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How to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad

(CRBA) and US passport at the US Embassy in the
Philippines
10 May 2018 28 comments

Update July 2018: With CRBA and US passport in hand, my husband and I then applied
for our child’s Social Security number (SSN). Click here to read about our experience at
the US Embassy in Manila.
Under US law, a person born outside the United States to an American parent and a
foreign parent in wedlock acquires US citizenship at birth if, prior to birth, the American
parent was physically present in the US or its outlying possessions for at least five years,
two of which are after the age of 14.

My husband meets this physical presence requirement, and so thanks to him, our child is
also a US citizen. To make it official, we applied for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a
Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA) and US passport for our child at the US
Embassy in Manila.

The process was surprisingly quick; we received our child’s CRBA and passport less than
a month after mailing in our application. My tips for a smooth process:

 Fill up all forms correctly

 Ensure all documents are complete
 Present a lot of evidence
 Both parents are present during the interview

We did all of the above and were approved immediately. On the other hand, we saw
several families who were sent home during pre-screening because of incomplete
requirements or insufficient evidence. One family, who came without the US citizen
parent, was even told to undergo DNA testing.

This guide is based on our infant child’s application; additional documents are required for
school-age children and children born out of wedlock, or if one parent or both cannot
attend the interview.
1. Prepare the requirements
 Click here to download the latest checklist (updated April 2018). Prepare one (1)
photocopy each of all documents and completed forms. Do not mail the original
documents.

 Passport photos. Submit three (3) identical pictures of the child and two (2) of each
parent. Click here for photo guidelines and samples.
 Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of
America (Form DS-2029). Click here to download. It is a fillable PDF file, so type in your
answers before printing it on US Letter (8.5″ x 11″) paper. Do not sign. Ensure that you
provide a working email address, as the appointment letter will be sent there. Also include
a local Philippine telephone number.
 Certificate of Live Birth of applicant issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA). You can easily get a copy online from e-Census (soon to be known as
PSASerbilis). Don’t bother to apply if the PSA copy is not yet available; the copy from the
Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) will not suffice.
 Growing-up photos of applicant. The more pictures, the better. It is best to submit photos
of the child together with both parents, spanning from birth to the present. Personally we
printed 20 pictures, each labeled with the date and our child’s age on that date.
 Evidence of American parent’s citizenship. The US citizen parent may present any one (1)
of the following:
o US passport
o US birth certificate
o CRBA (Form FS-240)
o Certificate of Citizenship
o Certificate of Naturalization
 Identification document of Filipino parent. The Filipino parent may present his/her
passport. If s/he has no passport, s/he must present two (2) other digitized government-
issued IDs.
 Evidence of American parent’s physical presence in the US. This is important; the
application will be denied if the US citizen parent cannot conclusively demonstrate that
s/he fulfills the residence requirement. Present as much hard evidence as possible,
including old passports, school transcripts, Form W-2s, and medical treatment records.
Military members or veterans can also submit a Statement of Service or Report of
Separation (DD Form 214). Time abroad counts towards residency only if it was:
o as a member of the US armed forces in honorable status
o as an employee of the US government or other qualifying organizations
o as a dependent unmarried child of any of the above
 Certificate of Marriage of parents issued by the PSA. You can easily get a copy online
from e-Census (soon to be known as PSASerbilis). The copy from the LCRO
will not suffice.
 Evidence of mother’s pregnancy. The more evidence, the better. Personally we presented
the following:
o ultrasound reports with images (sonograms)
o 20 pictures of myself while pregnant, each labeled with the date and location
o hospital billing statements and receipts
o hospital certification of confinement for myself and our child
 Evidence of parents being in the same location at the time of conception. We presented
boarding passes along with our passports.
 Evidence of parents’ relationship prior to conception. The more evidence, the better.
Personally we submitted 20 pictures of the two of us together, spanning from the start of
our relationship to just before our child was conceived, including several from our civil
wedding. My husband and I like to travel, so we presented more boarding passes along
with our old passports.

If you don’t have enough evidence to establish filiation of your child, fret not. There is
always DNA testing, which is the last resort because it’s expensive and time-consuming.
However, do not initiate DNA testing unless recommended to do so by the consular
officer. Click here for more information on this option.

