Checklist
(also available as a PDF)
In addition to the items listed here, the personal appearance by the applicant (the child) is required and both parents should appear if possible.
When applying for a CRBA/Passport you must schedule an appointment for each individual applicant.
FEES/FORMS/PHOTOS
- Non-Refundable Application Fee
The fee will be paid online via eCRBA if possible. If payment on eCRBA is not possible, you may pay on the day of the appointment at the Embassy/Consulate. The fee for a CRBA is $100. The fee for a child’s passport under 16 is $135; for those 16 and over, the fee is $165. Therefore, the total charge for children under 16 to apply for a CRBA and passport is $235. Once a child reaches the age of 18, he or she is no longer eligible to receive a CRBA certificate. The cashier at the Embassy/Consulate accepts cash (dollars or naira, but not a mix of both currencies) or a U.S. credit card.
- Photos of applicant
You will need one passport photo, 2in x 2in (5cm x 5cm), set against a white background for the child (eyes must be open). For photo instructions and samples, refer to http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/photoexamples/photoexamples_5300.html
- Application for a CRBA (DS-2029). You will follow the instructions in eCRBA to complete the DS-2029. If you cannot use eCRBA, download, fill out, and print Form DS-2029 at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds2029.PDF. You may also choose to complete the Form DS-5507 at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds5507.PDF if it would augment the information you are able to provide on the DS-2029. Complete all the applicable items, but do not sign these forms until you are asked to do so by the Consular Officer during your appointment at the Embassy/Consulate.
- If the parents were not married at the time of the child’s birth, the U.S. citizen father must complete all parts of Item 28, page 3 of the form DS-2029, or Part II on page 3 on the DS-5507.
- If the U.S. citizen parent is unable to appear in Nigeria, he or she may sign the forms in front of a Passport Specialist or Designated Acceptance Agent (for example, at a Passport Agency in the United States) and send the original forms to the parent in Nigeria to bring to the appointment.
- Nigerian notaries are not accepted for any of the forms.
- Please ensure that, for the “Physical Presence” section on page 2, you only include time that you were physically in U.S. territory. Each “From” entry should be a date you entered U.S. borders and each “To” entry should be the next time you exited U.S. borders, no matter how briefly.
PROOF OF IDENTITY AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP
- Original Birth Certificate
Please bring the original birth certificate and 1 photocopy. For children born in Nigeria, bring the National Population Commission (NPC) birth certificate. - Evidence of parent’s U.S. citizenship
The U.S. citizen parent must have been a citizen at the time of the child’s birth. Present proof of the parent’s U.S. citizenship, e.g., valid or expired U.S. Passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship. Bring the original and 1 photocopy. - Passport/Identification document for non-U.S. citizen parent
The non-U.S. citizen parent must bring her/his passport or 2 other forms of photo identification, such as a government-issued ID or Driver’s License. Please bring the original ID and 1 photocopy of each. - Photo identification and growing-up photos of child
If you are applying for a CRBA more than one year after the child’s birth, please bring photos of the child from birth to their current age—many photos taken at different times and places. Also, for school-aged children, please bring as many school records as possible.
PHYSICAL PRESENCE/RESIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES
- Evidence of physical presence in the United States/residence
If only one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth, that parent must bring proof of sufficient physical presence or residence in the United States before the birth in order to transmit citizenship. Physical presence in most cases must be at least five years, two of those years after the age of 14, all before the child was born. Documents that may establish your physical presence in the United States include school transcripts, old passports, a Military Statement of Service or DD-214 Separation Statement (military members only). Consular officers will also consider Social Security Statements from www.ssa.gov or CBP exit/entry records requested by the applicant from www.foia.gov. Bring the original documents and 1 photocopy of each. Page 2 of the DS-2029 must reflect specific periods of time in the United States.
LEGITIMATION/LEGAL RELATIONSHIP
- Parents’ marriage certificate, if applicable
Bring the original marriage certificate and 1 photocopy. For marriages conducted in Nigeria, provide the official marriage certificate from the marriage registrar. If the marriage was a traditional ceremony, please bring evidence of this marriage and the date.
- Other proof of parents’ relationship
Photos together over time, stamps in current and prior passports showing time spent together in any country. Applicants may also request CBP exit/entry records from www.FOIA.gov. These documents can also serve as a guide to the U.S. citizen parent in filling out page 2 of form DS-2029.
- Divorce and Annulment Decrees/Death Certificates, if applicable
The mother and/or father will need to show termination of all prior marriages. Bring the original death certificate or divorce decree/annulment and 1 photocopy of each document.
BLOOD RELATIONSHIP
- Prenatal records and/or other evidence of mother’s pregnancy
Medical records, ultrasound reports, birth report from hospital, and photos of the mother during pregnancy and after birth are all helpful to establish the biological relationship between the mother and child. Please bring original documents and photocopies. - Evidence of parents’ location at time of conception
Examples may include passports, flight records, entry/exit records, etc.
Important note about DNA testing
The Embassy DOES NOT accept private DNA tests taken in advance of the CRBA appointment. After the interview, if it is determined there is insufficient evidence of the biological relationship, DNA testing may be suggested, and specific instructions will be provided by the Consular Officer on only using the approved providers.
To apply for a passport (recommended), please also bring the following:
- Application for a U.S. Passport (DS-11)
Complete, but do not sign! For children under the age of 16, both parents/legal guardians are required to come in person. Complete the form at pptform.state.gov, hit the submit button, and then print it out and bring it with you to the appointment. - Proof of Parental Consent (if one or both parents listed on the Birth Certificate is/are not present)
If only one parent/guardian is present for the interview, the absent parent/guardian must sign a “Statement of Consent” (DS-3053) authorizing the issuance of a U.S. passport for children under the age of 16. Download this form at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds3053.PDF
The absent parent must sign the DS-3053 and get it notarized by a U.S. notary or at a U.S. embassy or consulate and send the original to the parent attending the interview, with 1 photocopy of the front and back side of the photo ID used during notarization. The Statement of Consent document is only valid for 90 days after the date of signature. Only original consents are accepted (no scanned or faxed copies).
Note: If one parent/guardian has sole custody, present the original document allowing sole authority to apply for the child’s passport, i.e., a court order specifying sole custody and termination of parental rights, death certificate, etc., and 1 copy.
Appointment Request
You should use eCRBA to create your case. Once you create your case, you should scan all your documents into the case. You can also pay the fees and schedule your appointment in eCRBA. However, if you are not able to use eCRBA, you can schedule your interview appointment here.