CONSULAR REPORT OF BIRTH ABROAD (CRBA)

General Information

If your child was born in Serbia, but you or the other parent is an American citizen, your child may be an American citizen.  In order for your child to be registered as an American citizen, you need to document your child by going to the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy and applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).  A CRBA is not a birth certificate; it is an official record confirming that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and serves as proof of his or her citizenship.

CRBA Appointments

The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade requires scheduled appointments for all CRBA and passport services.

Applicants wishing to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad may make appointments through our Internet appointment system. 

NOTE: Please be advised that there is no fee or charge to make an appointment.

Applying for a CRBA

Parents seeking to obtain a CRBA for a child must be able to demonstrate to the interviewing consular officer that:

• At least one of the parents is a U.S. citizen;
• The child is the biological child of the U.S. citizen parent(s); and
• If only one of the parents is a U.S. citizen, the U.S. citizen parent was physically present in the United States prior to the birth of the child; if both parents are U.S. citizens, at least one of them must have resided in the United States prior to the child’s birth. The period of physical presence in the United States required to transmit citizenship to a child born abroad varies depending on the date of birth of the child and the marital status of the parents.

In preparation for your application, please download form DS-2029.

The application fee for a CRBA is $65.

In addition to the application form, the parent(s) must provide:

• Original or Certified Copy of the Serbian Birth Certificate, a provisional copy cannot be accepted.
• Proof of Parent’s Citizenship: Please show one of the following documents for one or both parents: US Passport (valid or expired); original U.S. birth certificate; or original Certificate of Naturalization.
• Proof of Both Parents' Identity: Driver’s license, State ID card, School ID, National ID Card, Passport.
• If only the child’s father is a US citizen, proof of parents’ relationship: If parents were married prior to the date of conception, please provide an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate and divorce decree (if applicable). If parents were not married at the time of conception, please provide proof of the existence of an on-going relationship at that time (personal letters and cards, dated photographs, telephone bills).
• If the parents are not married: Affidavit of Paternity and Support is required for an applicant born to an unmarried U.S. citizen father. 
• If only one parent is a US citizen, proof of that parent’s physical presence in the US prior to the child's birth: The parent must prove at least five years of physical presence in the US, at least two of which are after the age of fourteen. The period of physical presence need not be continuous. Presence must be proven with concrete evidence (school records, tax forms with W-2, earnings statement, pay receipts, passport stamps). Please note that if the child was born before Nov. 14, 1986, the parent must prove ten years physical presence, at least five after the age of fourteen. If both parents are US Citizens and married at the time of the child’s birth, and only one parent has visited the United States at least once, proof of physical presence is not required.

You are encouraged to consult with a consular officer to discuss these requirements and the required documentary evidence. 

We recommend that parents apply for their child’s U.S. passport along with the CRBA.  The standard passport requirements and fees apply to this service.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Citizenship determination is among the most complex services provided by the Embassy, and it is impossible to detail all potential cases in the space available.  The above is summarized information only to make applicants aware of the general nature of the documentary proof required. Consular staff may request additional information or documents not specifically mentioned above depending upon the case.

If you have any questions or concerns, we recommend that you contact the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit Monday - Friday 2:00 - 4:00. Emergency Services or Special Appointments: Please call the switchboard at +381 11 361 9344 and ask to be connected with American Citizen Services.

Additional information is available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/family/issues_birth.html.

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