Registering a Child
The American parents of a child born in China should report the birth to the Embassy or a Consulate General. The Embassy will issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and a U.S. passport, which will be needed for the child to depart China. The Report of Birth Abroad may be used as a birth certificate for school, work, or other purposes.
The application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad includes an application for a social security number. The number will be mailed to you approximately four months after registration.
Original documents must be presented with the applications. An affidavit acknowledging at least one parent meets the physical presence in the United States requirement for transmitting citizenship to the child must be filled out as part of the application. All original documents will be reviewed by a consular officer and returned to the applicant. Please bring the following:
An original child's Chinese birth certificate
Proof of applicant's identity - some form of photo identification card or record (generally not required for newborns)
Applicant's parents' passports, or other proof of their citizenship and identity
Original marriage certificate or certified copy of marriage certificate of child's parents
Evidence of physical presence in the U.S. if only one parent is an American citizen. Details please see below .
The baby/child must appear in person with the parents
Physical Presence
This is the actual time when the parent was physically within the borders of the United States. This means that any travel outside the United States, including vacation, should be excluded. Maintaining a residence in the U.S. does not constitute physical presence. Note: Any periods of time spent overseas with the United States Military/Government or qualifying international organization (such as the United Nations) may be computed as physical presence in the United States for transmission of citizenship purposes. Time spent as a dependent of such person may also be computed as physical presence. Military records or other proof may be requested.
Children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may have a claim to U.S. citizenship. The following is a brief description of the various circumstances under which a child born abroad acquires American citizenship.
Child born in wedlock to two U.S. citizens: A child born outside of the United States or its outlying possessions to two U.S. citizen parents is entitled to citizenship, provided one of the parents had, prior to the birth of the child, been resident in the United States or one of its outlying possessions. (No specific period of time is required.)
Child born in wedlock to one U.S. citizen parent and one non U.S. citizen parent on or after November 14, 1986: A child born outside of the United States to one U.S. citizen parent and one non-U.S. citizen parent may be entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. citizen parent had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after s/he reached the age of fourteen. This period of physical presence must have taken place prior to the birth of the child.
Child born in wedlock to one U.S. citizen parent and one non-U.S. Citizen parent between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986: A child born outside of the United States to one U.S. Citizen parent and one non-U.S. Citizen parent, may be entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. Citizen parent had, prior to the birth of the child, been physically present in the United States for a period of ten years, at least five years of which were after s/he reached the age of fourteen.
Child born out of wedlock to a U.S. Citizen mother: A child born outside of the United States and out of wedlock to a U.S. Citizen mother is entitled to U.S. citizenship providing the U.S. Citizen mother had been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least one year at some time prior to the birth of her child. (NOTE: The U.S. citizen mother must have lived continuously for 1 year IN THE UNITED STATES OR ITS OUTLYING POSSESSIONS. Periods spent overseas with the U.S. government/military or as a government/military dependent, may NOT be computed as physical presence in the U.S.).
Child born out of wedlock to a U.S. Citizen father: A child born outside of the United States to an U.S. Citizen father where there is no marriage to the non-American mother is entitled to U.S. Citizenship providing the American citizen father had been physically present in the United States for the period of time as specified in previous paragraphs for children born in wedlock to one U.S. Citizen and one non-U.S. Citizen parent, either before or after November 14, 1986; and
- the alien mother completes an "Affidavit to establish paternity of child" at this office before a consular officer; and
- the father signs a sworn statement agreeing to provide financial support for the child until s/he reaches the age of 18 years; and
- the father provides a written statement acknowledging paternity; or
- the child is legitimated under local law; or
- paternity is established by a competent court before the child attains the age of 18 years;
Additional Instruction:
In cases where the American citizenship of a child is to be established, consular officers may require other documentation before a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or passport can be issued. The consular officer will inform you of what documents may still be required.
These documents should not be mailed to the Consular Section. They should be presented in person at the time an application is filed at the Embassy/Consulate which has jurisdiction over the applicant's place of birth or current place of residence. There is a fee of USD85 for issuance of a passport and USD65 for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad. (Payment can be also paid in RMB).
Please note, as soon as a U.S. passport is Issued, the baby's parents must apply for a Chinese visa to ensure that they don't have problems leaving the country. If the baby was born in Beijing, please contact:
The Exit and Entry Administration of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau
No.2 Andingmen Dongdajie
Dongcheng District, Beijing
Tel: 8402-0101
Website: www.bjgaj.gov.cn/epolice/index.htm
If born elsewhere, contact the exit and entry administration office of the local Public Security Bureau.
More information is available at the Department of State's website at travel.state.gov.
If you have any questions feel free to email us, or call (010) 6532-3431.
Important Notices
Report of Birth
