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Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a formal document certifying the acquisition of United States citizenship at birth for a person born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  United States non-citizen nationals are also eligible for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, using the non-citizen option.

CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday. We recommend that parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply, your child must have been born in Namibia and you must travel to Windhoek for the in-person interview.

To be eligible to apply for a CRBA online, you MUST answer all the following criteria with YES.

  1. Was the child born in Namibia?
  2. Is the child under the age of 18?
  3. Was at least one parent a U.S. citizen or U.S. non-citizen national when the child was born?
  4. Can you use an internationally accepted credit/debit card or a direct payment method from a U.S. dollar denominated bank account (also known as “ACH”) to pay online for your Consular Report of Birth Abroad application?
  5. Are you a biological parent of a child born abroad who is applying for that child?

If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you MUST apply by completing a paper application (DS-2029).

How to Apply

You can now apply for a CRBA electronically with the U.S. Embassy to Namibia.  This new online feature allows U.S. citizen parents to complete a CRBA application online, upload all required documents, and submit payment prior to the in-person interview.

 

 

  1. To apply for a CRBA online, you need to create a MyTravelGov account. MyTravelGov is a secured, encrypted portal. Watch this video or review this pamphlet to learn more about creating your account.
  2. Once you have created a MyTravelGov account you can access eCRBA and submit your application online. The easy-to-use online process provides applicants with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application. You may review the necessary documents for the CRBA application in advance by reviewing this checklist.
  3. Once you complete the online application and submit payment, you will then be directed to schedule your appointment at the United States Embassy in Namibia. Please schedule your appointment at least 72 hours after payment submission. This provides time for your payment to be processed prior to your CRBA interview. Please Note: Do NOT make another (or duplicate) payment for a CRBA (US$100) at the Embassy.
  4. Attend you scheduled in-person interview with your original documents and their photocopies (single-sided). Original documents will be returned to you after reviewing your application. You must provide English translations for all foreign language documents. The child must be present at the time of application. Generally, both parents also attend the interview.

Need Help?

We are here to help! For questions or concerns please contact ACSWindhoek@state.gov

Other Important Information

 FAQs

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) Checklist (PDF 94 KB)


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

My child was born in Namibia and is now in the United States

It is not possible to apply for a CRBA within the United States. If your child has not yet been documented as a U.S. citizen, click here to find out how to apply for a U.S. passport for your child in the U.S. Their claim to citizenship will be adjudicated as part of the passport application process.

My child was born in Namibia and is now in another country

Visit the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate to find out how to apply for a CRBA for them in that country.

If you believe that your child has a claim to U.S. citizenship after checking the transmission requirements, you should follow the instructions on this webpage to apply for a CRBA and first U.S. passport in Namibia.

After your child’s appointment in Namibia, we will forward the CRBA application to the embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your child’s birthplace. Therefore, processing will take longer than normal. You will be advised further during the appointment.

If your child is not eligible for citizenship, it may be possible to apply for expeditious naturalization for them under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. If your child is adopted, click here for additional information.

If the Child Citizenship Act does not apply to your child and they wish to reside in the United States indefinitely or permanently, they may be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa. Click here for more information.

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is official evidence of citizenship for children under the age of 18 born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent(s) who acquired citizenship at birth.

All U.S. citizens are required to enter and exit the U.S. using a valid U.S. passport. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you resolve your child’s claim to citizenship before your child’s first journey to the United States.

U.S. passports for children under the age of 16 must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.  Please sign your name on the line and print the child’s full name above the signature. Print the words “BY MOTHER” or “BY FATHER” next to your signature.

The Embassy does not keep copies of CRBA certificates on file. However, you may apply for a copy of a CRBA certificate through the Department of State in the United States. Click here to find out how.

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This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Namibia. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

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