Form FS-240

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Form FS-240

Last Updated on: April 21, 2026

Last updated April 2026

Form FS-240: The Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Proof of U.S. Citizenship

When a child is born to U.S. citizen parents living outside the country, the parent(s) must register their birth abroad with the U.S. embassy or consulate in that country. The embassy or consulate will then issue the child Form FS 240 instead of a standard U.S. birth certificate. This form is more commonly known as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). Form FS 240 is an essential vital record that serves as official proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship, establishing that the child is a natural-born U.S. citizen despite being born in a foreign country. This document is equivalent in legal status to a U.S. birth certificate for establishing citizenship.

Historical Context of Birth Abroad Documentation

The Form FS 240 is the current standard for documenting births of U.S. citizens abroad. Previously, the State Department issued forms FS 545 and DS 1350 to American children born abroad. However, in 2011 these documents were officially replaced by Form FS 240. If you have an older child born abroad and still possess a FS 545 or DS 1350, that document remains valid and does not need to be replaced unless you lose it.

What Can a Child Do With Form FS 240?

A child born abroad to U.S. citizens needs Form FS 240 to establish their citizenship and access various rights and benefits:

Apply for an American passport for international travel
Obtain a U.S. visa (if needed for any reason)
Get a Social Security number
Attend U.S. schools and universities
Reside and work legally in the U.S.
Serve in the U.S. military
Access federal student aid and other government benefits
Establish citizenship for future children born to them

How to Register for Form FS 240 (Initial Application)

If you are an American citizen and have recently had or will soon have a child outside the country, you must register their birth with your local U.S. embassy or consulate. It’s important to register your child’s foreign birth and get a Form FS 240 as soon as possible after the birth. This will ensure that your child’s American citizenship is formally recognized and officially documented.

Application Requirements

To apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child, you will need to:

Complete the appropriate application form:
- Form DS 2029 – If both parents are U.S. citizens or the mother is a U.S. citizen
- Form DS 5507 – If the child was born out of wedlock and only the father is a U.S. citizen
Provide the child’s foreign-issued birth certificate (translated to English, if necessary, by a certified translator)
Submit two 2″ x 2″ color photographs of the child (recent and meeting passport photo standards)
Provide proof of the parents’ U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or earlier consular report)
Submit proof that parents resided in the U.S. for the required length of time (residency requirements vary by specific citizenship circumstances)
Provide both parents’ current government-issued photo IDs
Submit medical records and hospital records from the pregnancy and birth
Provide proof of a relationship between the parents (marriage certificate if married; if unmarried, documentation of the relationship)
Include any additional documentation required by your specific embassy or consulate

You must submit the completed application and all required documents to your local U.S. embassy or consulate. Embassy staff will review the application, verify all documents, and conduct any necessary interviews. When they have approved your application, they will issue the CRBA (Form FS 240) for your child.

How to Get a Replacement Form FS 240

If you have lost your Form FS 240, need additional copies, or need to replace a damaged document, replacement applications are processed differently than initial registrations. In order to apply for a replacement Form FS 240, you must be either:

The person on record and over 18 years of age
The parent or legal guardian of the person on record (if the person is under 18)
Have written, notarized authorization to apply on behalf of the person on record

Replacement Application Process

To request a replacement Form FS 240, you will need to provide a notarized, written request that contains the person on record’s essential information:

Birth name (as it appears on the original FS 240)
Adoptive names or name changes (if applicable)
Place and date of birth
Current passport information (if available)
Parents’ or legal guardians’ full names
Original FS 240 serial number (if known)
Your current contact information and mailing address

The notarized request must be signed by the authorized applicant. If you are the person on record’s legal guardian, you must include a certified copy of the guardianship court order.

Mail the notarized request and required documents, along with payment for the processing fees (typically $50-$75) and an acceptable government-issued form of photo ID (copy), to:

U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records
Section 44132 Mercure Circle
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213

Processing times for replacement requests typically take 4-6 weeks from receipt of your application. You can also apply for a replacement in person at any U.S. passport acceptance facility or embassy/consulate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Form FS 240 the same as a U.S. birth certificate?

Form FS 240 serves the same legal purpose as a U.S. birth certificate for establishing citizenship. However, it’s issued by the State Department rather than a state vital records office. For most purposes, it’s accepted as equivalent proof of citizenship and U.S. birth for legal documents.

How long does it take to get a Form FS 240?

Processing times vary by embassy or consulate, but typically range from 4-8 weeks from application submission. Some embassies may take longer depending on workload and the completeness of your application.

Can my child born abroad get a U.S. passport with Form FS 240?

Yes, Form FS 240 can be used to apply for a U.S. passport. Once you have the CRBA, you can apply for a passport at the same embassy or consulate or at any passport acceptance facility in the United States.

What if I can’t find the original FS 240?

You can request a replacement by contacting the U.S. Department of State Passport Vital Records office. You’ll need to provide information about the original registration and submit the replacement application process as described above.

Do I need Form FS 240 if my child was born in a U.S. military hospital abroad?

If your child was born in a U.S. military hospital abroad, the hospital may issue a certificate of birth, which can be registered later with the State Department. Consult with the military hospital and your embassy or consulate for specific guidance on your situation.

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