If your baby is born in Singapore and at least one parent is a U.S. citizen, your child may be eligible to acquire U.S. citizenship at birth. One of the first steps after obtaining the Singapore birth certificate is to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) through the U.S. Embassy in Singapore.
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) is the official U.S. government record documenting that a child born outside the United States acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. Although it is not a U.S. birth certificate, it serves as proof of citizenship and can be used throughout your child’s life when applying for a U.S. passport and other government services.
Many families choose to apply for the following at the same appointment:
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
- First U.S. passport
- Social Security Number (through the Embassy)
U.S. Embassy Singapore
The U.S. Embassy is located at:
27 Napier RoadSingapore 258508
The Embassy now operates primarily by appointment only for American Citizen Services, including Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. Current appointment availability, office hours and application instructions should always be checked on the Embassy website before making arrangements.
Is My Child Eligible?
In general, a child born outside the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if:
- at least one parent was a U.S. citizen when the child was born;
- there is a biological or qualifying parent-child relationship; and
- the U.S. citizen parent meets the physical presence requirements established under U.S. immigration law.
For many families where one parent is a U.S. citizen and the other is not, the U.S. citizen parent must generally have been physically present in the United States for at least five years prior to the child’s birth, with at least two of those years occurring after the age of 14. Different rules apply depending on the date of birth and the parents’ citizenship circumstances. The Embassy will determine eligibility based on current U.S. law.
Applying for a CRBA
The process is now much simpler than in previous years.
Parents are encouraged to begin the application online through the U.S. Department of State’s electronic CRBA (eCRBA) system before scheduling an appointment. During the appointment, both the child and the appropriate parent(s) normally appear in person with the required original documents. (Travel.gov)
Applicants should prepare:
- Singapore birth certificate for the child
- Evidence of the U.S. citizen parent’s citizenship (such as a valid U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate)
- Passports or government-issued identification for both parents
- Parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Documents showing termination of any previous marriages, if relevant
- Evidence of the U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence in the United States (such as school records, tax records, employment records or previous passports)
- Passport photo for the child that meets current U.S. passport requirements
- Any additional documents requested by the Embassy
The Embassy may request further documentation depending on the family’s circumstances.
U.S. Passport
Most parents submit the child’s first U.S. passport application during the same appointment as the CRBA application.
The passport cannot be issued until the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship has been approved.
Current passport processing times vary, so families should avoid making international travel plans until the passport has been issued.
Social Security Number
Parents may also request a Social Security Number for their child as part of the overseas birth registration process. The Social Security card is processed in the United States and is generally mailed after the application has been completed. Processing times vary.
Replacing a Consular Report of Birth Abroad
The Consular Report of Birth Abroad is a permanent record of U.S. citizenship.
If it is ever lost or damaged, replacement copies can be requested from the U.S. Department of State’s Vital Records Office. Unlike the previous system, replacement copies are no longer obtained through the Embassy.
Singapore Birth Registration
Before applying for a CRBA, parents must first register the child’s birth in Singapore and obtain the official Singapore birth certificate. Birth registration is now administered through Singapore’s civil registration system rather than the former Registrar of Births office at Kallang Road, which is no longer used for this purpose.
Important Notes
Application requirements, fees and processing times are periodically updated by the U.S. Department of State. Families should always review the latest instructions from the U.S. Embassy in Singapore before attending their appointment.
Children remain eligible to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad until their 18th birthday, although it is strongly recommended that parents apply soon after the child’s birth.
