility bills Tax forms Notarized Affidavits from former/current employers |
| $100.00 U.S. Application Fee | Accepted Payment Methods are: Cash: either dollars or euros Credit card- Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Bancontact is not available. |
Step 3. You may also apply for your child’s first passport. Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child’s passport. If one parent/guardian cannot go with the child to apply for the passport, they can give permission by completing Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent.” You must submit the completed original form with the child’s passport application. The parent that cannot go with the child must:
- Sign and date Form DS-3053 in the presence of a certified notary public, and
- Submit a photocopy of the front and back side of the ID that they present to the notary public with Form DS-3053.
Step 4. If you prefer to have your child’s CRBA and new passport returned to you via registered mail, you must include a self-addressed envelope with one (1) registered (recommandé/aangetekend) stamp and three (3) “Prior” stamps for each application during the interview. Important: The Embassy declines any responsibility for the delivery of passports by registered mail. If you do not provide an envelope with the proper stamps, you will need to pick up your documents at the Embassy once they have arrived.
Step 5. You will receive an e-mail confirmation once your documents have arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels. If you provided a self-addressed envelope with stamps during the interview, they will be delivered to you via registered mail. If not, you can collect your passport at the Embassy.
Step 6. If you wish to apply for your’ child SSN outside of the U.S.A, we will prepare a SSN package together with your child’s CRBA and new passport which you need to send to the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Dublin, Ireland directly.
NOTICE REGARDING SOCIAL SECURITY
Individuals residing in Belgium who require social security services or have questions about SSA benefits must contact the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Dublin, Ireland directly.
How do I contact the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit?
The best way to contact the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit is by using online form.
PLEASE ensure your contact information is filled out.
Address: Federal Benefits Unit
U.S. Embassy
42 Elgin Road
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
Phone: +353 1 668-8777 ext. 2112
E-mail: FBU.DUBLIN@SSA.GOV
DNA
In order to transmit U.S. citizenship to a child born abroad, among other requirements, there must be a biological relationship between the child and a U.S. citizen parent or parents. Genetic testing is a useful tool for verifying a stated biological relationship in the absence of sufficient other evidence to establish such relationship. Commonly tested relationships that may be used to establish paternity and/or maternity in citizenship claims arising from birth abroad to a U.S. citizen father or mother include father-child, mother-child, child and full brother or sister, child and half brother or sister, and avuncular relationships (child and paternal aunt/uncle/grandparent)., full. DNA testing is the only biological testing method currently accepted by the Department to establish a biological relationship. However, due to the expense, complexity, and logistical delays inherent in parentage testing, genetic testing generally should be used only in the absence of sufficient other evidence (documentation, photos, etc.) establishing the relationship.
For more information, please consult Travel.state.gov at: Policy on DNA testing