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CONSULAR REPORT OF BIRTH ABROAD (CRBA)
Eligibility Requirements
How to Apply
Need Help?
Other Important Information

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 for a CRBA in Malaysia, your child must be under 18 years of age and must appear in person at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Generally, both parents must attend the interview. To see if your child may qualify for U.S. citizenship at birth see Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship at Birth by a Child Born Abroad and Birth of U.S. Citizens and Non-Citizen Nationals Abroad.

How to Apply (Online Application Process & Payment)

You can now apply for a CRBA electronically at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur! 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.

 

Create an Account

To apply for a CRBA online, you need to create a MyTravelGov account.  MyTravelGov is a secured, encrypted portal. Watch this video to learn more about creating your account. We recommend you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to access MyTravelGov. You can also use Safari on MacOS (iMac) but cannot use Safari on iOS (iPhone and iPad).

 

Complete the Online CRBA Application

Once you have created a MyTravelGov account you can access eCRBA and submit your application online. The online system 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.

Simultaneous application for a U.S. passport: If desired, you may also submit an application for a U.S. passport for your child during your in-person CRBA interview.  For information on required passport forms and fees, please visit our Passport page.  Please make sure you complete the required DS-11 application form and bring it with you to your CRBA interview.

 

Upload Required Documents

The eCRBA application will guide you through the process and will allow you to scan and upload documents as you go. You can scan, save, and upload documents in each section of the eCRBA application as a .jpg, .pdf, .png, and .jpeg files according to the eCRBA checklist. You must bring the original documents to the in-person interview where a consular officer will verify them.

 

Pay eCRBA Fee

As part of the eCRBA application, pay the $100 eCRBA application fee via the U.S. government’s secure payment site.  Upon submission of the electronic application payment, email a confirmation of online payment to KLCRBA@state.gov.

If you will also apply for your child’s first U.S. passport, you must pay the passport fee during your in-person appointment.

 

What to Expect Next

  • Once you send your payment confirmation to us via email (KLCRBA@state.gov), our American Citizens Services Unit will review your application and schedule an appointment.
  • ONLY the applicant child and both parents should be present at the interview. The applicant child must appear.  Minor siblings may accompany the family; however, this is not recommended as appointments can last 1-2 hours and the waiting area is small.
  • Bring your appointment confirmation email and valid government issued photo identification for both parents. For additional information about visiting the Embassy, please see: https://my.usembassy.gov/services/important-services-information/
  • Bring ALL original documents and one photocopy of each document. Original documents will be returned to you after reviewing your application. You must provide English translations for all foreign language documents with the exception of Malaysian birth certificates.

 

Processing and Delivery

You will be notified by email when your new Consular Report of Birth Abroad and new passport are ready for your collection. Processing times are generally around two weeks.

If you wish instead to have your new documents mailed to you, please review and follow the instructions on our One-Way Delivery Service webpage.

Applying for a Social Security Number

If you wish to apply for a Social Security Number for your child, please review the instructions   on the website of the Social Security Administration Federal Benefits Unit in Manila.

To obtain certified copies of your child’s CRBA, passport, and the parents’ passports, which are required to be submitted as part of the SSN application package, please wait for notification that your child’s CRBA and passport are ready for pick up. You may then schedule a notarial appointment. At your notarial appointment, notify consular staff that you need to collect your child’s CRBA and passport. Our staff will assist you with collecting these documents and simultaneously making the certified copies required for the SSN application. Please make sure to bring any other original documents to be certified to your appointment as well.

 

Need Help?

We are here to help!

 

Other Important Information

If you are unable to complete the online payment or submit an electronic CRBA (eCRBA) application, please email KLCRBA@state.gov for further guidance.