NinJones Guide to Filing Your Kid’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Ahoy! So let’s get straight to what this post is all about – Filing your son/daughter’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

» First, this is just a guide I want to share for those who are going to file for their child’s CRBA, everything here is based on how we (my husband and I) processed ours. If you have any inquiries, I will try my best to answer your Q’s, but if I can’t – well, then I simply can’t, hehe!

» Second, my guide will tackle only about CRBA’s filed in the PHILIPPINES, other country’s procedure may vary.

» Third, this will go around the most common case I originally came up with - that is - a Filipina married/engaged to an American Citizen. So I'll keep this guide limited to that scenario. Arighty?

» Fourth, before I start, here are some links you might want to visit/read first, this gives you complete(?) info regarding CRBA and it’s legalities.

From US Dept. of State:
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/overseas/overseas_703.html
From US Embassy in Manila:
http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwha003.html

Let’s get started.

What is Consular Report of Birth Abroad?

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad 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 acquired citizenship at birth.

Be reminded as well that filing CRBA for your child/ren is not restricted to married couples only, I will be showing several options for those who are eligible to apply later on as we go through our guide.

:: How To Start ::

» You have two options. Choose what's convenient for you. :) «

1. You can go to US Embassy in Manila at their American Citizen Services department and inquire about CRBA, they will give you the packet that contains the forms and instructions on how to process the CRBA. Application for US Passport of your child is usually included but make sure you’ll ask about it as well.

Consular Section
U.S. Embassy
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Manila, Philippines 1000

American Citizen Service
Tel. No. : (632) 301-2000 extension 2555, 2246
Fax : (632) 301-2017

2. I would actually recommend this. Less hassle. Well, not unless you live right in front (or beside) the USEM, then you can just skip this option... So you may call USEM's official Courier, Air21 for US Embassy. Request delivery of the CRBA and US Passport Application packet. They will charge COD (Cash on Delivery) of 225.00 pesos (price is subject to change).

Air21/FedEx
(02) 879-4747
Calls are accepted between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm
Monday through Friday, except US and PI holidays

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:: You Must Know ::
The CRBA packet is only valid up to 60 days upon delivery. You must comply with all the requirements and have it picked up by the courier for submission to USEM before the packet expires, else, you'll have to request for another one. Savvy?
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Arighty .. Moving on, say you already have the packet, next would be, of course - the requirements! Yay!

Basing on the requirements found on the USEM website, we will discuss them one by one into a simpler explanation of what these requirements really are … there’s just a lot of words written all over that page, in addition to all the blah-blahs, they forgot to include additional supporting documents!

01. Applicant's ID Photos: Two(2) identical pieces. Must be 2x2 inches in size, taken at least within the last six(6) months and background must be white or off-white. Exact details regarding photo specifications can be found on the packet.


Birth Ceritificate issued by the National Statistics Office02. NSO Birth Certificate of the Applicant: (your child). NSO! NSO! NSO! NOT certified copy from your town’s local civil registry, NOT a photocopy of NSO birth certificate, NOT the BC from the hospital and most definitely NOT the fake birth certificate you can get at Recto! Nothing else than just the birth certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) printed on Security Paper (SECPA).


NSO Issued Marriage Certificate03. NSO Marriage Certificate If you're married, then you should have this. And just like the NSO BC mentioned above, nothing else but the NSO Issued marriage certificate must be provided.

:: For Applicant's Born Out of Wedlock ::

If an applicant was born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen father, meaning, if you're not (or not yet) married, you could still apply for your child's CRBA. This is most common to couples under K1 Visa petitions. I assume you know the scenario. If somebody's giving you false information such as that CRBA is only for married couples - NOT true. The thing is, the applicant's father must provide an Affidavit of Parentage that contains the following information:

&clubs Acknowledgement of paternity of the child
&clubs Agreement to provide financial support to the child until the child reaches the age of 18
&clubs Father’s whereabouts/location, during the approximate time of conception of the child

:: To download a sample of an Affidavit of Parentage, click here ::


Father's original BC and Passport are strong proof of their US Citizenship04. Evidence of parent's U.S. citizenship: Provide at least two(2) proofs.

&clubs Husband's Birth Certificate (Certified true copy of US BC with original seal of the vital records office)
&clubs Original passport - and I mean original. If you girl don't have it, demand for it! Tell him it's an order!

Above are the most common evidences you can provide. And if applicable, you may also submit the father’s Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship (if he is not a natural-born citizen) and Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth Abroad (if he had gone through the same thing you're at now).