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Citizen Services

Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a United States Citizen
Revised October 2008

To process a child’s claim to U.S. citizenship, the U.S. parent must establish that s/he is the biological parent, present proof of sufficient physical presence in the U.S., and present evidence to confirm the child’s identity.  In certain cases, the Consular Officer may require additional documentation, and the applicant has 90 days to submit it.  After the 90-day period if the applicant has not responded, the application will be considered abandoned and will be sent to the U.S. Department of State.

WARNING: False statements made knowingly and willfully in passport applications or affidavits or other supporting documents are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under the provisions of 18 USC 1001 and/or 18 USC 1542.

If you apply at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa:

  1. An appointment will be required to submit the application.  To schedule an appointment, you must contact the American Citizen Services Unit by e-mail at usahonduras@state.gov, by fax at the number (504) 238-4357 or by phone at (504) 236-9320, extension 4400, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  Appointments will be scheduled Monday through Thursday in the afternoon only.
  2. Certificates will be issued in two weeks.  They may be picked up at the Consular Section from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or received by Cargo Expreso.
If you apply at the Consular Agency in San Pedro Sula: 
  • Applications may be submitted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • All applications accepted in San Pedro Sula are adjudicated at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa and, if approved, they will be returned by Cargo Expreso in approximately four weeks.
  • The Consular Officer may require a personal interview at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa.

The following documents should be presented at the time of the application; all foreign language documents must be translated, at least in summary.

  1. Honduran Birth Certificate in Literal Form (see sample) (PDF - 9Mb).  We do not accept the green and white fill-in-the-blank type of birth certificates normally issued by the Registro Nacional de las Personas (RNP), as they do not contain complete information.  This certificate must be an original.
  2. Parents’ Marriage Certificate.  This certificate must be an original.  Certified copies are accepted if issued in the U.S.
  3. Evidence of Dissolution of Previous Marriages.  If applicable, divorce decrees or death certificates from any prior marriages of either parent should be presented.  These certificates should be originals.  Certified copies are only accepted if issued in the U.S.
  4. Evidence of Parents' U.S. Citizenship.  U.S. passport.
  5. Proof of Identification of the Non-U.S. Parent.  I.D. card or passport.
  6. Proof of Biological Parentage.  In order to transmit citizenship to your child, you must prove the blood relationship between yourself and the child for whom you are applying.  In order to do so, you may wish to submit the following documentation:
    • Pre-natal and post-natal family photos that include the mother, father and child.
    • Pre-natal medical records.
    • DNA testing, if you are otherwise unable to prove biological parentage.  (Request more information from the Consular Section).
  7. Child's Identification.  Photos, school diplomas, previous passports, or any other documentation that bears the child’s name and photo.  Must be original.
  8. Passport Photos.  Three photos size 2"x 2" on a white background.  Instant photos are not acceptable.
  9. Fees.  The fee is US$65 for the report of birth.  If you choose to apply for the passport as well, the fee is an additional US$85.  Fees may be paid in U.S. dollars or the equivalent in Lempiras.  Exact change is required.  Credit cards are accepted only at the U.S. Embassy.  Personal checks are not acceptable.  Fees are non-refundable.
  10. Proof of Physical Presence in the United States.  The Immigration and Nationality Act specifies that in order to transmit citizenship to a child, the U.S. citizen parent must have been physically present in the United States for a specific amount of time prior to the child’s birth.
    • If both parents are U.S. citizens:  one of the parents needs to present proof that he/she had a residence in the United States or its outlying possessions before the child's birth.  No specific period of residence is required.
    • If the American citizen mother was a single mother at the time of her child’s birth: she needs to present proof of physical presence in the United States for one continuous year at some point prior to the child’s birth.
    • If only one of the parents is an American citizen:
      • and the child was born before November 14, 1986: the American citizen would have to present proof that s/he was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than ten years prior to the child’s birth, at least five of which were after the age of fourteen.
      • and the child was born after November 14, 1986: the American citizen would have to present proof that s/he was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years prior to the child’s birth, at least two of which were after the age of fourteen.

As proof of physical presence you may submit: A Consular Report of Birth Abroad previously issued to a sibling of the child in question, high school transcripts, college or university transcripts, employment letters, 1040 Income Tax forms along with the W-2 form, military records and Certificates of Naturalization (except for seamen).

If you were a seaman prior to your child's birth: You must understand that only the time spent in U.S. coastal waters are counted as physical presence in the United States.  Any other time spent in foreign or coastwise waters are not counted as physical presence in the United States.  Therefore, you must submit your seaman's discharge records in order to account for the time spent in coastal waters.

The following documents are NOT considered sufficient proof of Physical Presence in the United States: 1040 Income tax forms without the W-2, Social Security earning statements, driver's licenses, or bank statements.  You do not need to be physically present in the United States for a specific amount of time in order to report, file or obtain these documents.

  11.  Application Forms.  Please use black ink.
  • Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form DS-2029) (PDF - 285Kb) Do not use abbreviations when writing out months (see instruction sheet attached).
  • Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence Form (PDF - 58Kb) For applicants who were unmarried at the time of the birth of the child, the U.S. citizen parent must fill out an Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence Form.  On this form, the parent(s) must detail dates and places where s/he has resided or visited since the day s/he (the parent) was born, indicating purpose of trips, vacations, residence, business, studies, U.S. military service, etc.  This form is divided into two main sections:
    • the upper portion asks for all the times that you have been physically present in the United States since the day of your own birth.  Continue on a separate sheet, if necessary.
    • the lower portion asks for all the times that you have been physically present abroad (anywhere outside the United States) since the day of your own birth.  Continue on a separate sheet, if necessary.
  • Passport Application.  Do not sign the application prior to the interview with a Consular Officer.  The Consular Officer will notarize your signature at the time of the interview.
  • Registration Card.  This form should bear the child's name and data.

 12.  Child and Both Parents should be present.  When filing a Report of Birth application both parents and the child should be present.

If the U.S. citizen parent is unable to be present because s/he is outside of Honduras: the other parent and child must be present at the Consulate to complete the DS-2029 application form.

If the U.S. citizen parent has passed away: the original death certificate of that parent must be submitted.

Please note: The presence of the child along with the presence of one of the parents cannot be waived under any circumstance.

 
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