How to apply for citizen for US children born abroad in the USA

[britinusa 0]

How do you register children born in the Uk to US citizens now that we live in the USA. We didn't realize that we had to do this.

[Mark88 183]

You can't. Either travel outside the US and apply at a consulate, or just apply for a passport when you are in the US. The child can't receive a CRBA in the US. This only works abroad.

[britinusa 0]

thank you for your reply Mark, thats what I thought but when I applied for a US passport and they told me I had to get a CRBA from the UK. I have downloaded the forms to fill out but not sure what to do with them, one of the passport agencies wanted $600 for just the forms.

[Mark88 183]

DOS passport agency or one of those private ones?

[ch3john 308]

Out of curiosity, how did the child enter the US without a US Passport?

How old is the child now?

[Mark88 183]

Out of curiosity, how did the child enter the US without a US Passport?

How old is the child now?

Good question(s). I didn't consider this. You'll have to provide this info first.

[britinusa 0]

sorry forgot to mention, we have british citizenship too, they entered in on the british passport, they are 1 1/2 and 4 years old

[Mark88 183]

sorry forgot to mention, we have british citizenship too, they entered in on the british passport, they are 1 1/2 and 4 years old

You are probaly in a bind. By law, a USC must enter on a US passport. In theory, your children are here illegally, since they overstayed their visa/esta. This is something DOS might only be able to clear up.

Be prepared to travel abroad since the CRBA might be necessary in your case. At the minimum you might have to pay a fine.

[Shauneg 762]

sorry forgot to mention, we have british citizenship too, they entered in on the british passport, they are 1 1/2 and 4 years old

I believe the minute they entered the U.Saturday. they automatically became a citizen, not sure how to clear up the muck about entering on a British passport. It was obviously accidental but illegal...

[Mark88 183]

I believe the minute they entered the U.Saturday. they automatically became a citizen, not sure how to clear up the muck about entering on a British passport. It was obviously accidental but illegal...

Your information is wrong. Derivative citizenship only works when entering the US on a IR/CR visa. They entered proably with esta.

[britinusa 0]

yes they did enter on an esta visa, we were thinking they would automatically become US citizen since both parents are, but not the case I guess. They did not enter illegally as they have a british passport. but I guess could be illegal now.

[belinda63 3,033]

They are automatically USCs. You are correct about this BUT you have no proof of it. Just as my daughter who was born in Germany has an EU and German birth certificate is a USC because her parents were USC where is the proof. That is where the CRBA comes into play. Right now legally your children are UK citizens who have overstayed their ESTA. How to fix from inside the US...I don't know.

[Shauneg 762]

Got it. Work backwards and apply for a U.S. passport....you have all the evidence needed....you won't need a CRBA. After you receive that apply for the naturalization certificate.

[ch3john 308]

Got it. Work backwards and apply for a U.S. passport....you have all the evidence needed....you won't need a CRBA. After you receive that apply for the naturalization certificate.

If only it were that easy.......

OP already stated they applied for passports but were told they need CRBA's from UK

[britinusa 0]

no one has any idea what should be done, Passport office in USA say call US embassy in Uk, There has to be a solution besides having to go back to the USA but then I guess some of the fees these people are asking it might be cheaper