How do I declare my child?

If your child has a potential claim to U.S. citizenship, it will be necessary for the U.S. citizen parent to execute an application for a "Consular Report of Birth of an American Citizen Abroad" before a consular officer.  If your child is eligible for a Report of Birth, a passport can be obtained at the same time for an additional fee.  U.S. citizens can often transmit citizenship to their children born abroad, but the transmission requirements vary depending on when the child was born and the marital status of the U.S. citizen parent.  Please view our summary of transmission requirements.

How do I apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for my child?

Applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for your child requires only two separate interviews, if you are fully prepared.  To schedule your first interview, you must first prepare all the documents and evidence listed on the Consular Report of Birth checklist (PDF - 240 Kb).  Incomplete applications will result in delays and additional required appointments.

Once you have obtained all of the information, you can make an appointment for the first of the two required interviews.

All U.S. Citizen Services with the exception of Federal Benefits services and applications for adults over 18 applying for their first passport are provided at the Consular Agencies in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. For your convenience, we recommend that you use the Consular Agencies for services if they are closer to your geographical location. The Agencies tend to have shorter wait times and be less crowded.

If you would like to make an appointment at one of the Consular Agencies, please email Punta Cana Consular Agency or Puerto Plata Consular Agency.  If you experience technical difficulties or do not have access to internet, you may make your appointment by calling (809) 552-8990 for Punta Cana or calling telephone numbers (809) 586-8017, (809) 586-4204, (809) 586-8023 for Puerto Plata.

To make an appointment in Santo Domingo, please click on the following link to go directly to our online appointment system.

First Interview:

On the day of the interview, one parent or legal guardian should come to the consular section.  In Santo Domingo, please arrive approximately (15) fifteen minutes before the appointment time so that you are ready to clear security and enter the waiting area at your appointment time.  Appointments are subject to cancellation for applicants who arrive more than (15) fifteen minutes after their scheduled time.  The child does not need to attend this first interview.  It is very important that applicants be prepared to pay the $205.00 fee for the Report of Birth and passport applications prior to the interview.  Applicants who do not pay can not be interviewed and will have to reschedule  Please bring all the documents and evidence listed on the Checklist (PDF - 240 Kb).  Consular staff will review these documents.   You will then be told what additional documentation is required and be given a date for a second appointment.    

Second Interview:

For the second interview, both parents and the child must be present.  If the parent has authorized another individual to represent him/her per the notarized consent form, that person must be part of the interview.  Due to limited space in our waiting room, no one other than these individuals will be allowed entry to the consular building or consular agency. At the Consular Agencies, proceed to the interview windows. In Santo Domingo, after entering the consular building and proceeding to the U.S. Citizen Services lobby, you will be asked to present your copy of the payment receipt you were given after paying the fee at the first interview, and provide your appointment sheet and recent passport photos of the child.   A consular officer will then review your documents and interview you to determine whether your child qualifies for a Report of Birth.  If you are properly prepared and your child qualifies, the officer can approve the Report of Birth and passport application the same day.  You will be asked to pay the Domex office on our premises a fee for the delivery of the Report of Birth and passport.  These are usually prepared and dispatched within one month of your second interview.   

Please email inquiries to SDOAmericans@state.gov.