U.S. Citizen Services in Germany

Passports, Reports of Birth and Renunciations

Reports of Birth Abroad

First-time Issuances:

First-time Report of Birth Abroad Application Process

Replacements:

Replacement Report of Birth Abroad

First-time Report of Birth Abroad

If your child has a potential claim to U.S. citizenship, it will be necessary for the U.S. citizen parent to execute an application for a “Consular Report of Birth Abroad” before a consular officer. Both parents must accompany the child to the Consulate. You may also apply for your child’s first passport and social security card when you report your child’s birth.

The following documents are required

Please print out and complete the CRBA Checklist (pdf) and bring it with you to your appointment

□ Completed “Application for Consular Report of Birth” (Form DS-2029 -pdf). DO NOT SIGN!

How to complete form DS-2029 (pdf)

□ Completed Form DS 11 (pdf), Passport Application.

DO NOT SIGN!
For children under age 16, the presence of the child and both parents is normally required at the time of application. Unequivocal consent to passport issuance is demonstrated by the parents signing the application form in front of a Consular Officer.
If there are special circumstances and both parents cannot submit the application together, for example if one parent is not present in country, the absent parent’s English language, notarized Statement of Consent, not older than 90 days, must be submitted.
If a parent has sole custody, an original or court certified copy of the custody order granting sole custody must be submitted with the application. If one parent is deceased, the death certificate should be submitted.

□ Completed Form SS-5 (pdf) Application for a Social Security Number – signed by the U.S. citizen parent.

□ Child’s German Birth Certificate – “Beglaubigte Abschrift/Ausdruck aus dem Geburtenregister”

This is the German Birth Certificate, issued by local authorities on request. This document must show the biological parents’ names. There are other short form birth certificates (Geburtsurkunde) which are not acceptable for documenting your child as a US citizen. If you are unsure which certificate you have, please ask the Standesamt where it was issued if you have the “Beglaubigte Abschrift/Ausdruck aus dem Geburtenregister”.
PLEASE NOTE: Children born before January 1, 2009 may have been issued an “Abstammungsurkunde”. All Abstammungsurkunden issued before January 1, 2009 are also acceptable.

□ Parents’ marriage certificate

Original certificate issued by local, state, or national government authorities. If your marriage certificate is in a language other than German or English, a certified translation must be provided. The original certificate must be presented along with any translation. Original certificate and one photocopy.

□ Divorce Decrees/Death Certificates, if applicable

It will be necessary to show termination of all prior marriages for both parents. Please bring certified translations, if appropriate.

□ Evidence of parent’s US citizenship

The U.S. citizen parent must present his/her U.S. passport. If the U.S. citizen parent was naturalized he/she must bring the original Certificate of Naturalization in addition to the passport. Original document and photocopies.

□ If the parents are not married

Affidavit of Paternity and Support (pdf) is required for an applicant born to an unmarried U.S. citizen father. DO NOT SIGN!

□ Evidence of physical presence

The U.S. citizen parent must bring proof of living in the United States. Primary evidence documents that may establish your physical presence in the U.S. before the child’s birth include: Transcripts from High School and/or College, Wage Statements, DD214 Separation Statement (Military Members only). Secondary evidence include: Credit Card Bills, Utility bills, Tax forms, Airline ticket stubs, Former/Current Passport with stamps. Original document and photocopies.

□ Passport/Identification document for non-U.S. Citizen Parent

A non-U.S. citizen parent must bring his/her passport or other photo identification document, and one photocopy of it.

□ Application Fee

See our Fees and Forms of Payment

□ Photos

Two identical passport photographs are required.

See our Photo requirements

The cost of photos is €6 in coins.

Passport photos can also be taken at the Consulate.

□ Self-addressed envelope

Please bring a self-addressed, return envelope with postage to cover registered mail (€3.60), to fit unfolded A4 papers. Address it to a parent.