CONSULAR REPORT OF BIRTH ABROAD

CRBA and US PASSPORT APPLICATION TIMELINE

A US Citizen parent/s with baby born abroad must report his/her birth to the nearest US Consulate to transmit citizenship.

Complying the CRBA and US Passport Application for our child was easy, as long as all papers needed were on hand.

Check US Embassy-Ph website for the CRBA's complete instructions and needed documents.

October 15, 2015 Application sent. Once sent, we just waited for them to receive it and email us our appointment date. And After four days…

October 19, 2015 Received an email for the date and time of our appointment. Yes, it was that quick. Although they couldn't give us the date we requested due to an event. It was still an appointment.

December 1, 2015 Appointment and interview day. Brought all the original papers that was on the checklist, including the proofs. If you're planning to bring a DIY scrapbook for this. Maybe make it about an inch thick, enough to go through the small window for the consular officer to check. Mine was about 7" x 5" x 3/4". There are fees to pay, during our time it was $100 for the CRBA and $105 for the US Passport. Some just skip the US Passport. But in my opinion, since you're already there doing the CRBA, why not do the passport at the same time. You know, two birds with one stone. With regards to our interview, the questions are: --- Was the dad present during the delivery? --- When was his last visit? --- How many times has he visited before and after conception? --- Any future plans? Overall, it went well except that they asked for my previous passport that I did not bring. I didn't know they will need it. Anyway, after the interview, we flew back to the province.

December 5, 2015 Sent my old passport to us embassy. Phew! I thought I lost it.

January 7, 2015 - CRBA and US Passport status: ready for delivery.

January 11, 2015 Picked it up at Air21. :) And they sent my old passport back.

So, just about three months of process. Maybe if not for the APEC week and the December/January holidays, this process would have been shorter. But, it's good that we're done with the process. Other case scenario, some applicants were asked to undergo DNA testing. That I have no idea how to get.

OPTIONAL: After we've acquired the CRBA and US passport, most parents next in their to-do list is to get their child a Philippine passport. We did the same. Why? So, when we leave the Philippines, they will not ask for an exit clearance. Exit clearance costs a lot depending on the age of the child. Unlike getting a Philippine passport , all we needed to do was set an appointment with the DFA, comply the required documents, pay the fee, bring baby for picture-taking. And voila! Got his passport after two weeks.