Birth

Apply Online for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)!

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a formal document certifying the acquisition of United States citizenship at birth for a person born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  United States non-citizen nationals are also eligible for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, using the non-citizen option.

CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday.  We recommend that parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth.

 

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for a CRBA online at U.S. Embassy Luanda, your child must have been born in Angola or Sao Tome and Principe and you must travel to the U.S. Embassy in Luanda, Angola, for the in-person interview.

To be eligible to apply for a CRBA online, you MUST answer all the following criteria with YES.

  1. Was the child born in Angola or Sao Tome and Principe?
  2. Is the child under the age of 18?
  3. Was at least one parent a U.S. citizen or U.S. non-citizen national when the child was born?
  4. Can you use an internationally accepted credit/debit card or a direct payment method from a U.S. dollar-denominated bank account (also known as “ACH”) to pay online for your Consular Report of Birth Abroad application?
  5. Are you a biological parent of a child born abroad and applying for a CRBA for that child?

If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you MUST apply in person by completing a paper application (DS-2029).

 

How to Apply Online

You can now apply for a CRBA electronically at U.S. Embassy Luanda!  This new online feature allows U.S. citizen parents to complete a CRBA application online, upload all required documents, and submit payment prior to the in-person interview.

  1. To apply for a CRBA online, you need to create a MyTravelGov account.  MyTravelGov is a secured, encrypted portal.  Watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVgRyLQd3jA&t=4s) to learn more about creating your account.
  2. Once you have created a MyTravelGov account you can access eCRBA and submit your application online.  The easy-to-use online process provides applicants with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application.  You may review the necessary documents for the CRBA application in advance by reviewing this checklist.
  3. Once you complete the online application and submit payment, you will then be directed to schedule your appointment at U.S. Embassy Luanda.  Please schedule your appointment at least 72 hours after payment submission.  This provides time for your payment to be processed prior to your CRBA interview.  Please Note: Do NOT make another (or duplicate) payment for a CRBA ($100) at the Embassy.
  4. Attend you scheduled in-person interview with your original documents and their photocopies (single-sided).  Original documents will be returned to you after reviewing your application.  You must provide English translations for all foreign language documents.  The child must be present at the time of application.  Generally, both parents also attend the interview.

 

Need Help?

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How to Apply In Person

No matter where you apply for CRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad), you need to fill out the application form DS-2029.  You must make an appointment for this service. Note that you must bring the original documents, as well as single-sided photocopies.  Original documents will be returned to you after your interview.  The child must attend the interview.  Please see to the list of supporting documents towards a CRBA application.

CRBA Checklist for U.S. Parent(s):

  • CRBA Application Form DS-2029
    • Once completed, print it out single-sided and bring to your interview.
  • The child’s foreign birth certificate (original and one single-sided photocopy)
  • Proof of parent’s U.S. citizenship (original and one single-sided photocopy).  Your full validity U.S. passport is the preferred form of proof.  Your U.S. birth certificate (hospital certificate of birth is not acceptable), naturalization certificate, your CRBA are also acceptable.
  • Proof of the relationship between the U.S. citizen parent(2) and the child.  Your child’s birth certificate with both parents’ names on it is the best form of proof.
  • Parents’ marriage certificate (original and one single-sided photocopy)
  • Proof of termination of ALL prior marriages for both parents (original and one single-sided photocopy)
  • Evidence of physical presence (can be originals or photocopies)
    • Primary evidence that may establish your physical presence in the U.S. includes: transcripts from high school and/or college, wage statements, old passports, income tax returns, utility bills in the name of the parent, employment records, military records, and/or medical records.  The more you can provide, the easier it will be for the consular officer to approve the CRBA.
  • Both parents’ IDs (original and photocopy)
  • Passport Application Form DS-11
    • Once completed, print it out single-sided and bring to your interview
    • Child’s photo (see passport photo requirements)
    • Please note that for first-time passport applications, the name of the applicant should match their birth certificate.  Any material changes to the applicant’s name must be supported by a document such as an amended birth certificate reflecting the name change. An affidavit from parents is not sufficient to establish a material name change.
  • CRBA Fee is 100 USD.  It can be paid in cash (USD or AOA); we do not accept Multicaixa.

 

Other Important Information

Note:  If you prefer to submit a paper-based application, please follow U.S. Embassy Luanda’s in-person procedures.  Learn more about transmitting citizenship here.

Passport applications and Social Security Card applications must be completed and submitted separately.  Please note that an application for a Social Security Number can only be submitted after receiving the original Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Passport. To obtain a Social Security Number for your child, please contact Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy Lisbon (Portugal).