- Adoption
- Birth
- Obtaining a CRBA
- Transmitting Citizenship
Transmission of U.S. citizenship depends on:
- At least one parent having the nationality of the United States at the time of the child’s birth;
- The existence of a blood relationship between the child and U.S. citizen parent(s);
- Documentary evidence demonstrating the U.S. citizen parent(s)’ presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth, as specified in the Transmission Requirements Table below.
Examples of Documentation
Some examples of documentary evidence which may be considered to demonstrate that physical presence requirements have been met may include (but are not limited to):
- Wage and tax statements (W-2)
- Academic transcripts
- Employment records
- Rental receipts
- Records of honorable U.S. military service, employment with U.S. Government or certain intergovernmental international organizations; or as a dependent, unmarried child and member of the household of a parent in such service or employment (except where indicated).
- U.S. passport stamps may be considered a part of the evidence submitted, but should not be the sole documentary evidence. Drivers’ licenses do not constitute evidence of physical presence.
If you have other children who have been issued with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, this may be considered as supplemental evidence. Please also read important information regarding Supporting Documents.
Application requirements for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for a baby born in Botswana
If both parents were U.S. Citizens at the time of the child’s birth
- Both parents must be present at the Embassy with the child
- Parents must bring:
- The child’s original, long-form birth certificate
- Both parents’ passports
- Parents’ original marriage certificate
- Parents’ previous divorce decrees (if applicable)
- Evidence of the biological relationship between the U.S. citizen parent and the child
- Proof of at least one parent’s residence in the U.S.
If one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth
- Both parents must be present at the Embassy with the child
- Parents must bring:
- The child’s original birth certificate
- Both parents’ passports
- Parents’ original marriage certificate
- Parents’ previous divorce decrees (if applicable)
- The U.S. citizen parent’s evidence of 5 years physical presence in the U.S. (i.e. school or university transcripts, lease agreements, bank records) – two of the years must be after the age of 14
- Evidence of the biological relationship between the U.S. citizen parent and the child
If the child is born out of wedlock
The same documentary requirements and fees apply as for a child born in wedlock (see details above) with the addition of form DS-5507 Affidavit of Physical Presence. Additionally, a child born abroad to an unmarried U.S. citizen father may acquire U.S. citizenship provided that all of the following criteria are met:
- A blood relationship between the child and the father is established by clear and convincing evidence
- The father had the nationality of the United States at the time of the child’s birth and provides evidence of physical presence in the U.S. (5 years, two of which after the age of 14)
- The father (unless deceased) has agreed in writing to provide financial support for the person until the applicant reaches the age of 18 years
- While the child is under the age of 18 years, he/she is legitimated under the law of his/her residence or domicile, the father acknowledges paternity of the child in writing under oath, or the paternity of the child is established by a court.
A child born abroad to an unmarried U.S. citizen mother may acquire U.S. citizenship provided that
- The mother was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
- Evidence of the biological relationship between the U.S. citizen mother and the child.
- If the child was born on or before June 11, 2017, evidence that the mother had previously been physically present in the U.S. or one of its possessions for a continuous period of one year.
- If the child was born on or after June 12, 2017, evidence that the mother had previously been physically present in the U.S. or one of its possessions for a period of five years, two after the age of fourteen.
- For more information, see the travel.state.gov website here.
In ALL cases, additional evidence may be requested by the Consular Officer
