Documents & evidence

CRBA + passport — core checklist

What to bring to U.S. Embassy Manila for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad filed with the child’s first passport. Always confirm against the embassy’s current citizenship checklist, which is updated periodically.

• Child’s original PSA birth certificate — on PSA security paper (not a Local Civil Registrar copy).
• Parents’ PSA marriage certificate — if the parents are married.
• Evidence of the U.S.-citizen parent’s citizenship — U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a prior CRBA.
• Evidence of the U.S.-citizen parent’s physical presence before the birth (see the next section — this is critical).
• Two valid IDs for the parent(s) — passport, driver’s license, UMID, National ID, etc.
• Passport photo of the child — 2×2 in (5×5 cm), white background, taken within 6 months. Bring two.
• Completed eCRBA (DS-2029) via MyTravelGov, plus Form DS-11 for the child’s passport.
• DS-5507 — if a parent cannot attend, or for out-of-wedlock cases.
• Prior marriage termination documents — divorce/annulment decree or death certificate, if either parent was married before.
• Fees — $100 CRBA + $100 child passport + a local peso courier fee.

Proving the U.S.-citizen parent’s physical presence

This is the make-or-break evidence. You are documenting that the U.S.-citizen parent was physically in the U.S. for the required years (generally 5 years, 2 after age 14). Aim to cover the full span with overlapping records from more than one source.

Strongest evidence

• Official school transcripts & diplomas — report cards, high-school and college transcripts. Often the single most effective proof because they pin down dated, continuous years.
• Employment records — W-2 forms, pay stubs, employer verification letters.
• Tax records — IRS tax-return transcripts or filed returns.
• Social Security earnings statement — year-by-year U.S. earnings (request via a my Social Security account or Form SSA-7050).
• Military service records — DD-214 and service records (strong, dated proof).

Supporting / secondary evidence

• U.S. passports (current and expired) with entry/exit stamps; old airline tickets.
• CBP travel history — I-94 entry/exit records.
• Residence records — leases, mortgages, deeds, utility bills, U.S. medical/vaccination records.
• Letters from churches, unions, or organizations; affidavits from people with personal knowledge (these carry the least weight — use only to supplement).

Sources: USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 12, Pt. H, Ch. 3 · State Dept. CRBA physical-presence guidance.

Philippine (PSA) civil documents

The embassy requires PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) copies on security paper — not Local Civil Registrar (LCR) copies, which are routinely rejected.

Sources: PSA — Negative result / no record · PSAHelpline — delayed registration.

Out-of-wedlock — extra evidence

The items below apply when the parents were not married and the U.S. citizen is the father (INA 309(a)) — all to be completed before the child turns 18. If the U.S. citizen is the mother (INA 309(c)), none of these are required — only her physical-presence evidence and the child’s birth record. See both variants →

• Father named on the PSA birth certificate and/or an affidavit of acknowledgment of paternity (AUSF).
• Form DS-5507 — Affidavit of Parentage, Physical Presence, and Support, signed by the father.
• Father’s written agreement to support the child until age 18.
• Legitimation evidence — e.g., the parents’ subsequent marriage certificate, a sworn acknowledgment, or a court paternity order.
• Relationship evidence around the birth — prenatal/ultrasound records, photos, communications, money transfers.
• DNA test — only if the consular officer requests it (see the DNA process). Never self-order one.

Form N-600 — evidence to submit

For a Certificate of Citizenship through USCIS, the N-600 instructions call for documents on both the child and the U.S.-citizen parent:

Source: USCIS — Form N-600 Instructions.

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