How to apply for a CRBA and first U.S. passport for your child
To determine if your child is a U.S. citizen, a parent must execute an application for a “Consular Report of Birth Abroad” (CRBA) before a consular officer. You can find detailed information about acquisition of U.S. citizenship by a child born abroad, including physical presence requirements by visiting the Department of State’s webpage Birth of U.S. Citizens Abroad and webpage on Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship at Birth by a Child Born Abroad.
How do I Apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Passport in Denmark?
You are required to appear with your child in person at the U.S. Embassy to submit the application and supporting documents. You may only apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for children under the age of 18. Applicants aged 18 and over should schedule a passport appointment.
Documentation
Please go through the checklist below to make sure you bring all the required documents to your appointment.
Application Forms
- DS-2029 Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA): Click here to complete and print form DS-2029. Do NOT sign the form until you are asked to during your child’s appointment.
- DS-11 Application for a passport: Click here to complete Form DS-11 online. After you have answered the questions, Form DS-11 will generate as a PDF file. You must print the form. It cannot be submitted electronically. At “Mailing Address’ list your Danish address, even if it is only temporary. Do NOT sign the form until you are asked to sign during your child’s appointment.
- Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child’s passport. The best way to do that is for all parents/guardians to appear in person at the appointment. If one parent is unable to attend, they must provide a notarized Statement of Consent DS-3053, notarized no more than 90 days in advance of the interview. A Danish notary service is acceptable.
- For information on what evidence is required if only one parent/guardian is applying for the passport, please visit the Parental Consent Section on the Passport Page.
Passport Photo
Passport photo – 2” x 2” (5 x 5 cm) Visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html to find out about U.S. passport photograph requirements, including instructions, image size, tips for photographing children, and examples.
Birth Certificate
The child’s birth certificate: Danish/Swedish birth certificates stamped and signed by your local parish or municipality and two (2) photocopies. A printout from e-boks is not sufficient. The original birth certificate must have a stamp and signature from your parish or municipality office.
Proof of the parent(s) U.S. citizenship
- Original, valid U.S. passport and three (3) photocopies of the biographical data page (the page with the photograph). If the parent was naturalized as a U.S. citizen, please also bring the Certificate of Naturalization and three (3) photocopies.
- If one of the parents is not a U.S. citizen: their valid passport or other government issued photo ID plus two (2) photocopies.
Marriage Certificate if Parents are Married
- If the child’s parents are married: the original civil/legal marriage certificate and one (1) photocopy.
- If the child’s parents are not married, an original acknowledgment of paternity ”faderskabsattest” and one (1) photocopy.
- If either parent has ever been married in the past: the original divorce decree or death certificate for all previous marriages and one (1) photocopy.
Evidence of Physical Presence
U.S. citizen parent(s) must bring documentary evidence of their physical presence in the United States prior to the birth of the child and how they obtained U.S. citizenship prior to the birth of the child. Some examples of documentary evidence which may be considered to demonstrate the U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence can include but are not limited to:
- Wage and tax statements (W-2)
- Academic transcripts
- Employment records
- Rental receipts
- Records of honorable U.S. military service, employment with U.S. Government or certain intergovernmental international organizations; or as a dependent, unmarried child and member of the household of a parent in such service or employment (except where indicated).
- Passport stamps may be considered a part of the evidence submitted, but should not be the sole documentary evidence. Drivers’ licenses do not constitute evidence of physical presence.
- If you have other children who have been issued with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, this may be considered as supplemental evidence.
Please bring as much documentation as you have. A consular officer will determine if more evidence is required.
Social Security Statement
To apply for a passport for a minor child that does not have a Social Security Number, the U.S. citizen parent must submit a statement, signed and dated that includes the phrase, “I (name of parent), parent/guardian of (name of child applying) declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: My child has never been issued a Social Security number by the Social Security Administration.”
The Embassy will provide you with certified copies of the child’s new passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, and U.S. citizen parent’s passport to support your application for a social security number for the child. The application process then begins by contacting the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway
Delivery
Pre-paid self-addressed envelope if you want your new citizenship documents mailed back to you. IMPORTANT MAILING INSTRUCTIONS: Please purchase a pre-paid mailing label on the Post-Nord website: https://www.postnord.dk/en. Please select “Rek & Value Traceable” and pay 96 DKK for mail within Denmark. For mail to Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Sweden please select the appropriate country from the drop-down menu, then select “Rek & Value Traceable” and pay 132 DKK. Retain your tracking number. We are unable to mail to any other locations. Please do NOT use postage stamps on your envelope.
Alternatively, you can pick-up the CRBA and passport once they have been produced in the U.S. and mailed to the Embassy in Copenhagen. You will get a notice of this by email when the documents have arrived.
Application Fee:
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad fee is U.S.$100.
The passport fee is USD $135 for an applicant under the age of 16. If the applicant is 16 years old or older the fee is USD $165.
You will pay application fees at your appointment using DKK, USD or by credit card. Note that we can only process credit card payments if the card holder is available to sign the payment authorization slip.
Residents of Sweden
If your child was born in Sweden and you are applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad in Copenhagen, please note the following:
- You should follow the instructions listed on U.S. Embassy Sweden’s website.
- Pre-paid self-addressed envelope if you want your new citizenship documents mailed back to you. IMPORTANT MAILING INSTRUCTIONS: Please purchase a pre-paid mailing label on the Post-Nord website: https://www.postnord.dk/en. Please select “Rek & Value Traceable” and pay 96 DKK for mail within Denmark. For mail to Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Sweden please select the appropriate country from the drop-down menu, then select “Rek & Value Traceable” and pay 132 DKK. Retain your tracking number. We are unable to mail to any other locations. Please do NOT use postage stamps on your envelope.
- Please be aware that applying out of the country where your child was born may cause significant processing delays for your application.
Schedule an Appointment
Please click here to book an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=CPN&appcode=1
The U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen reserves the right to cancel your appointment if you do not have the required documents with you or to put your case in pending status until you bring the required documents.
Each applicant requiring a service must have a separate appointment.
If you have other children who need to renew their passports and you would like to do it at the same time as your CRBA appointment, please add a comment in your appointment so we are prepared to assist your family. Visit our passport page to be prepared with the required forms for the passport applications.
If you have urgent travel or an emergency and are unable to book an appointment, e-mail CopenhagenACS@state.gov to request an emergency appointment and include:
- The full name of each applicant, and the passport or citizenship service they require.
- The date, time, and point of departure of the overseas travel
Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child’s passport. The best way to do that is for all parents/guardians to appear in person at the appointment. · If one parent is unable to attend, they must provide a notarized Statement of Consent DS-3053, notarized no more than 90 days in advance of the interview. A Danish notary service is acceptable.
For information on what evidence is required if only one parent/guardian is applying for the passport, please visit the Parental Consent Section on the Passport Page.
IMPORTANT: According to U.S. law, U.S. citizens must enter the United States on a U.S. passport. Dual citizens may not enter the United States on the passport of their other nationality.
Please click here to book an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen Book an Appointment – U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Kingdom of Denmark (usembassy.gov)