Embassy of the United States

Consular Reports of Birth Abroad

Reporting of Birth Abroad

Applying For A Report Of Birth And Passport For Your Child

Interviews are conducted by appointment only,
In all cases, both parents must appear in person with the child upon the submission of the application. If one parent is outside Syria and unable to appear, a signed written consent (Form DS-3053) notarized by a U.S. Notary Public or U.S. Consular officer must be provided by that parent in addition to a copy of his/her passport.

All documents must be submitted in the original language with an English translation by a certified translator. Please provide two photocopies of each document, including U.S. passports.

What You Need to Bring

If Both Parents Of The Child Are American Citizens

1. The child's official birth certificate issued by the Syrian authorities (civil registration department). Make sure the name on the birth certificate is exactly how you want it to appear on the Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
2. Parents' official marriage certificate. (translated into English)
3. Official divorce decree if either parent was previously married. If one parent is deceased, please provide an official death certificate. (translated into English)
4. Naturalization certificate for a naturalized parent(s) and U.S. passport(s).
5. Parents who have previously documented children born abroad should bring the other Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.
6. One matte finish (not glossy) photograph 2 inches square (5x5 cm), showing a full front view of the child's face with a light background. Please make sure that ears and eyebrows are visible.
7. Passport application Form DS-11; Consular Report of Birth Abroad application (Form DS-2029).    For consular forms, click here.
8. Social Security Administration Application.
   

If only one parent of the child is an American citizen

In addition to the documents listed above, the American citizen parent must provide documentation of evidence of at least five years physical presence in the U.S. before the child's birth (two years after the age of 14).  The U.S. parent must also complete an Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence.

What constitutes U.S. physical presence: U.S. citizens may count any time they have been physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions. Naturalized U.S. Citizens may count time spent in the U.S. prior to their naturalization, regardless of their status.

The following are examples of documents, which may be considered by the Consular Officer as primary evidence of physical presence in the United States:

• Official school transcripts (secondary or higher)
• Medical records
• W-2 forms and tax returns
• Social Security Earnings Record (SSA 7005)

Please note the following important information

Tax returns: tax returns without W2s will not be accepted as proof of physical presence. W2s must accompany all tax returns.

Consular Reports of Birth Abroad Certificates for previously documented children can serve as evidence that proof of physical presence was established in the past.  However, applicants may be required by the adjudicating officer to provide primary proof of physical presence as well.  For this reason, applicants are encouraged to bring all documentation regarding their physical presence in the United States with them to the interview.  Applicants who are missing information will be asked to make a second appointment and return with complete documentation.

Previous passports may be used only as supplements to additional documentary proof of physical presence. The United States does not have an exit control system, and therefore, passport stamps are not sufficient proof of physical presence.

Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence: Please make sure that the Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence is completed fully. Do not simply list years in the U.S. (i.e. 1982-1990) without identifying periods of time outside the United States (i.e. summers in Damascus). This is particularly important if the U.S. Citizen parent traveled back and forth between the U.S. and other foreign countries during the time claimed as physically present in the U.S.

The American Citizen parent must provide documentation to convince the Consular Officer reviewing the case that the American Citizen parent was physically present in the U.S for a minimum of five years (two years over the age of 14) prior to the birth of the child.  Please do not confuse physical presence with having a residence.  In order for a U.S. citizen parent to fulfill transmission requirements for citizenship, the parent must have been physically present in the U.S. for the required period of time.  Merely owning property or businesses in the U.S., paying taxes, or holding a U.S. passport is not sufficient.  Ultimately, the burden of proof rests on the parent. The information above will assist in providing proof of physical presence but the Consular Officer will make the final determination.

Please do not come to the Embassy unless all applications and documents are in order. You will not see a Consular Officer unless all required documents are complete. If the documents are not complete, you will be asked to schedule another appointment during our regular business hours.

If the American Citizen parent is unable to provide documentation to proof five years physical presence in the United States, he/she may apply for an Immigrant Visa for the child. The Consular Officer reviewing the case will provide you with information on applying for an Immigrant Visa if the officer determines that there is insufficient proof of physical presence.

Fees

Fees are paid upon submission of the application in either U.S. dollars or local Lebanese currency.  We do not accept checks or credit card.  Current fees for service are:

• Registration of birth of American citizen abroad: $65
• Execution of passport application: $25
• U.S. passport issuance fee: $40
• U.S. passport surcharge: $20

Ordering additional copies

When a Consular Report of Birth is lost, stolen, mutilated, or accidentally destroyed, a person may obtain a replacement from the Department of State upon writing to: U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, Correspondence Branch (CA/PPT/PS/PC), Suite 510, 1111 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20522-1705. Requests should be made in writing and must include the child's name, date and place of birth, name(s) of the parents, location of the Consular office that recorded the birth, and serial number of the Consular Report of Birth, if known. The request must include an affidavit setting forth the circumstances surrounding the loss, theft, or mutilation of the previous document. The child or his/her parent may request the replacement document upon payment ($10.00) by check or money order made payable to "Passport Services".