DS-2029: Consular Report of Birth Abroad for a U.S. Citizen

Children born outside the U.S. with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen acquire citizenship at birth. The child must have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad to prove citizenship. The child can obtain this from the child’s parent or guardian or someone acting in loco parents. The document does not take the place of a travel document. It functions only as proof of citizenship that can be used to obtain a passport or visa or in any other situation requiring proof of citizenship.

A detailed application must be completed and submitted with supporting documents to the U.S. embassy, consulate or designated U.S. military official. The application is not to be signed until the applicant is in the actual physical presence of the designated acceptance agent.

The application with detailed and comprehensive instructions for filling it out can be found on the U.S. Department of State website. Some essential documents must be gathered and submitted in conjunction with the application, rules, and regulations to be considered acceptable evidence of the parent or parents’ citizenship.

DS-2029 – Consular Report of Birth Abroad for a U.S. Citizen

When an applicant is gathering together the required documentation, it is important to note that all supporting documents must be original or certified copies of the original. Certified copies bear the seal of a court, the seal of the vital records office that issued the document, or other recognized authority. No ordinary copies will be accepted under any circumstances.

Documents To Submit with DS-2029

The purpose of the application is to verify identity and establish citizenship. To efficiently do this, the parent or parents must submit the following citizenship and identity documents for themselves and the child.

• Child’s birth certificate.
• Evidence of citizenship and identity of the parents. Acceptable documents are the parent’s birth certificate or Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship or a U.S. Government-issued passport. Parents may also submit their own Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Contact the U.S. consul for assistance for those with none of these documents.
• Documentation proving that the parent was a resident or at least physically present in the U.S. before the child’s birth must be presented. Several documents can qualify, such as evidence of school attendance, employment, tax documents, medical records, utility bills, and rent receipts. Affidavits of those who know the parent or parents may also be submitted. The application form requires applicants to provide details of dates, times, and places in the U.S. where they lived.
• Parent’s marriage certificate if they are married.
• If parents are married to each other and previously divorced, they must present evidence verifying that any previous marriages were terminated.
• If the person applying on behalf of the child is not the child’s parent, the applicant must provide a certified copy of legal guardianship. If that is not available, a notarized affidavit from a parent authorizing the person to act on the child’s behalf may be acceptable.

There may be situations where the consular officer may require additional documentation.

Related Read: The Child Passport Guide

Conclusion

In conclusion, applying for a U.S. passport requires the applicant to provide detailed information about their places of residence and family status. If the person applying on behalf of a child is not a parent, legal guardianship or an affidavit authorizing that person to act on the child’s behalf may be required. Additional documentation may also be requested in some cases. It is essential to be prepared with all the necessary paperwork to ensure a smooth application process.