Possible Derivative Claim to U.S. Citizenship

If you were born outside the United States to one or both United States citizen parent(s), you might have a derivative claim to U.S. citizenship.

If your parent(s) had previously registered you as a United States citizen after your birth, one of the following documents would have been issued to you, and is evidence of your U.S. Citizenship.

1. Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form FS-240);
2. Certification of Birth Abroad (Form FS-545 or DS-1350);
3. Certificate of Citizenship;
4. Your name had been included on your U.S. citizen parent's passport before 1981.

If you believe one of the first three may have been issued to you, but are unable to locate it, you must obtain a certified copy from the Department of State or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (UCSIS) before you can apply for a U.S. Passport.

If the applicant is under the age of 18 years, and has never had any of the above documents issued, please refer to Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

If you are aged 18 years or above, and have never had any of the above documents issued please refer to Transmitting Citizenship to see if you have a possible derivative claim.

Once you have checked that qualify, please follow the instructions below and click on the links to download relevant forms.

Please disregard the instructions and addresses listed on the online version of the forms and submit your application in person at the Consulate General serving your area. Applications made via Sydney Consulate require you to make an appointment.

Completing the application

Please print out and submit only one-sided pages of the application. Please type or print legibly in black ink.

Please complete all sections except Section 16 on Form DS-11. You need to sign this in front of the Consular Officer.

Please be sure to complete all forms, and bring all required supporting documents and evidence in original format.

To be presented in person at the Consulate:

1. Completed (but not signed) passport application (Form DS-11). Please see notes on downloading forms.
2. Your Birth Certificate*
3. Evidence of Parent(s) U.S. Citizenship*
4. Evidence of U.S. Parent(s) physical presence*
5. If applicable — Parents’ marriage certificate*
6. If applicable — Evidence of termination of any previous marriages*
7. Your identification documents*
8. Affidavit of identifying witness* (if applicable)
9. If applicable — documentation to support name change or change of other descriptive data*
10. Affidavit of Physical Presence and Parentage*
11. Completed Application for Social Security Number (Form SS-5) (This is not mandatory, but is recommended. No extra fee applies).
12. Two (2) passport photographs. 5cm × 5cm. (Click here for a list of photographers)
13. Applicable Fee. (All fees are subject to change without notice)
14. (Optional) Pre-paid self-addressed Express Post Platinum or Registered Post envelope for return of your passports. If you do not provide an envelope, you must collect your passport in person from the Consulate General at which you applied.

*Please read information regarding supporting documents and Transmitting Citizenship carefully

Helpful hints for applications made via Sydney Consulate:

• Make an extra copy of all documents to leave with us or be prepared to pay USD 1 for each photocopy (If you are also applying for a Social Security Number, please make 2 copies of each supporting document);
• If you have followed all instructions you may now make an appointment. Please make sure you print your confirmation;
• Upon arrival on Level 10 at the U.S. Consulate Sydney show your appointment confirmation to the Security Guards.

Tips for a smooth consular visit

Last update: Thursday, 17 September 2009 GMT+1000