Reporting a Birth Abroad

Persons born abroad to U.S. parent[s] may have acquired citizenship at birth.  This determination is based upon a variety of facts:  the law in effect at the time of birth, the amount of time the American citizen parent[s] have lived in the U.S. prior to the birth, and, in some cases the marital status of the biological parents.
To apply for a Consular Report of Birth and U.S. Passport for the child the parents* must apply in person at the U.S. Embassy and bring:

1. Your child.
2. The completed application forms :  Consular Report of Birth Abroad DS-2029, Application for Social Security number  SS-5, and Passport Application Form DS-11.  DO NOT SIGN the forms.  You will sign in our presence.
3. Child’s Surinamese Birth Certificate.
4. Parents’ U.S./Alien passports.
5. Parents’ Marriage Certificate **.
6. Proof of termination of any previous marriages** [divorce or death certificates].
7. If only one parent is an American Citizen, that parent’s proof of 5 years physical presence in the U.S. [employment records, school transcripts, tax returns, etc.].
8. Two photos (5cm x 5cm on a white background).
9. The appropriate fee in U.S. Dollar cash ($146: $65 for Birth Report and $85 for U.S. Passport).

The following requirements apply:

• One of the parents must be a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
• If both parents are U.S. citizens at the time of the birth, the child is a U.S. citizen.
• For children born after November 14, 1986 to one U.S. citizen and one alien, the U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the United States for a total of 5 years before the child’s birth, two of which must have been after attaining 14 years of age.
• For children born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen father, the father must formally acknowledge parentage and agree to support the child through age 18 as well as fulfill the U.S. physical presence requirement stated above.
• For children born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother, the mother must have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of one year prior to the child’s birth.
• For children not covered in the above categories, please contact this office

*  Both parents should appear in person – if only one parent is present at the time of application, a written statement DS-3053 signed in the presence of a notary must be submitted, in which the absent parent agrees to the issuance of a passport.

**  All documents presented should be in the English language.