Consular Reports of Birth Abroad
We assist U.S. citizen parents in determining whether their children born abroad are entitled to U.S. citizenship and, if so, by providing information on the procedures and documentation necessary to obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and a U.S. passport. Described below are procedures that you need to follow and a brief description of the various circumstances under which a child born abroad acquires American citizenship.
Child born abroad to two U.S. Citizens: A child born outside of the United States or its outlying possessions to parents, both of whom are citizens of the United States, is entitled to citizenship provided one of the parents had, prior to the birth of the child, been resident in the United States or one of its outlying possessions. (No specific period of time is required.)
Child born abroad to one U.S. Citizen parent and one non-U.S. Citizen on or after November 14, 1986: A child born outside of the United States to one U.S. Citizen parent and one non-U.S. Citizen parent may be entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. Citizen parent had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after s/he reached the age of fourteen. This period of physical presence* must have taken place prior to the birth of the child.
Child born abroad to one U.S. Citizen parent and one non-U.S. Citizen parent between December 24, 1952 and November 3, 1986: A child born outside of the United States to one U.S. Citizen parent and one non-U.S. Citizen parent, may be entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. Citizen parent had, prior to the birth of the child, been physically present in the United States for a period of ten years, at least five years of which were after s/he reached the age of fourteen.
Child born out of wedlock to a U.S. Citizen mother: A child born outside of the United States and out of wedlock to a U.S. Citizen mother is entitled to U.S. Citizenship providing the U.S. Citizen mother had been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least one year at some time prior to the birth of her child.
Child born out of wedlock to a U.S. Citizen father: A child born outside of the United States to a U.S. Citizen father where there is no marriage to the non-American mother is entitled to U.S. Citizenship providing the American citizen father had been physically present in the United States for the period of time as specified in previous paragraphs for children born in wedlock to one U.S. Citizen and one non-U.S. Citizen parent, either before or after November 14, 1986; and the following is fulfilled:
Either of the following conditions is met:
Physical Presence
This is the actual time when the parent was physically present in the United States, not simply as a resident. This means that any travel outside the United States, including vacation, should be excluded. Please submit old passports if available, as evidence. If unavailable, other evidence may be required. Note: Any periods of time spent overseas with the United States Military/Government etc. may be computed as physical presence in the United States for transmission of citizenship purposes. Time spent as a dependent of a United States Military/Government employee may also be computed as physical presence. Military records may be requested.
Registering the Birth and obtaining a United States Passport:
If you believe that your child has a claim to U.S. Citizenship, it will be necessary for the U.S. Citizen parent to appear in person at this office in order to execute an application for a 'Consular Report of Birth Abroad' before a consular officer. At that time a passport application may also be executed.
Note: Your child must be registered before the age of eighteen, or before his/her first trip to the United States, whichever is sooner.
How do I register the child?
The U.S. citizen services unit accepts applications for consular reports of birth abroad without appointment during its regular working hours. Both parents and the child must be present at the Embassy at the time of the application.
What documents are required?
Child's Birth Certificate (International extract)
Parents' Marriage Certificate (International extract). If married in the United States, please provide a state certificate issued by the civil authorities. The birth and marriage certificates obtained in Macedonia should be in the English language. This is available by requesting International extracts from the civil registry office (Maticna sluzba).
Evidence of Parents' Citizenship and Identity: Parents' current US passports must be submitted at the time of application. Note: Military members in active duty status may present any of the following evidence if not in possession of a US passport: a birth certificate issued by the State Vital Statistics Office bearing a raised state seal and showing a file date no later than one year from the date of birth; or a Certificate of Naturalization; or, if parent was born outside the United States, a Consular Report of Birth (form FS-240 or FS-545).
If either parent has previously been married, proof of termination of previous marriage(s), i.e. Divorce Decree/Death Certificate, etc. If the document is not in English, it should be translated.
Evidence of the required residence in the United States, such as, employment letters, bank books, school records, pay checks, etc.
Mother's pregnancy book (pregnancy records)
Discharge paper from the hospital.
Form DS-2029: Application for Consular Report of Birth. Please complete this form legibly and correctly. Instructions on how to complete this form are given on the reverse side of the form. Please do not sign the form until instructed by the Consular Officer to do so.
Form SS-5-F5: Application for a Social Security Card. This form is an application for a Social Security Number Card for your child at the time of application. Please ensure that it is accurately completed. Note: Do not sign the form until told to do so - it must be executed at the Embassy. This application will then be sent to the Social Security Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, for processing. You should receive the number in four or five month's time.
Note: If you wish to return your original documents please present the originals together with photocopies. Upon examination, the originals will be returned to you.
Fee: The Consular Report of Birth fee of $65.00 may be paid in cash, dollars or denars.
How do I apply for my child's passport?
Both parents and the child need to be present at the Embassy to execute the passport application form. For proof of identity, both parents' passports are required. If the second parent is absent, the application must be accompanied by the absent parent's notarized written Statement of Consent authorizing passport issuance for the child. The statement should also include the child's name and date and place of birth.
What documents are required?
Passport photo requirements: Please furnish two photographs which are:
identical
taken within the last 6 months
printed on high quality photographic paper
minimum size 50mm X 50 mm (2" X 2")
facing completely forward (head not turned) without a head covering
white background
either black and white or color
Applicants should be aware that the Embassy will reject any photographs that do not conform to U.S. Passport standards,(i.e., photo too small, head size too small, not identical, out of focus, dark background).
Note: Vending machine photographs are unacceptable.
A completed passport application form DS-11. Please complete all white sections of the form legibly and correctly.
Fees
The passport fee for a child under 16 years of age is $85.00 and for a child of 16-18 years is $100.00. The fee must be paid in cash, dollars or denars. Credit cards or checks are not acceptable. A child born to U.S. Military personnel may be entitled to a no-fee passport. Please check with your Personal Affairs Office on base.
Information for Travelers
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad
