Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA)
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City
Consular Report of Birth Abroad will be processed by appointment ONLY
Appointments
Make sure that you meet the requirements and have all the documentation ready the day of the appointment.
For the Consular Report of Birth Abroad requirements in a PDF printable version please click here (PDF 277 KB).
A child born abroad to a U. S. citizen parent or parents may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if certain statutory requirements are met. The child´s parents should apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad at the earliest possible date to the Consular Section of the U. S. Embassy in Guatemala City.
It is important that parents obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA) since according to U.S. law, a CRBA is proof of U.S. citizenship and may be used to obtain a U.S. passport and register for school, among other purposes.
We encourage the child’s parents to apply for a U.S. passport for the child at the same time that they apply for a CRBA. (Parents may also choose to apply only for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad).
If you are interested in getting a passport for your child go to First time passport for minors (PDF – 81KB)
Failure to promptly document a child who meets the statutory requirements for acquiring U.S. citizenship at birth may cause problems for the parents and the child when attempting to establish the child’s U.S. citizenship and eligibility for the rights and benefits of U.S. citizenship, including entry into the United States. By law, U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States
Please note that for any documents that require notarization, we can only accept documents notarized by a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, by a notary public from the United States or by a consular officer at other U.S. consular facilities overseas. We cannot accept local Guatemalan notaries.
Please also note that applicants are responsible for providing translations of court documents, if required by the consular officer.
Requirements
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. citizen is only issued to a child who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and who is under the age of 18 at the time of the application.
A person born abroad who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth but who is over the age of 18 (and so not eligible for a CRBA) may wish to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship to document acquisition pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1452. Visit USCIS.gov for further information.
The day of the appointment you should bring:
CRBA application Form DS-2029 (PDF 325 KB) filled out online and printed.
If applying for a Passport, please check the First time passport for minors (PDF – 81KB) for the requirements.
Original Guatemalan birth certificate issued by RENAP. As per U.S. regulations the first and last names entered on the form DS-2029, should typically be the same as the name recorded on the local birth certificate. If you prefer only one of your child´s last names to appear on the U. S. documents, please contact RENAP to request a change of name prior coming to your appointment date. https://www.renap.gob.gt/servicios/inscripcion-de-cambio-de-nombre-notarial
Proof of identity for both parents’ Any valid government official document, in good condition, with both name and picture such as passports and U.S. Certificate(s) of Naturalization (if applicable)
Original evidence of valid marriage of the parents, if applicable. If married in Guatemala, the original marriage certificate from RENAP is required.
Evidence of the termination of any prior marriage of either parent (original divorce documents or original death certificates).
Evidence of the U. S. citizen parent’s physical presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth. For children born to one U. S. citizen parent and to one non – U. S. citizen parent, the U.S. citizen parent must demonstrate a total of 5 years of physical presence in the U.S., with at least 2 of the 5 years occurring after the parent reached the age of 14 years old. All years of physical presence must have occurred prior to the birth of the child. The consular officer may require additional documentation.
Submit documents to provide evidence such as:
- School Transcripts
- Social Security Earning Statements,
- Income Tax Return, W2´s (from employment held while in the United States)
Evidence of pregnancy and birth records such as dated ultrasounds containing the name of the mother, laboratory test results, hospital/doctor paid bills, printed pictures of the mother pregnant, printed pictures of the mother and the baby immediately following the birth during the hospital stay, baby and mother´s hospital identification bracelets, crib card or discharge order.
In some cases DNA and Parental Blood Testing may be suggested. Instructions will be given at the U.S. Embassy.
Proof of relationship between parents such as time-stamped printed photos of the couple together before, during and after the pregnancy, printed photos of the U.S. citizen parent with the newborn baby, money transfer receipts, email printouts. Proof the couple was together at the time of conception, for example, passport with entry and exit stamps, etc. Photos must be printed since no electronic devices are allowed in the U. S. Embassy.
Both parents must appear with the child and sign the application.
If the U. S. citizen parent transmitting citizenship to the child is not present, the parent may complete the State Department Form DS-5507 “Affidavit of Parentage Physical Presence and Support” and submit it separately. The parent submitting the application should provide as much information as possible on the Form DS-5507.
Fee (can be paid at the U.S. Embassy)
- The cost of the Report of Birth is US $100, payable in cash, (U.S. dollars or Quetzales equivalent), or with a credit or debit card.
- CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED, NOR TORN, MARKED OR STAINED DOLLAR BILLS.
- If you are paying with cash, please bring exact change.
Upon presentation of satisfactory documentation to a consular officer and a determination that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America will be issued.
Appointments
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad are sent to the United States for printing, and take approximately fifteen business days to process. You will receive a pick up note indicating when the Consular Report of Birth Abroad will be ready to be picked up at the American Citizen Services Unit or a courier bill for the local delivery companies (optional service).
Your process will be delayed significantly if you are missing any of the requested documents.