Documenting the U.S. citizenship of a child born outside the U.S.It's called a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and it's filed at a U.S. embassy or consulate. There's a hard deadline: before the child turns 18; past that age the route is no longer this one but Form N-600 with USCIS. But what really decides the case isn't the process, it's an underlying requirement almost nobody knows about until they hit it: the U.S. citizen parent has to PROVE they…Check the deadline: before age 18A CRBA is only available while the child is under 18. If they've passed that age, this route is closed and you must use Form N-600 with USCIS, which is longer and more expensive. If your child is young, do it soon: the required evidence becomes harder to gather over the years, and the State…Gather the physical presence evidence — this decides everythingThis is the heart of the process and where most cases fail. The U.S. citizen parent must prove they were physically present in the United States for five years before the child's birth, with at least two of those years after turning 14. Useful documents: school records, old passports with stamps,…Gather the remaining documentsYou need the child's birth certificate from the country of birth in full version; proof of the parent's U.S. citizenship (passport, certificate, or naturalization certificate); proof of the biological relationship; both parents' IDs; and marriage certificates. One thing people forget: if there were…Complete the DS-2029 and book a consular appointmentThe application is Form DS-2029, largely completed online before the appointment. A key detail: page 2 must list the exact periods the parent was in the United States, and officers take this literally. The appointment is booked with the relevant embassy or consulate; the child must attend.Attend the appointment and take the chance for the passportAt the same appointment you normally apply for the child's first U.S. passport. Bringing photos ready and both fees prepared saves you a second trip. If the consulate requests additional evidence, a 90-day clock starts: if it expires, the case is closed and you must pay the fee again. That's why it…Receive the FS-240 certificateThe outcome is the FS-240 certificate, documenting that your child is a U.S. citizen from birth. Processing usually takes around six to eight weeks after the appointment, though it varies by consulate. Keep that document: it is your child's lifelong proof of citizenship.