Report of Birth Abroad

Birth of a U.S. Citizen in China

Parents of a U.S. citizen child born in China should report the birth to the American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit. The Consulate General will issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and a U.S. passport, which will be needed for the child to depart China. The Report of Birth Abroad may be used as a birth certificate for school, work, or other purposes. Both parents and the child must appear in person to apply for a CRBA.

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)-Frequently Asked Questions

What is it?
The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported as soon as possible to the nearest American Embassy or Consulate for the purpose of establishing an official record of the acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record is known as the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240).

When should I apply?
The CRBA is primary evidence of citizenship and the basis for issuance of a U.S. passport - it is one of the most important documents you can obtain for your child. It is best to apply as soon as possible after the birth of the child. Since both parents and the child must appear at the time of application, most parents choose to come in one to two months after the child’s birth. However, a U.S. Consular Officer may issue a CRBA to an eligible child upon receipt of an application made by the child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) any time before the child’s 18th birthday.

Is my child a citizen?
A child born outside of the U.S. to two American citizen parents acquires U.S. citizenship as long as one of the parents has resided in the U.S. prior to the child's birth (Immigration and Nationality Act Sec.301(c)).

A child born abroad, in wedlock, acquires citizenship only when the citizen parent was physically present in the U.S. for 5 years or more prior to the child's birth, at least 2 of the 5 years occurring after the parent had passed age 14 (Immigration and Nationality Act Sec.301(g)).

A child born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen father and alien mother acquires citizenship only when the father was physically present in the U.S. for five years prior to the child’s birth, two of which after the age of 14, AND father acknowledges paternity and agrees in writing to support the child until 18 years of age (Immigration and Nationality Act Sec.301(g), 309(a) as amended).

A child born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother and alien father acquires citizenship only when the mother was physically present in the U.S. for a continuous period of one year sometime before the child’s birth (Immigration and Nationality Act Sec 309 (c).

How can I prove my residency?
A combination of the following documents can be used to prove you meet the residency requirements to transmit citizenship to your child: current and old passports with entry/departure stamps, U.S. school transcripts showing periods of attendance, W-2 forms, pay stubs, utility bills, U.S. employment references, old letters, etc. 

What if I lose the CRBA?
Only one original of the Report of Birth is issued to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Additional copies are not available at the Consulate. You must contact the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. for a replacement.

Evidence required for a Report of Birth and first passport includes:

• Both parents and the child must appear.
• An original or certified copy of the child's local birth certificate issued by a Chinese hospital. 
• U.S. passport(s) of parent(s), (and the alien parent's passport if one parent is not a U.S. citizen).   
• Parents' original marriage certificate or a certified copy. 
• Evidence of termination of parent(s) previous marriage(s) (e.g., divorce or annulment decrees or death certificates). Original or certified copies only. 
• Evidence of the child's identity if the child is over 5 years old at the time of application for a CRBA. 
• In the case of only one U.S. citizen parent, proof of the citizen parent's physical presence in the United States according to the required timelines indicated above under “Is my child a citizen?”.

• Two 2x2 inch photos (identical, taken on a white or light colored background) and one completed passport application on form DS-11.

CRBA Fee:

The fee for this service is U.S. $65.00. The fee for the child’s passport is an additional $85 or RMB equivalent.