US citizens giving birth in Vietnam should report the baby's birth to the US Embassy/Consulate as soon as possible. This will help the child can be issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). When applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, parents can apply for the US Passport for their child following the regulations.
>> Track for more Specific information about CRBA
Table of Contents
What is the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is the certificate of US citizenship for children who are born abroad (if parents meet the legal requirements about transforming the child’s citizenship contain to the procedure of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)).
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad is NOT the birth certificate because it is issued by the local authority where the child was born. However, the US government agency still accepts this report as proof of the US citizenship of the child. Therefore, parents can use this paper to apply for the US passport for their child following to the regulation.
>> The information below will help you to know about the condition as well as the application form to have a Report of Birth:
Conditions to apply for the CRBA
If a US citizen gives birth to a child in Vietnam or has a baby with a Vietnamese in Vietnam, the child will grant US nationality. However, parents must be eligible. Detail:
- One of the parents must have the US citizenship at the time of giving birth to a child;
- Parents (who have the US citizenship) must have blood relation with the child.
- Paper proof that the parents used to live in the US before giving birth to a child (such as Social Security Returns, Income and Tax Returns, Rent Receipts, etc).
>> Parents need to know clearly about the necessary papers which can prove the time living in the US. Contact [+84] 1900 6654 for the support!
Documents applying for the CRBA
Below is the list of necessary papers to apply for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (as well as the US passport - if any):
- The form of the Consular Report of Birth Abroad - Form DS-2029;
- Child’s birth certificate;
- Proof of parents’ US citizenship;
- Passport or ID card from parents who are not American citizen;
- Marriage certificate (if any);
- Divorce/Annulment/Death Certificate (if any);
- Proof of residency in the United States;
- Proof that both parents are present in Vietnam (or in another country);
- Proof of the baby's birth and antenatal care book;
- Proof of name change (if any)
If you want to have the US passport at the same time with Consular Report of Birth Abroad, add the below papers:
- The form of the US passport online - Form DS-11;
- A photo 5x5cm - taken in the last 6 months;
- Absentee parent consent form - Form DS-3053;
- Social Security number confirmation (or affidavit stating if you do not already issue)
The list of papers above is for reference. Depending on each case, the Consular Officer might require you to add other papers.
Contact [+84] 1900 6654 - [+84] 906 736 788 to get specific instructions!
Where to submit the application form
In Vietnam, you can apply for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad at:
- The US embassy in Hanoi: Rose Garden Building, 2nd Floor, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Ba Dinh District.
- The US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City: No. 4 Le Duan Street, District 1.
In case the child was born in another country, the Consular offices in Vietnam will transfer the application form to the US Embassy/ Consulate General in that country.
Fees for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- The fee for CRBA: 100 US dollars
- The fee for the US passport (granted to a child under 16 years old): 135 US dollars
- The fee for the US passport (granted to a child 16 years old and above): 165 US dollars.
You can pay by cash (VND or US dollars) or use credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Diners Club).
>> The fees above exclude other fees: Notarized translation, Photo printing of papers, etc. If you want to know more about the detailed and accurate total cost, please contact [+84] 1900 6654 - [+84] 906 736 788.
Agency supports to apply for CRBA and US passport in Vietnam
One of the popular reasons when applying for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad is that many US citizens don’t collect enough required papers. This is also the reason why the Consular Officer cancels the interview and the applicants must set another (time waiting to set the appointment is from 1-2 weeks after the applicant sent the requirement). Because of this, the time to conduct the procedure will be longer than usual.
Another reason is that not all children who have US parents are eligible to be issued US citizenship.
From there, to save “time and cost” parents should research clearly all the conditions of the US immigration department about the required papers. If you want to apply for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Us passport, US Birth Certificate, US citizenship or use services (such as US Immigrant, Visa, Dual Citizenship, Booking flight, etc), leave your information at the email: info@nhigia.vn or contact the hotline [+84] 1900 6654 - [+84] 906 736 788.
>> US visa experts with nearly 20 years of experience will directly advise and support you due to specific cases!
Q&A
Can I apply for the Social Security Number in Vietnam?
From October 1, 2017, the US Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate General in HCMC does NOT continue to support Social Security Number service (SSN). Unless the Social Security Administration assigns, the US Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate General in HCMC do NOT receive any application forms (for children under 12 years old).
However, parents can apply for the Social Security Number when the child is in the US or contact the Federal Welfare Office SSA in the Philippines to apply for the SSN. (Notice: the required papers must be notarized at the US Embassy in HCMC).
When can I submit the application form?
Parents should report the birth of their child to the Embassy or Consulate General as soon as possible. This will be the formal documentation that the child is a naturalized US citizen. This will serve as formal documentation confirming the kid is a citizen of the US via descent. Before the child is 18 years old, parents should request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
Notice: Children who are eligible to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad will NOT be granted an immigrant visa or a nonimmigrant visa to the United States. The child's parents need to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and a U.S. passport in order for the child to enter the United States.
Can children over 18 years old apply for the CRBA?
If the child is over 18 years old and has not been issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, parents can apply for US citizenship for dependents according to regulations.
Do Parents and their children need present in the interview?
Parents or legal guardians and the children must be present in the interview.
*The U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in Vietnam only accepts applications for Consular Birth Certificates Abroad by appointment. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment for security screening. If the applicant arrives more than 30 minutes late for the appointment, another appointment will be required.