 Application for a US Passport (Form DS-11). Click here to fill out the form online.
Download and print the resulting PDF file on US Letter paper, but do not sign.
 Declaration of No Social Security Number (SSN). Click here to download (embedded
below). SSN is a required field in Form DS-11. Obviously our child doesn’t have one yet,
so we entered all zeros in the field as instructed and submitted this signed declaration.
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2. Send the application

Arrange the photocopies of the requirements in the above order and mail, along with the
signed checklist, via courier to the following address:

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CITIZENSHIP AND PASSPORT UNIT
AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES
CONSULAR SECTION
1201 ROXAS BOULEVARD
MANILA 0930

3. Wait for the appointment email

A few days after we sent the package, we received the appointment letter in the email
address we indicated in Form DS-2029.
 4. Prepare for the interview

A few tips:

 Ensure all original forms and documents are complete. Arrange them in the same order as
the checklist, then place inside a waterproof plastic zip envelope for protection.
 Arrive in Manila at least a day before and check in at a nearby hotel. This is highly
recommended for those coming from outside Metro Manila, in order to avoid missing the
interview due to flight delays and/or traffic jams. We recommend staying at City Garden
Suites, a good mid-price hotel within short walking distance from the embassy.
Click here for other accommodation options near the embassy.
 Leave electronic devices behind. Cellphones and the like are not allowed inside the
embassy.
 Bring full payment of CRBA, passport, and delivery fees. The CRBA application fee is
USD $100. Click here for the latest schedule of passport fees (updated February 2018).
The embassy cashier accepts either cash (US dollars or Philippine pesos) or credit card
(Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or Diners Club International). Delivery is
handled by a third-party courier, AIR21, which accepts cash only.

5. Go to the embassy

Be sure to arrive at the embassy with your child 30 minutes before your appointment time.
There will be a throng of US visa applicants queueing outside, but CRBA applicants do not
need to fall in line; simply go straight to the entrance for US citizens.

Once inside, go to American Citizen Services (ACS) on the second floor. Pay the CRBA
and passport fees at the cashier, then wait for your turn. When your child’s name is
called, proceed to the correct counter window for pre-screening.

Present all your original forms and documents. If everything is in order, you will proceed to
the final interview with the approving consular officer. While waiting for the interview, you
can pay the delivery fees at the AIR21 booth on the same floor.

Our final interview was quick and pleasant, as most of the probing questions were already
asked during pre-screening. We signed the CRBA and passport application forms in front
of the consular officer, who then returned our original documents. Finally, the officer
confirmed that our child is a US citizen, and has been one since birth. We said our
goodbyes, left the embassy, and that’s it. Our child’s CRBA was delivered to our address
two weeks later. The passport arrived shortly after.

Want to also apply for a Philippine passport for your dual citizen child? Click here to read
about our experience.
 Hello, for the passport photos, do I need to mail 3 photos of baby and 2 for parents and also bring 3 photos of baby
and 2 of each parent to the embassy? So, total 6 passport photos for baby and 4 for each parent I need to have?
o
yellaflow Mod Cory • 2 months ago

The mailed-in photos will suffice. No need to bring extra copies during the interview.

Adelyn Tolentino • 5 months ago

Hi,just wanna ask regarding to the evidence of the US citizen parent physical presence in US, what documents did
you submit? We already send his wage and income tax and his ssn earning statements but the officer said it is not
enough and they need more evidence. Please give us idea what document do we need to provide.Thanks alot.
o
Robert Gibbs • 6 months ago

I'm an American & my wife's Filipina. Thanks for this article. It helped me ensure that I sent just the documents &
pics they needed. We received our appointment within three days of sending in our package & the appointment was
in just two weeks. Their website is a little confusing regarding sending copies or originals by courier. Thanks for that
advice. Additionally, they also returned our original documents & didn't even ask for the 2nd copy of documents.
She asked me a couple of questions, I went & paid for the CRBA, passport & AIR-21 courier service. We went back
to the window & signed our names for his citizenship & it was forwarded to the final interview. The final interview
took all of five minutes. The CRBA is supposed to be mailed to us within two weeks & we're supposed to receive his
passport within a month. Not too shabby. Again, thanks for your article it was very beneficial for the all around
experience with the Embassy.
yellaflow Mod Robert Gibbs • 6 months ago

Hi Robert, thanks for dropping by. Glad you find the post useful. Congratulations and thanks for sharing
your experience.

