Two Things You Need to Remember if Your Child Was Born Abroad
Imagine this. You are your spouse are abroad and visiting family, because you yourself are about to be starting your own family. Your plans of starting your family happen earlier than expected and you have your child out of country… The child is born safe and happy, but you are unsure how you will bring your new child back home without a passport or a way to show that they are also an American citizen…
Well, fortunately for you, if you are an American citizen, there are two things you need to remember if your child was born abroad and you need to prove their citizenship.
Step 1:)
You must immediately go the embassy or the consul and apply for a “Consular Report of Birth Abroad” also known as a CRBA. The CRBA form is easy to complete, but hard to replace (save this document). This document is proof of identification and of citizenship, but your child does not have the ability to travel with it…
Step 2:)
In order to travel with your child and bring them back into the United States, you will have to get your child a US passport from the US embassy.
Bonus Tip:)
If you apply for a passport, it is recommended that you also apply for a “Certificate of Citizenship”. This document looks similar to a naturalization certificate and can be used as identification. However, this document is completely different from a naturalization certificate since your child was born after you became a US Citizen. A Certificate of Citizenship proves you were born as a US citizen or derived from one.
If you or a loved one has any questions or concerns with a child who was born abroad by a US Citizen, contact dedicated New Jersey Immigration Lawyer Susan Scheer.
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This educational blog was brought to you by Susan Scheer, an experienced New Jersey Immigration Lawyer