Report Birth Abroad

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.

*Applicants must use the eCRBA electronic application process described in “How to Apply” below, not the paper DS-2029 paper application, to apply for the CRBA at U.S. Embassy Reykjavik. Applicants who arrive for an appointment with a paper DS-2029 application for a child born in Iceland will be rescheduled for an appointment another day after they complete an eCRBA application.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply, your child must have been born in Iceland and you must travel to the U.S Embassy in Reykjavik 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 Iceland?
  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 who is applying for that child?

If you answer no to any of the above questions, then you must apply by completing a paper application (DS-2029). Otherwise, you MUST complete the electronic application.

How to Apply

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

  • To apply for a CRBA online, you need to create a MyTravelGov account. MyTravelGov is a secured, encrypted portal. Watch this video to learn more about creating your account.
  • 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 below.
  • Once you complete the online application and submit payment, you will then be directed to schedule your appointment at the U.S Embassy in Reykjavik online. 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.
  • 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.

Questions?

  • For step-by-step CRBA online instructions, please see this document.
  • You may also view a MyTravelGov application how-to video.
  • For other questions or concerns, please use the Consular Navigator.

Checklist for Your Child’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad

  1. An original copy of the child’s Icelandic birth certificate, from Þjóðskrá, the Icelandic National Registry. It has to be in English.
  2. U.S. passport(s) of the U.S. citizen parent(s). A non-U.S. citizen parent must provide government-issued photo identification such as a foreign passport or driver’s license.
  3. Original marriage certificate of the parents (if applicable).
  4. Original divorce decrees from any prior marriages for both parents (if applicable).
  5. Prior marriage and divorce documents for parent’s; original and one copy.
  6. U.S. citizen parent’s valid U.S. passport. Non-U.S. citizen parent may present a physical driver’s license or passport; original and 3 copies of each ID.
  7. Proof of physical presence for the American parent. School transcripts, proof of employment, or any other document that shows that you were physically in the U.S. long enough to transmit your citizenship to your child. Note a driver’s license or state-issued ID card does not constitute proof of physical presence. You must submit documentary proof of physical presence as part of your application, unless the child was born to two U.S. citizens.

Note:  If you are ineligible to submit an online CRBA because your child was not born in Iceland, you must submit a paper-based application using Form DS-2029, including all dates and documentary evidence of physical presence.  Do not sign the form until you are in front of the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. Please complete the online form and then print it. Avoid handwriting the form. If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, then Form DS-5507 – Affidavit of Parentage, Physical Presence, and Support is also required. It is not required if both parents are U.S. citizens.

If you use the paper form, you must Book an Appointment, and you must pay the $100 fee by cash or credit card in person at the time of the appointment. We do not accept payment by smartphones or smartwatches. The Social Security application is free.

Passport applications and Social Security Card applications must be completed and submitted separately.

For Your Child’s U.S. Passport

In addition to the documents listed above, you must also bring the following documents for the passport application for your child:

  1. Form DS-11:  Passport application for a minor child. Please complete the form online, print it, and bring it to your appointment. Do not sign the form until you are in the presence of the Consular Officer.
  2. One passport size photo of your child.  This link provides information about photo requirements as well as tips on how to successfully take newborn baby photos. Please note that most mall photo booth photos will not meet U.S. passport photo requirements. Photo Requirements.
  3. Passport application fee of $135 or the equivalent in Icelandic kronur.  The Embassy accepts U.S. dollars cash, Icelandic kronur cash, or credit cards.
  4. Both parents and the child must be physically present at the time of the interview.  U.S. law requires both parents to sign the passport application form for any child age 15 or younger in the presence of a U.S. Consular Officer.  If one parent is unable to come to the interview, please use the Consular Navigator to contact us.

For Your Child’s Social Security Card

  1. Complete and print an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS (PDF 132 KB). Your child’s Social Security Card will be mailed directly to the address you list on this application form. Do not sign the form until you are in front of the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. Please complete the form online form and print it. Avoid completing the form in handwriting.

Your child’s social security card will be processed through the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway. The card will be mailed to the address you listed on the application within 6-8 weeks.