Adelyn Tolentino • 6 months ago

Hello! I have pending visa approval and I just gave birth last May and the consular stated that I need to submit Crba
for my daughter. I also received a letter that i need to send the Crba application for applicant’s child.I already
complete all the documents that they need and ready to be mail,so I went to 2go to submit the documents but they
didn’t accept it because they need the case number. My question is do i need to send the letter that they sent to me
together with my passport?because that is the only case number that I have and i believe that is for my k1
application. Thank you so much for your quick response.
o
jill cobarrubia • 10 months ago

hello! YOU'RE post was really helpful. Thank you very much!!!
I'm asking for a friend. My friend and her daughter just finished their interview with the consul, their asking for
CRBA/DS 2029 and her Cenomar... The US citizen father is in US right now... In regards with the Application for
 CRBA, It says "You must submit ORIGINAL documents or copies certified by the custodian of the record." Number
2: Evidence of the parent(s)' U.S. citizenship and identity. and number 3: Evidence of the U.S. citizen parent(s)'
physical presence or residence in the United States prior to the birth of the child.
Those documents will come from the US citizen father, does it have to be the ORIGINAL US PASSPORT ITSELF?
OR Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship.? AND/or school,
employment, tax, bank, and medical records, utility bills, rent receipts, or other official public documents. Does He
has to mail his US passport to his wife in order to bring it to the interview?

Do they MAIL all this ORIGINAL documents to US Embassy manila? Or only the applications? DS-2029 and DS-
11
What stuff does she need to mail to US embassy? she wants to apply for US passport to for their daughter at the
same time.

APPLICATION DS-2029 AND DS-11 will be filled out my the mother in who's on the Philippines. (?)

As far as i know the US citizen father will fill out Notarized DS-3053, Notarized DS-5507, No SSS signed
statement, And send it all to her wife, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG. What else does he need to do?

Thank you very much in advance.

iamjillcobarrubia@gmail.com

Marie • a year ago

HI! I’ve read your article about crba. And I was thinking if my husband can also do it for our daughter. We weren’t
married yet at the time she was born. And Ive read some of the comments that he has to be physically be in the US
for 5 years. My husband got his citizenship when he was 14 and i gave birth to our child when he was 18. Do you
think we can still file for a crba?
o
yellaflow Mod Marie • a year ago

Child Born Out of Wedlock to US Citizen Father:

https://www.uscis.gov/polic...

GL • a year ago

We went to the embassy earlier and since we're not married yet, consul advised to do DNA testing.

yellaflow Mod GL • a year ago

Hi GL, thanks for dropping by. Do update us on your CRBA application.


Kc • a year ago

Hello I would like to ask if I still need to bring the ORIGINAL Documents of my husband even though he will not
be present on the CRBA appointment. We got all of the documents notarized even got a SPA. I’m just a little bit
confused because of the CRBA form its stated that they don’t accept notarized documents.
o
yellaflow Mod Kc • a year ago
 Yes; it is clearly stated in the DS-2029 instructions: "You must submit ORIGINAL documents or copies
certified by the custodian of the record...We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents."

Charlie Bowen • a year ago

HELLO, QUICK QUESTION, WHEN YOU STATED: the American parent was physically present in the US or its
outlying possessions for at least five years, two of which are after the age of 14.Does this mean i had to be in the U.S
from 14 years and above? Since i was adopted and grew up in NY. from 1992 till about 2001, ,meaning i spent 9
years in the U.S so i was like 11 about that time.
o
yellaflow Mod Charlie Bowen • a year ago

Yes, you need to have spent at least 2 years in the US after your 14th birthday:

https://www.uscis.gov/polic...
Arth Lopez • a year ago

Question regarding Passport photos of applicant and parents: Do we submit it along with document photocopies
through mail or submit it upon interview?

yellaflow Mod Arth Lopez • a year ago

Submit with photocopies

Kathierynn Carmela Fredeluces • a year ago • edited

Hello, I have already underwent this procedure and my kids are already US citizens. My problem is I, the mother am
the US citizen and my kids' father is the Filipino Citizen. I'm wondering how easy or difficult it would be to get them
a Philippine passport? Do I need to undergo any other procedures or processes before getting Philippine passports
for my kids? My kids were all born here in the Philippines and has a NSO birth certificate. Hoping for your quick
response :)

yellaflow Mod Kathierynn Carmela Fredeluces • a year ago

Very easy based on our experience:

https://calabazilla.com/201...


