INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSULAR REPORT OF BIRTH ABROAD

Before we can provide passport services for a child born abroad of American parent(s), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad must be prepared to establish the child’s claim to American citizenship.

A child born abroad, on or after November 14, 1986, 2:00p.m. EST, of one American and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth if the American parent has been physically present in the United States prior to the birth of the child for a minimum period of 5 (five) years, at least 2(two) of which were after the age of 14 (fourteen).

A child born abroad to two U.S. citizen parents receives U.S. citizenship at birth if one of the parents has resided in the United States or one of its outlying possessions before the birth of the child.

A child born abroad to an American citizen mother and out of wedlock acquires U.S. citizenship if the mother has been physically present in the United States prior to the birth of the child for a minimum period of one continuous year.

Appearance in person of both parents and child is required.

What documents are required?

1. Child’s birth certificate (International extract).

2. Parent’s marriage certificate (International extract) If married in the United States, please provide a state certificate issued by the civil authorities.

The birth and marriage certificates obtained in Macedonia should be in English.  This is available by requesting International extracts from the civil registry office (Maticna sluzba).

3. Evidence of American citizenship of the parent(s).

4. If either parent has previously been married, proof of termination of previous marriage(s), i.e. death certificate, divorce decree, etc.  If the document is not in English, it should be translated.

5. Evidence of the required residence in the United States, such as, employment letters, bank books, school records, pay checks, etc.

6. Mother’s pregnancy book (pregnancy records).

7. Discharge paper from the hospital.

8. Form DS-2029-Application for Consular Report of Birth. Please complete this form legibly and correctly. Instructions on how to complete this form are given on the reverse side of the form.  Please do not sign the form until instructed by the Consular Officer to do so.

9. Form SS-5-FS: This form is an application for a Social Security Number Card for your child if he/she is under the age of 5 at the time of application. Please ensure that it is accurately completed. Note: Do not sign the form until told to do so - it must be executed at the Embassy. This application will then be sent to the Social Security Administration for processing. You should receive the number in four or five month's time.

Note:  If you wish to return your original documents please present the originals together with photocopies. Upon examination, the originals will be returned to you.

Fees: The fee for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad is $65.00 or the equivalent in Macedonian denars.

Please complete the attached forms to enable us to prepare the Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

How do I apply for my child’s passport?

Both parents and the child need to be present at the Embassy to execute the passport application form. For proof of identity, both parents' passports are required. If the second parent is absent, the application must be accompanied by the absent parent's notarized written Statement of Consent  (DS-3035) authorizing passport issuance for the child. The statement should also include the child's name and date and place of birth.

What documents are required?

Passport Photographs: Please furnish two photographs that are:
• identical
• taken within the last 6 months
• printed on high quality photographic paper
• minimum size 50mm X 50 mm (2" X 2")
• facing completely forward (head not turned) without a head covering
• white background
• either black and white or color

Applicants should be aware that the Embassy will reject any photographs that do not conform to U.S. Passport standards, (i.e., photo too small, headsize too small, not identical, out of focus, dark background).

Note: Vending machine photographs are unacceptable.

A completed passport application form DS-11. Please complete all white sections of the form legibly and correctly. Please do not sign the form until instructed by the Consular Officer to do so.

Fees: The passport fee for a child under 16 years of age is $85.00 and for a child of 16-18 years is $100.00. The fee must be paid in cash, dollars or denars. Credit cards or checks are not acceptable. A child born to U.S. Military personnel may be entitled to a no-fee passport. Please check with your Personal Affairs Office on base.