Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA): What It Is and Why Apostille Certification Matters for International Use
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad known as a (CRBA) is an essential document for U.S. citizens born outside the United States to American parents. The form used for this purpose is the FS-240. This form serves as proof of U.S. citizenship and is crucial for obtaining a U.S. passport and other official documents. When applying for a CRBA, parents must provide detailed information about the child’s birth, including evidence of their own U.S. citizenship. Once the application is approved, the CRBA is issued, providing the child with legal recognition as a U.S. citizen.
- When is a CRBA Issued?
- How to Apply for a CRBA
- How to request an Apostille on your CRBA
A CRBA is issued under the following circumstances:
- Child Born Abroad: The child must be born outside the United States or its territories.
- U.S. Citizen Parent(s): At least one of the parents must be a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
- Proof of Citizenship and Physical Presence: The U.S. citizen parent(s) must provide evidence of their citizenship and physical presence in the U.S. for a required period before the child’s birth.
More information can be found travel.state.gov:
You can apostille the CRBA if the birth certificate was issued within the last 5 years. If the CRBA is not recently issued, then you would need to request a new certified copy. We can help with this procedure. Retrieving a new certified copy with the apostille certificate can take 6-9 weeks, and sometimes up to 12 weeks depending on their workload.
Using Elite Documents to Facilitate the Process
Navigating the process of obtaining a new CRBA with an apostille can be complex and time-consuming. That’s where a document facilitation service like Elite Documents can help. Here’s how we can assist you:
- Document Preparation: We guide you on the necessary documents and ensure everything is in order.
- Liaison with Authorities: We handle communication with the U.S. Department of State on your behalf.
- Efficient Processing: Our experience ensures that your application is processed as quickly as possible.
- Delivery: We ensure you receive the new CRBA with the apostille certification, ready for international use.