Jill Evans • a year ago

Thanks for this great and helpful information! May I know if computer printed pictures like in PowerPoint will be
ok? Or should we go and develop each picture. Also, did you sent all pictures along with the photocopied docs?
Thank you in advance.
o
o
yellaflow Mod Jill Evans • a year ago

Just submit good-quality, non-pixelated pictures. If you have a good color inkjet printer at home, yes. If
not, better have them printed at a photo shop. It's not that expensive (around 6 pesos per photo). Yes.
 Jill Evans yellaflow • a year ago

We received an email appointment 4 days after we sent the application. Our appt time is 8:15 we
finished at 9:20am. Our initial interview including the to/from cashier and courier is 15 mins.
When we are called by the consular officer, he just explain few things and ask us to raise our right
hand and swear. He said we will receive the crba and passport in 4-6 weeks.
The consular office thank us for submitting a very comprehensive pictures and documents!

Thanks for this great tips!!!

Adelyn Tolentino Jill Evans • 6 months ago

Hi! I just wanna ask, in what courier did you deliver your packet? We have 2go outlet here
but they didn’t accept my packet because they said that they need the case number. Thank
you in advance.
Jill Evans Adelyn Tolentino • 6 months ago

Hi Adelyn, We sent our packet by LBC.


Adelyn Tolentino Jill Evans • 5 months ago

Hi Jill, just want to ask what document did you submit in evidence of the U.S parent’s
physical presence in U.S. I already his wage and income tax and his ssn earning statement
but they still need another proof that my husband stayed in the U.S for 5 years. He cannot
find his old passport and we cannot retrieve his flight record. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance😊

Jill Evans Adelyn Tolentino • 5 months ago

We’ve submitted W-2, copy of business Franchise tax and lease agreement. We suggest
you check with the IRS, you can get a copy of all of his tax returns. Also, copy of his
highschool and college diploma as well as credit report. If there is anything you need I will
let you talk to my husband he is a US lawyer. Goodluck!

Adelyn Tolentino Jill Evans • 5 months ago

Thanks jill, he already send his 1040 forms and w-2, he also send his certificate from
walmart telling that his been working for 5 years there. We hope that enough to convince
the officer because we don’t know what else we submit just to convince the officer but
thank you for info.😊

yellaflow Mod Jill Evans • a year ago

Hi Jill, that's great to hear. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your experience.

Jill Evans yellaflow • a year ago

Thank you so much. Greatly appreciated.


KC Gallardo • 2 years ago

Also, which courier did you choose to deliver your packet?

 yellaflow Mod KC Gallardo • 2 years ago

WExpress

KC Gallardo • 2 years ago

Could you suggest ways on how to organize the documents and pictures prior to delivery? (Type of envelope, how
many envelopes or folders to separate each doc required and pictures, etc.) and what are the usual questions? would
appreciate your help. Thanks!
o
yellaflow Mod KC Gallardo • 2 years ago

Just put them all in one sturdy long envelope. Don't over-organize; the pre-screener will just disassemble
your package anyway and arrange the documents to his/her liking.
Maria Carmina Santos Perion • 2 years ago

Hi! Just want to know of your child’s US passport was delivered to your PHL address? I asked because on the
application form for passport, it says they dont send passport to addresses outside the US/Canada.
o
yellaflow Mod Maria Carmina Santos Perion • 2 years ago

Yes. AIR21 will deliver the passport to the address you indicate on their waybill.

Maria Carmina Santos Perion yellaflow • 2 years ago

Thanks for responding! May I know too if your child has a Phl passport? Does he/she need one?

yellaflow Mod Maria Carmina Santos Perion • 2 years ago

Yes. It is not necessary, but it is useful as an ID and for going to ASEAN and a few other
countries visa-free.
Silver Surfer • 2 years ago

As of May 2018, are we able to process this in Cebu? I really abore traveling to Manila.
o
yellaflow Mod Silver Surfer • 2 years ago

I don't believe so:

"Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)...applications are executed at the U.S. Embassy in Manila."

Source: https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-...
You may call the Consular Agency in Cebu at +63 (32) 231-1261 to confirm.
