For parents of children born abroad to U.S. citizens, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is the most straightforward way to establish U.S. citizenship. However, life can sometimes get in the way, and if your child has reached the age of 18 without a CRBA, you might wonder what your options are. The good news is that there are still ways to secure proof of U.S. citizenship for your now-adult child. This blog will walk you through three key options depending on whether your child is inside or outside the U.S.
If your child is living outside the U.S. and never received a CRBA, they can still apply for a U.S. passport at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. passport is official proof of U.S. citizenship and can often be obtained even without a CRBA, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
Steps to Apply:
Your adult child will need to make an appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence.
Your child will need to provide proof of their U.S. citizenship. This usually includes:
This is the U.S. passport application form that your child must submit.
Your child will attend an in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy, where a consular officer will review the documentation and assess eligibility for U.S. citizenship.
Once the application is submitted, the processing time can vary depending on the embassy, but your child should receive their passport within several weeks to a few months.
Illustration:
Imagine your daughter, now 20 years old, has been living in Canada with you and didn’t get a CRBA after birth. She’s planning to attend college in the U.S. and needs proof of citizenship. By applying for a U.S. passport at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, she can prove her citizenship and obtain a passport for travel and future purposes.
If your adult child is residing in the U.S. but never received a CRBA, they can still apply for a U.S. passport through a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility, such as a post office or courthouse.
Steps to Apply:
Similar to the embassy process, your child will need:
This is the same passport application form used for U.S. citizens applying for the first time.
Your child can submit the completed application and required documents at a local passport office or other approved locations.
Depending on the case, the passport agency may require an interview to verify the child’s citizenship claim.
After processing, your child will receive their U.S. passport, which serves as proof of their U.S. citizenship.
Illustration:
Your son, now 19, was born in Mexico but moved to the U.S. for school when he was 17. He needs to travel abroad but doesn’t have a U.S. passport. By applying at a passport office in Florida, he can provide the necessary proof of U.S. citizenship and get his passport in time for his trip.
If your adult child is already living in the U.S., another option for proving U.S. citizenship is applying for a Certificate of Citizenship. This is particularly useful if the child wants an official document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) certifying their citizenship status, beyond just a passport.
Steps to Apply:
This is the form used to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship. Your child will need to fill out this form, providing information about their parentage, their birth abroad, and the U.S. citizen parent’s residency.
These include:
Depending on the complexity of the case, USCIS may request an interview to review the documents and ask questions about the child’s citizenship status.
Once the application is approved, your child will receive a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS, which serves as legal proof of their U.S. citizenship.
Illustration:
Let’s say your daughter, now 22, was born in Germany and moved to the U.S. at 16. Though she didn’t get a CRBA as a child, she can now apply for a Certificate of Citizenship to officially demonstrate her U.S. citizenship. This can be crucial if she plans to work for the federal government or needs permanent legal proof of her status.
No, the way a child entered the U.S. or their immigration status does not affect their ability to prove U.S. citizenship through these methods. The key factor is whether the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth through one or both U.S. citizen parents. Whether the child entered the U.S. legally, overstayed a visa, or even entered without inspection, it does not impact their eligibility to apply for a U.S. passport or a Certificate of Citizenship.
A child’s method of entry or current immigration status has no bearing on their eligibility for a U.S. passport if they were born with U.S. citizenship through a parent. The application process focuses on proving that the child met the legal requirements for U.S. citizenship at birth, not their immigration history. Once citizenship is established, the child is entitled to a U.S. passport.
The child’s current immigration status also does not affect their eligibility for a Certificate of Citizenship if they were born a U.S. citizen. Whether the child is undocumented or overstayed a visa, the Certificate of Citizenship application is based solely on proving U.S. citizenship through the parent. As long as the child acquired citizenship at birth, their entry method or immigration status is irrelevant.
Illustration:
Let’s say your son entered the U.S. without inspection when he was 16 and has lived here undocumented. If his U.S. citizen parent met the requirements to transmit citizenship to him at birth, his immigration status does not matter when he applies for a U.S. passport or Certificate of Citizenship. The key factor is proving that he acquired U.S. citizenship through the parent.
Even if your child reaches adulthood without a CRBA, there are still viable ways to prove their U.S. citizenship. Whether they are applying for a U.S. passport abroad, within the U.S., or obtaining a Certificate of Citizenship, it’s important to gather the necessary documents and follow the appropriate steps. And remember, their immigration status or how they entered the U.S. will not affect their right to prove U.S. citizenship.
Contact Law Offices of Osas Iyamu, LLC today for Immigration guidance on securing proof of U.S. citizenship for your child.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Always consult with a qualified immigration attorney regarding your specific situation.