U.S. Citizenship Claim Checklist - Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and First-time U.S. Passport Application

Sep 20, 2026

U.S. Citizenship Claim Checklist explains how to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and, for first-time applicants, an initial U.S. passport. It defines CRBA as a formal document confirming U.S. citizenship acquired at birth for eligible children born abroad to qualifying U.S. citizen parents. The checklist details appointment requirements, eCRBA vs paper DS-11 options by age, and the need to bring original documents, including PSA birth certificates, passport photos, parental proof of citizenship, IDs, and legitimation evidence.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

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U.S. Citizenship Claim Checklist

CRBA purpose and eligibility

Appointments and submission rules

Application methods by applicant age

Required documents for CRBA and first-time passport

U.S. Citizenship Claim Checklist Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and First-time U.S. Passport Application A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a formal document certifying the acquisition of United States citizenship at birth for a person born abroad to a U. S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) . Contact us: American Citizens Services (ACS) U.S. Embassy Manila U.S Consular Agency, Cebu Website: [https//ph.usembassy.gov](https//ph.usembassy.gov) Email: [acsinfomanila@state.gov](acsinfomanila@state.gov) (Manila) [acsinfocebu@state.gov](acsinfocebu@state.gov) (Cebu) An in-person appointment is required for all minor applicants for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), and for all adult applicants applying for U.S. citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent. Please bring all the original documents to your appointment. The original documents submitted will be returned after your interview. 􀂅 For applicants younger than 18, use eCRBA to complete an online application. eCRBA is the Department of State’sonline application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) . This application method allows you to enter your data, upload required documents and pay the required fees. Additionally, you will be able to check the status of your application online. If you cannot submit your CRBA application electronically as required; visit: [https://ph.usembassy.gov/paper](https://ph.usembassy.gov/paper)based-crba-application for instructions on alternative options. 􀂅 For applicants aged 18 and above, complete DS-11 form printed from the online system with a barcode and assemble the documents listed below. Please note that missing any of these documents will delay your appointment: 􀂅 Applicants regardless of age must be present at the interview. Both parents must accompany minor applicants. If the U.S. citizen parent cannot be present, the other parent must bring a DS-5507 form completed by the U.S. citizen parent, notarized by the U.S. commissioned or at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If a person other than a parent or the child is applying for the CRBA, the person must present a certified copy of legal guardianship or notarized affidavit or letter of authorization (LOA) from the parent(s) authorizing the person to make the application. 􀂅 Applicant’s original birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) . Visit: [https://psa.gov.ph](https://psa.gov.ph) to obtain the PSA birth certificate. We generally cannot accept birth certificates issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) or National Statistics Office (NSO). 􀂅 Two (2) unedited passport photos of the applicant/child and one (1) for each parent, size 2in x 2in (5cm x 5cm), white background, taken in the last six months. Eyeglasses are not permitted in the photos. 􀂅 U.S. citizen parent’s proof of citizenship at the applicant/child's birth. (e.g. U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, CRBA, and Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship) . 􀂅 Parent/s two (2) valid identifications (e.g. passports, driver's license, professional ID, voter's ID, senior citizen ID, Unified Multipurpose ID, National ID, or other government-issued photo-digitized IDs) . 􀂅 Legitimation evidence. Visit: [https://ph.usembassy.gov/eligibility-to-transmit-us-citizenship](https://ph.usembassy.gov/eligibility-to-transmit-us-citizenship) for meeting the legitimation requirements appropriate for the applicant/child’s circumstances. o Marriage certificate (if applicable) . Visit [https://psa.gov.ph](https://psa.gov.ph) to obtain a marriage certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) if married in the Philippines. o Divorce decree/Annulment decree/Death certificate (if applicable) . school transcripts, W2 forms, U.S. military statement of service or DD214) . Earnings statements from the Social Security Administration can help prove t

FAQs

Is an in-person appointment required for CRBA and first-time passport applications?

Yes. An in-person appointment is required for all minor CRBA applicants and for adult applicants applying for U.S. citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent. Bring all original documents to the appointment.

What application method should minors use for CRBA?

Applicants younger than 18 must use eCRBA to complete an online CRBA application. eCRBA allows data entry, upload of required documents, payment of fees, and online status checking.

What main documents are required for applicants at the interview?

Applicants must present a PSA-issued original birth certificate, passport photos (with white background and no eyeglasses), proof of the U.S. citizen parent’s citizenship, and valid IDs for parents. Legitimation evidence appropriate to the circumstances must also be provided.

Sep 20, 2026

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