Reporting of Birth Abroad

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is an official record of U.S. citizenship issued to a person under age 18 who was born abroad to United States citizen parent(s) and who acquired citizenship at birth. This report is given the same credence in the United States as birth certificates issued by state authorities in the U.S.

To register the birth of a child born in Iraq to a married couple, one or both of which is a U.S., both parents of the child are required to appear in person at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy with the child. In addition, the following documents are required:

• The child's original Iraqi birth certificate, plus a copy, and an English translation;
  
• The parent's original marriage certificate, plus a copy, and an English translation, if the original document is not in English;
  
• Original or certified copies of divorce decrees or annulment decrees, plus copies, for any prior marriages of either parent;
  
• Both parents' passports, and copies of the biographic information page;
  
• Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence. This form can be obtained at the Embassy or downloaded. The U.S. citizen parent should sign this affidavit in the presence of the U.S. Consular Officer;
  
• An application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Form FS-579 (PDF). The U.S. citizen parent should sign this affidavit in the presence of the U.S. Consular Officer.
  
• Application fee of $65, payable in U.S. Dollars, cash only.

If only one parent is an American citizen, then that parent must bring proof of at least five (5) years of cumulative physical presence in the United States or its outlying possessions, of which two (2) years were after the age of 14. Documents such as school or college transcripts, tax records, W-2 forms, military service record form number DD-214, old passports or old billing statements showing residence in the United States may be presented for consideration. Every document submitted must be an original or a certified copy.

If both parents are American citizens, one citizen parent must bring proof of at least one (1) year of physical presence in the United States or its outlying territories prior to the child's birth.

For a child born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen father and foreign mother, documentary evidence demonstrating both parents' physical presence in the same location at the probable time of the child's conception must be presented.

In order to apply for a U.S. passport for the child at the same time, see instructions for First Time Passports.

Note: Individuals over 18 who believe they may have a claim to U.S. citizenship should review the information on derivative claims to U.S. citizenship and ascertain that they meet the requirements before applying for a U.S. passport for the first time.