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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://cr.usembassy.gov/services/birth/

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 appointment is required for each child that is applying for a service, so please choose a date on which there are sufficient appointments. The appointments can be in the same time slot if available. Please contact the embassy or consulate if you are unable to schedule passport or CRBA services for all of your minor children on the same day: SanJoseCRBA@state.gov

During the earliest appointment, tell the consular officer that you are applying for services for multiple children. The applications will be processed at the same time if possible.

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 appointment in your own name.

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://cr.usembassy.gov/services/birth/

How do I book a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) appointment?
The U.S. Mission in Costa Rica now accepts CRBA applications electronically (eCRBA). Please review the following link for detailed information and to determine if you can apply using eCRBA: https://cr.usembassy.gov/services/birth/#Apply
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. If a CRBA appointment is available before your travel date, no matter how close to the date, please book it. 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 Costa Rica?

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 Costa Rica. After your child’s appointment in Costa Rica, 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 Costa Rica 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 Costa Rica 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://cr.usembassy.gov/services/birth/

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 (two to three weeks for passports / four weeks for CRBAs). 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:

SanJoseCRBA@state.gov

What should I do if there are no CRBA appointments available and I have urgent travel?

It is not necessary to obtain a CRBA if you have an urgent need to travel or if it is more convenient, you may apply for a passport in lieu of a CRBA.

Step-by-step application instructions, including information about applications forms, fee payment, photograph requirements, required supporting documents and how to submit your application are provided on the Embassy website at: https://cr.usembassy.gov/passports/

In the United States, you may apply at any passport acceptance agency. Consult the State Department website: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov to find the passport acceptance agency closest to you.

Where can I apply for a Social Security Number?

If you reside in Costa Rica and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in San Jose.

For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at: https://cr.usembassy.gov/contact/#fbu

For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World.

If you are already receiving SSA benefits payments, there will be no change in the method of distribution of those payments.

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