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REGISTERING A CHILD

If your child has a claim to U.S. citizenship, it is necessary for the U.S. citizen parent to execute an application for a “Consular Report of Birth Abroad”, before a consular officer.

How do I Register a Child?

You are required to register your child in person and bring your child to this Embassy. We recommend that you register your child as soon as possible after his/her birth. It is not possible to register a child over the age of 18.   

You may contact the American Citizens Services to make an appointment by phone : 011 (592) 225-4900 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Monday through Friday; by fax: 011 (592) 225-8497 or by email: acsgeorge@state.gov

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP BY A CHILD BORN ABROAD

A child born outside of the United States acquires U.S. citizenship at birth when the child meets the transmission requirements as follows:

Birth Abroad to Two U.S. Citizen Parents in Wedlock: A child born abroad to two U.S. citizen parents acquires U.S. citizenship at birth, provided that one of the citizen parents has resided in the U.S. or a U.S. possession prior to the child's birth as indicated in Section 301(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. (INA).

Birth Abroad to One Citizen and Alien Parent in Wedlock: A child born abroad to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under Section 301 (g) of the INA, provided the U.S. citizen parent was physically present in the U.S. prior to the birth of the child for the time period required by the law applicable at the time of the child's birth. For birth on or after November 14, 1986, a period of five years physical presence, two of which come after the age of fourteen, is required. For birth between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, the parent must have resided in the U.S. for a period of ten years, five of which must have been after the age of fourteen. Acceptable written documentation of physical presence includes school transcripts, academic records, evidence of employment, tax records…At least one natural parent of the child must have been a U.S. citizen when the child was born.  The only exception is for a child born after the death of the parent.

Birth Abroad Out-of-Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Father: A child born abroad out-of-wedlock to a U.S. citizen father may acquire U.S. citizenship under Section 301(g) and 309 (a) of the INA provided:

  • a blood relationship between the child and the father is established by clear and convincing evidence;
  • the father must have had the nationality of the United States at the time of the child's birth;
  • the father had been physically present in the United States for a period of five years, two of which were after the age of fourteen;
  • while the person is under age of 18 years -

a. the father submits recognition of child born out of wedlock under the law of their residence or domicile,

b. the father (unless deceased) must submit a notarized Affidavit of Paternity and Financial Support or

c. the paternity of the applicant is established by adjudication court.

Birth Abroad Out-of-Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Mother: A child born abroad out-of-wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother may acquire U.S. citizenship under Section 301(g) and 309 (c) of the INA if the mother was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child's birth, and if the mother had previously been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of one year.