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Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

General information about applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad is located on the Embassy’s website: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/citizenship-services/

Can I apply for a CRBA and a U.S. Passport at the same time?
As a CRBA is not a travel document, it is strongly recommended that you submit an application for the child’s U.S. passport at the same time. Both applications may be submitted together at your scheduled CRBA appointment.
Can my child’s sibling(s) apply for a CRBA at the same time? Can I renew my passport?

Answer: CRBA or passport services for the child’s sibling(s)

A separate application is required for each child that is applying for a service. We will schedule the siblings for the same date and time.

Answer: Passport services for the child’s parent(s)

If your own passport service requires an in-person appearance, you will need to book a separate an appointment in your own name. Please, inform us by e-mail and we will do our best to schedule your passport appointment for the same date and time as your CRBA appointment.

How do I apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad? How do I report the birth of my child?

In general, to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), you must:

  • Fill out the appropriate application form;
  • Provide supporting documents;
  • Pay the appropriate application fee; and
  • Schedule an appointment.

Step-by-step application instructions, including information about applications forms, fee payment, required supporting documents and how to submit your application are provided on the Embassy website: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/citizenship-services/

How do I book a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) appointment?

Effective July, 2023 you will be able to apply for a CRBA electronically in Brazil. 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.

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

  • Was the child born in Brazil?
  • Is the child under the age of 18?
  • Was at least one parent a U.S. citizen or U.S. non-citizen national when the child was born?
  • Can you use a 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?
  • Are you a biological parent of a child born abroad who is applying for that child?

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

For additional information please visit: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/citizenship-services/

How far in advance do I need to book my child’s CRBA appointment so that the documents will be received before I need to depart?
We recommend that you schedule your appointment as soon as possible to avoid issues with your travel. We do not recommend purchasing airline tickets without having your original passport in hand. You will be able to discuss whether an emergency passport is required based on your travel plans at your appointment.
My child has a claim to U.S. citizenship. Am I required to apply for a CRBA?
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is official evidence of citizenship for children under the age of 18 born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent(s) who acquired citizenship at birth. All U.S. citizens are required to enter and exit the U.S. using a valid U.S. passport. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you resolve your child’s claim to citizenship before your child’s first journey to the United States.
My child was born in another country. Can I apply for a CRBA for them in Brazil?

If you believe that your child has a claim to U.S. citizenship you may apply for a CRBA and first U.S. passport in Brazil. After your child’s appointment in Brazil, we will forward the CRBA application to the Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your child’s birthplace. Therefore, processing will take longer than normal. You will be advised further during the appointment.

Additional information on CRBA eligibility is available at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/birth-abroad.html

My child was born in Brazil and is now in another country. What should I do?
Visit the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate via https://www.usembassy.gov/ to find out how to apply for a CRBA for them in that country.
My child was born in Brazil and is now in the United States. What should I do?
It is not possible to apply for a CRBA within the United States. If your child has not yet been documented as a U.S. citizen, go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html to find out how to apply for a U.S. passport for your child in the United States. Their claim to citizenship will be adjudicated as part of the passport application process.
My child’s CRBA certificate has gone missing. How can I get a copy?

The Embassy does not keep copies of CRBA certificates on file. However, you may apply for a copy of a CRBA certificate through the Department of State in the United States.

Please visit https://travel.state.gov and go to “How to Replace or Amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad”

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/requesting-a-vital-record-as-a-u-s–citizen/replace-amend-CRBA.html

None of the citizenship transmission scenarios apply to my child. What should I do?
What is a Consular Report of Birth Abroad?

Children born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent may have a claim to U.S. citizenship. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a certificate that serves as official evidence of U.S. citizenship issued to a child under the age of 18 who was born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent(s). It documents that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth.

Information about transmission requirements and application instructions are provided on the following website: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/citizenship-services/

What is the status of my child’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad Application?

We do not provide routine status updates for applications within the standard processing timeframe (3-4 weeks). If you/your child submitted an application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and passport and it has been more than the standard processing time, you may contact the U.S. Embassy at: the U.S. Embassy or Consulate location where you applied.

Visit the following link for contact information: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/contact-information-working-hours-appointments/

Where can I apply for a Social Security Number?

If you live in Brazil and have questions about the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Lisbon, Portugal. For more information, please visit their website .

You may contact FBU Lisbon by email FBU.Lisbon@ssa.gov (please include your name, date of birth, phone number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your question).

General information on SSA services for people living outside the United States can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/index.html .