How to Get a U.S. Birth Certificate if Born Abroad or on a Military Base
If you were born abroad and at least one of your parents was American, you can apply for and receive a U.S. passport. However, obtaining a U.S. Birth Certificate for Americans Born Abroad requires a different process. However, even if you’ve lived in the United States for most or all of your life, your birth outside the United States, even on a military base, means you don’t have a standard U.S. birth certificate. Instead, your vital records will include one of several types of documents. These documents depend on whether your parents were with a military base, how they registered your birth, and whether you were born to American citizens or adopted. To order a U.S. Birth Certificate for Americans Born Abroad, you can request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Find out the basic steps to request a replacement birth certificate online or through the mail, including what forms to submit besides DS-1350, so you can use it as proof of citizenship or identity.
Who Qualifies for a U.S. Birth Certificate if Born Abroad?
U.S. citizens born abroad do not receive a standard U.S. birth certificate. Instead, their birth is documented through a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or FS-240 form. If your parents were U.S. citizens at the time of your birth and registered you with the U.S. consulate or embassy, you are eligible to obtain a CRBA as proof of U.S. citizenship.
Requesting Your Consular Report of Birth Abroad
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad means you were born abroad or at a U.S. military base outside of the United States and your parents registered your birth with the local consulate. If your parents are living, you can ask if they registered your birth.
For those born before December 2010, your Consular Report of Birth Abroad will be a form FS-240 or DS-1350. However, if your child was born after 2010, you will have a form FS-240.
Because the Department of State maintains all registered records of birth abroad, you can request your replacement birth certificate online or through the mail. You need the following information to replace your birth certificate:
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Your full name at birth.
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Any adoptive names.
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Your date and place of birth.
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Your passport information including date of issue, date of expiration, and passport number if available.
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A valid photo ID such as a state-issued driver’s license, photo ID, military ID, passport, veterans’ affairs ID, or prison ID. Or, an expired photo ID with two secondary proofs of identification. For example, utility bills or bank statements with your full name, included with the signed statement: “I declare that I do not have a valid state or government issued photo ID and I am presenting two additional documents.”
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Full names of parents or legal guardians. In case of adoption or guardianship, a copy of the court order granting guardianship.
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The serial number of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad where available.
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Address and contact number.
How to Apply for a U.S. Birth Certificate if Born Abroad or on a Military Base
To request your birth certificate as a U.S. citizen born abroad, follow these steps:
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Complete the Request Form – Fill out the DS-1350 or FS-240 request form available on the U.S. Department of State website.
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Gather Required Documents – Ensure you have valid identification, proof of birth, and any supporting documentation.
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Notarize Your Application – Your request must be signed and notarized to confirm identity and prevent fraud.
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Submit the Application and Payment – Mail the completed form, supporting documents, and a $50 processing fee to the U.S. Department of State at:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Processing typically takes 4-8 weeks, though times may vary based on demand.
FS-240, DS-1350 & CRBA: Understanding U.S. Birth Certificates for Citizens Born Abroad
These documents serve as proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals born abroad:
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Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or FS-240): Issued by the U.S. Department of State to document the birth of a U.S. citizen abroad.
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DS-1350: A discontinued document, but still valid for individuals who obtained one before it was phased out.
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U.S. Passport: While a passport alone is not a birth certificate, it serves as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity.
What to Do If You Don’t Have a CRBA or FS-240?
If your parents didn’t register your birth abroad, it may be more difficult to obtain certified birth records. However, you may still be able to document your U.S. citizenship through:
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Hospital Birth Records – Contact the hospital where you were born for birth records.
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Military Base Records – If you were born on a U.S. military base, contact the base’s public affairs office.
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Parental Naturalization Records – If your parents became naturalized U.S. citizens, you may qualify for derivative citizenship.
What If I Was Adopted? Can I Get a U.S. Birth Certificate?
If you were born abroad and later adopted by a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to obtain a U.S. birth certificate by completing the adoption process. Steps include:
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Obtain a copy of your original foreign birth certificate from the country where you were born.
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Secure an official English translation and certification of the birth certificate.
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Complete U.S. adoption procedures and submit documentation proving citizenship through adoption.
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Apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (if applicable).
Can I Request a U.S. Birth Certificate for My Child Born Overseas?
Yes, you can request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child if they were born overseas. This document serves as an official birth certificate equivalent. Parents must:
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Register the child’s birth at the U.S. consulate or embassy in the country of birth.
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Provide proof of U.S. citizenship and legal parentage.
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Apply for a CRBA and passport for the child.
Additional Resources
For official guidance and request forms, refer to the following: