Birth of U.S. Citizen Abroad

Supporting Documents for the Application for a
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

All supporting documents presented with the application to meet the above requirements must be either original, or copies certified by the issuance authorities, bearing the official’s seal and signature.  Photocopies of documents certified by a Notary Public are not acceptable. An official written translation is required for any document issued in languages other than English or French.  All listed documents below are required with each application. 

I. Birth certificate of the child 
Certified copy of the child's official birth certificate issued by the government of Mali bearing the child's full name, date and place of birth, parents' information, filing and issue dates.  The certificate must bear the seal and signature of the official.  The birth certificate issued by the local civil registry is not acceptable.  An Extract of Birth or hospital records are not acceptable.  If the child's birth certificate shows a misspelled name, an explanatory affidavit from the parent must be presented regarding the correct name.  When a child's name has been changed by adoption or certain other legal action amending the child's name retroactive to birth, the new name may be recorded on the application when the legal action has been substantiated by an adoption decree or other documentary evidence. 

II. Evidence of U.S. citizenship of the parent(s) 
1.  If the U.S. citizen parent(s) acquired citizenship by birth, submit his/her current passport(s). 

If the child was born to only one U.S. citizen parent, and if: 

    (a) the parent's passport is not available; 
    (b) the parent's passport has expired before the child's birth; or 
    (c) the parent was never issued a U.S. passport,  then submit his/her U.S. birth certificate.

However, further evidence may be required to establish that the parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth. 

2. If the U.S. citizen parent(s) was NOT born in the U.S., besides the current passport(s), also submit one of the followings: 

    (a) Certificate of Naturalization (if citizenship acquired by naturalization); or 
    (b) Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Citizenship (if citizenship acquired by birth abroad to U.S.  citizen parent(s).

III. Marriage certificate
Parents' marriage certificate showing names of persons married, date and place of marriage, official performing marriage, and bears the official seal of issuing authority. Church records and local civil registry documents are not acceptable. If the parents are not married to each other, see the legitimation requirements.
 
IV. Previous marriages and evidence of termination 
If either parents were previously married, documentary evidence of termination of previous marriage must be submitted, such as: 

(a) divorce decree stating the parties being divorced, date and place of divorce, signature and official seal of state authority, e.g. local or state court; or
(b) death certificate showing the name of the deceased person, date and place of death, and bearing the signature and official seal of the issuance authority. 

Documents listed in items III and IV are required to be presented in order to complete the file for your child's Report of Birth, which will be retained in the Department of State.  If these documents are not available at the time of registration, the Report may still be completed provided the child's acquisition of citizenship is not dependent upon the event.   In all cases, however, it is necessary to provide exact dates of such events. 

V. Physical presence in United States of U.S. citizen parent(s) 
US citizen parents must meet residence in the US requirements under US laws governing the transmission of US citizenship to children born outside the US. For applicants born:
Between December 24, 1952 and November 14, 1986: U.S. citizen parent’s must have cumulative physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for ten years, five after the citizen parent’s 14th birthday and before the applicant’s birth.
On or after November 14, 1986: U.S. citizen parent’s must have cumulative physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for five years, two after the citizen parent’s 14th birthday and before the applicant’s birth.
Out of wedlock to U.S. citizen mother: U.S. citizen mother must have continuous physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possession for one year before the applicant’s birth. 

Evidence of physical presence in United States of U.S. citizen parent(s) prior to the child's birth (as listed in Items 12 and 13 of application) must be presented when requested by consular officer.

VI. Proof of parents' physical presence in the same location during the approximate time of the child's conception. 

• Old or current passports with entry/exit stamps
• Military orders, etc.
  
  NOTE: You may be asked to provide additional information/documents other than in the foregoing depending on the complexity of the citizenship case.

DNA TESTING
A DNA test may be required to establish affiliation in some citizenship cases. Consular Officers can provide specific information about the accredited laboratory in the Mali and about acceptable facilities in the United States.