Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) Checklist
□ Consular Report of Birth Application (DS-2029)
- Form DS-2029, Once completed, print it out single-sided and bring it to your interview.
- Handwrite any information that needs to be added or corrected after printing out the form.
- Applicants using the online CRBA application do not need to complete or print the Form DS-2029.
□ Passport application (DS-11)
- Form DS-11, Once completed, print it out single-sided and bring it to your interview.
- Enter “000-00-0000” for the social security number.
- If one parent is unable to appear in person, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html and review information under the Item 7.
□ Proof of child’s birth (original + 1 photocopy)
Birth Certificate (International format as per the Vienna Convention – can be obtained at Matični ured in any jurisdiction in Croatia) If the child is born outside of Croatia or the U.S. translation into English may be required. Note: As long as the document is an original, the date of issuance is irrelevant.
□ Parents’ marriage certificate (original + 1 photocopy)
- Croatian Marriage Certificate (International format as per the Vienna Convention – can be obtained at Matični ured in any jurisdiction in Croatia) if married in Croatia.
- If married in the United States: An original or certified copy of the marriage certificate issued by a city/county/state (church or “bride/groom” copies will not be accepted). Please make sure your certificate has a file date.
- If married in another country: An original or certified copy of the marriage certificate issued by the appropriate authorities in the country in which the marriage took place. Translation into English may be required.
□ Proof of termination of ALL prior marriages for both parents (original + 1 photocopy)
Documentation that shows the termination of a prior marriage can include the original of a death certificate or certified copies of divorce decrees. Divorce decrees must be issued by a court and include an embossed or wet seal. Photocopies sent from a lawyer may not be the original certified copy.
□ Evidence of parent’s U.S. citizenship (original + 1 photocopy)
- A full validity U.S. passport (currently valid or expired)
- U.S. birth certificate (should have parents’ names, a seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office – hospital birth certificates are not acceptable)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240/FS-1350)
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
□ Proof of relationship
If the parents were not married at the time of the child’s birth, bring evidence of the parents’ physical presence together at the time of the child’s conception (e.g., through passport stamps, military travel orders), as well as proof of their relationship prior to the child’s birth (e.g., through letters, photos, e-mails).
□ Both parents’ IDs (original + 1 photocopy)
- Following are acceptable proofs of ID:
- U.S. or Foreign passport (including a Croatian passport)
- U.S. or Croatian Driver’s License (with photo)
- U.S. Military ID
- State ID (with photo)
- Alien Resident Card (“Green Card”) from U.S. CIS
- U.S. Government ID
- Croatian Alien Resident Card
- For foreign national spouses, please bring passports or your Croatian ID card.
□ Application fee
- Click here for information on application fees.
- Applicants using the online CRBA application must make their payment for the CRBA online (but will pay for passport fees at the time of their interview).
□ Photo
Click here for information on passport photos.
□ One self-addressed envelope
Click here for information on the self-addressed envelopes.
□ Applying for a Social Security Number
Please note that an application for a Social Security Number can only be submitted after receiving the original Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Passport. To obtain a Social Security Number for your child, see further details on the US Embassy Greece Federal Benefits Unit’s webpage as they cover Croatia for all Social Security matters.
□ Requesting a name change
Some parents may wish to have the CRBA or passport reflect a different name from the one that appears on the child’s birth certificate.
For immaterial name changes (Some examples of immaterial name change include: transliteration, shortening your middle name to an acronym, adding a first or middle name, etc.), please prepare an affidavit/statement signed by both parents explaining your particular situation and why you wish to change the child’s name. Your affidavit/statement does not need to be notarized.
For other name changes, you may be required to provide an amended birth certificate reflecting the name change. If you cannot obtain an amended birth certificate, or if local vital records authorities will not amend the certificate, please prepare an affidavit/statement signed by both parents explaining the circumstances, accompanied by evidence that the vital records office cannot or will not issue an amended certificate. Additional information may be requested by the consular official.
Please note that some name change requests may not be acceptable due to government regulations. If you have questions, you can inquire at the time of your appointment.