Reports of Birth Abroad

Congratulations on your child's birth!

Your new baby needs a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (similar to a birth certificate), their first passport, and a Social Security number. On this page we'll tell you what you need to do to get all three items.

When Do I Need to Start?

It is important to start this process as soon as possible after your child is born. 

How Long Does it Take?

Once we have everything we need, processing time is normally about 15 days. However, because computers break and snow storms do occur please don't make any unchangeable travel plans until you have the new passport in hand. We'll mail the completed passport and Report of Birth to you. Please remember to have one parent sign the signature line of the new passport.

Let's Get Started...

All birth, adoption, marriage, death or divorce certificates must bear the original seal, stamp or signature of the Official Custodian of the document. Notarized copies, church records and uncertified photocopies are not official documents and may be invalid as primary evidence. All documents must be originals. With the exception of the hospital birth report, we will return the original documents to you the same day. All documents not in English must be translated.

Here is What You Will Need

Appointment

Make an appointment. All services are provided by appointment only. Appointments are made online.  Please click on the following link to reserve your appointment:   https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=IST&appcode=1

Personal Appearance by Your Child

Your child, even a newborn, must appear in person at our office at the time you make the application. There are no exceptions possible for this requirement.

Proof of Child's Birth

Please present your child's original hospital letter. For example, the original birth record given by the hospital.  This document should have the baby’s full name, birth date, full names of both parents, and other pertinent information.

 
Parent(s) Passports

The American Citizen parent must present his/her original U.S. passport and a photocopy of the bio page. Copies or Turkish ID (i.e. Kimliks) cards are not acceptable.  Non American citizen parents must present his/her original passport and a photocopy of the bio page.

Proof of Parents' Marriage

You'll need to bring along your official marriage certificate; again, originals only please. We will return the original document to you the same day. All documents not in English must be translated.  Please also provide a photocopy of the marriage certificate.

If your child was born out-of-wedlock, or within six months of your marriage, please follow this link for some additional information:  http://www.travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_5199.html.

Proof of Termination of All Prior Marriages of Parents

Please bring along official divorce or death certificates, originals only please. We will return the original document to you the same day. All documents not in English must be translated.

Evidence of U.S. Citizen Parent's Physical Presence in the U.S.

In some situations, how long one or both American parents lived in the U.S. can affect your child's acquisition of citizenship (follow this link to learn why http://www.travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_5199.html.

If one parent is an American Citizen and the other parent is not an American Citizen, you will need to complete the “Affidavit of Parentage, Physical Presence and Support” and bring with you to your appointment http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/126018.pdf (PDF 163KB). Please be prepared to submit evidence such as military records, original school transcripts, original employment letters, or original W-2s to demonstrate the parent’s period of physical presence in the U.S. 

Evidence of U.S. Citizen Parent's Physical Presence Together at Conception

In some situations, such as if your child was conceived out-of-wedlock, we may ask for evidence of the biological parents' physical presence at the time of conception. Such evidence might include passports, military travel orders, leases, etc. In some cases, we may need to request a blood or DNA test.

Application for a Consular Report of Birth (DS-2029) and Social Security Number (SSN) (SS-5-FS) 

You can download form DS-2029 (PDF file) to print out and complete by hand. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/156216.pdf (PDF 53KB)

The law on acquisition of American Citizenship varies if one or both biological parents are also Americans, and if the child is born in or out of wedlock. Follow this link to learn more about acquisition of American Citizenship. http://www.travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_5199.html

Once you receive the Report of Birth and passport, you are ready to apply for a Social Security Card on behalf of your child. Please submit the completed and signed social security number application form to the Consulate along with photocopies of your child's signed passport, signing parent's signed valid passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

You can download form SS-5-FS (PDF file) to print out and complete by hand. http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

Your child's Social Security card will be sent to you directly by the Social Security Administration. Please be advised that mail is slow and unreliable. In order to ensure the timely delivery your child’s Social Security card, please provide an address in the U.S. that the Social Security Administration can mail the card. This can be the address of a family member or a close friend. Please allow three to six months for the card to arrive.

Passport Application (DS-11)

 Please submit one copy of Form DS-11, available online. 

Two-Parent Consent for Passport Issuance

 All applicants under the age of 16 must meet the requirements listed in the Law on Passport Applications for Minors.   In most instances this means that both parents must sign your child's passport application, even if one parent is not an American. http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_4313.html 

Photo Requirements

 Unacceptable photos are the number one cause for delays in our processing Reports of Birth.

The photos must be 2" X 2" (5 cm X 5 cm) with a white background.

Please make sure your child's eyes are open in the photo. 

See the graphic image on the right hand side of the page as to what your photo should look like.  

The photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches with the face size as specified. Your browser may not display the graphic as the right size.

Fee

 The fees are U.S. $100.00 for the Consular Report of Birth and U.S. $105.00 for the passport, for a total of U.S. $205.00.

Payment options are as follows:

• Cash and Traveler’s Checks: We only accept U.S. Dollars as cash payment.  We also accept traveler’s checks. Turkish Liras or any other currency are not acceptable;
• Credit cards: We accept most U.S. and Turkish credit cards. You can use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Novus/Discovery, and Diners credit cards.
• Personal checks are not acceptable

 Some Additional Things

 Changing Facility

 The Consulate has a changing table located in the women’s restroom in the Consular waiting room.

How Do I Get Additional Copies of the Report of Birth

Additional copies of the Report of Birth are available from the Department of State only; no records are kept at the Consulate in İstanbul.

You can get the details here on obtaining copies of your child's Report of Birth. 

Can I Do This in the U.S.?

If your child was born abroad you will need to complete the Report of Birth process abroad; it can't be done in the U.S.

If your child was born in İstanbul then the processing must be done in İstanbul. While you can file the documents at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, that office is required to send them to us in İstanbul for processing. This will delay things, so it is best to complete this whole procedure while you are still in İstanbul.