AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES

Documenting American Citizens

Guide for Completing CRBA Section of Application

Items 1-15 below are annotated instructions which appear on the reverse of the report of birth application.  This application should be completed by the parent or legal guardian and may be separated from the SSN application and mailed out if desired (see 1445.4-1).

1. Enter the name of the child as it is recorded on the local birth record. Translations of foreign names are acceptable. If a parent reporting the birth claims that the local birth record shows an erroneous given name, the correct given name may be used on the application when the parent reporting the birth provides an explanatory affidavit.

When a child's name has been changed by adoption (see sections 1444.3 and 1445.5-4) or by other court action, the new name may be recorded on the application only if it is substantiated by an adoption decree or other documentary evidence of the court action.   If a parent requests a different surname than the one appearing on the birth record, consult Section 1445.5-4.

2. Check (X) on box to indicate whether male or female.

3. Write the month in full; e.g., September 1, 1982. Do not abbreviate.

4. Strike out either A.M. or P.M. and enter the conventional local time as shown on the birth certificate, e.g. 3:00 P.M. (do not show 15:00 hours). If the time of birth is not shown on the local record, enter the time as given by the parent. If the time is not known, enter the words “Not Known”.

Enter only the name of the city, state, or province (if applicable) and country, not the name of the hospital.

6. Enter only the names of the parents in accordance with 7 FAM 1445.4-1 and 1325. Include maiden name of the mother.

7. Write the month in full;  e.g. October 14, 1957. Do not abbreviate.

8. Enter only the city, state and country.

9. Use address current at the time the application is executed.

10. Enter either the address at which parents will be residing or receiving mail upon arrival or return to the United States, or the last address in the United States. The address should be written out in every instance. Do not write “Same” or Same as Husband”.

11. List type of document, document number, date and place of issuance and name of individual as recorded on document (if different than item 6). If the citizenship evidence of the U.S. citizen parent is not presented, write “None”. If parent is an alien, show nationality.

12. Write actual physical presence in the United States prior to child’s birth in exact detail. Do not include periods that will be mentioned in item 3. Vacation trips abroad, schooling in foreign countries, and any other brief absences cannot be counted as physical presence in the United States. Documentary evidence of the claimed physical presence is required. For acquisition under Section 301(c) INA, the notation N/A my be written for one parent (preferably the one not signing the form) when the block for the other parent shows sufficient U.S. physical presence to transmit citizenship under this section of law.

13. This section needs to be complete only if acquisition of citizenship is dependent upon these periods. Official written evidence from the appropriate governmental department or international organization must be presented to support any critical periods shown. If acquisition is not dependent upon these periods, N/A may be entered.

14. List all marriages prior to the birth of the child or prior to the marriage of the child’s parents, whichever is appropriate, in the following manner: Date of marriage, manner of termination, date of termination. If parents had no previous marriages, write “None”. Do not include name of previous spouse. (See NOTE in item 15).

15. Show date and place of marriage of child’s parents. If parents are not married to each other, type “Not married” in the space. Note: Parents may be permitted to list events in items 14 and 15 for which they are not presenting supporting documentary evidence provided the child’s citizenship is not dependent upon the event.

Please be aware that by listing the fact of marriage, no finding or judgment is intended as to the ultimate validity of that marriage. For example, in some instances a marriage which serves to confer legitimacy upon a child may not be valid as between the two parents. Parents who have questions as to the legal validity of a marriage should consult a local attorney or other competent authority in the pertinent jurisdiction.

16. The informant must swear to or affirm the truthfulness of the statements in the application before a consular officer, diplomatic officer, certain U.S. military officers, notary public, or local official qualified to administer the oath.

The typed name and signature should be informant’s present legal name; the name by which the informant is known and identified in the community. One United States citizen parent, preferably the mother, should sign, if available. State capacity in which signing, for example: Mary Black, mother. The official who administers the oath affixes the seal or stamp of office, signs the application and enters title of office, location and date. If the application is not executed before a consular or diplomatic officer, forward it immediately to the Foreign Service post having consular jurisdiction.

17. This information is to be completed at the post exercising consular jurisdiction over the place of birth. List all birth, marriage, death, or divorce documents, giving name and date. Attach certified true copies of those documents or the originals, if appropriate, to the application. If the documents are not presently available but were previously submitted in connection with consular report of birth for other children, they should be noted by listing the name, date, and place of birth of the subject of the previous report of  birth and the place where the report was completed. In establishing physical presence, identify the nature of the documentation presented; e.g., New York school records. All foreign language documents must be translated, at least in summary, by the consular office. The section of law under which citizenship is acquired should not be cited.

18. If the application is approved, initial the approval line and enter the required data in this block.

Guide for completing SSN Card Section of Application

These instructions are for the consular officer. Do not photocopy and distribute to the requester. Once the initial screening has been completed and it is determined that the combined application should be used (see 1445.4-1 b.), complete page 1 according to established procedures. Then assist the parent or legal guardian in completing the SSN part of the combined application (page 2 of the FS-579/SS-5). Be sure that the entries are printed or typed using black or blue ink; do not use pencil. Also, check that all entries, including the carboned items from page 1, are complete and legible. Do not mail the SSN application to the parent for completion.

Most of the questions are self-explanatory. Those that need further explanation are discussed below.

1. Show the child’s  full name as it is to appear on the SSN card.

6. Do not complete the FCI block. This is for SSA use only.

7. Show the father's full first, middle and last name. Show the mother's full first and middle name and maiden name (surname at her birth).

8. This should always be answered "NO". If the child has ever received an SSN card, this combined process and application should not be used.

9. Show the child's full name at birth if it is different from the name in Item 1.

10. Show the address to which the SSN card should be mailed.

11. This information is important to SSA for statistical purposes. If the parent or legal guardian refuses to answer it, an SSN card can still be issued.

13. If the parent cannot write the signature, have the parent sign with an "X" mark. The consular official will sign below the mark as witness.

17. Be sure this block showing "Serial number, Date issued, Approved by and F.S. Post" is complete, as this is proof of the child's U.S. citizenship and identity. Do not enter information in the CSP part of this block. This is for SSA use only.

As explained in 7FAM 533.5, an applicant must submit evidence of the child's age, identity and citizenship. Completion of Item 17 ("Serial No., Date Issued, Approved By, F.S. Post" block) of the SSN application (page 2 of the FS-579/SS-5) by the appropriate consular officer can serve as evidence of the child's U.S. citizenship and identity. However, an additional document is required as evidence of the child's age (such as a foreign birth certificate).

In addition, anyone applying for an SSN card for a child must be a proper applicant and submit evidence of identity.

All documents submitted to SSA must be properly certified photocopies (See 7FAM 533.4).

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