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Records and Authentications > Requesting a Vital Record as a U.S. Citizen > How to Replace or Amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
You should expect delays for pending and recently submitted requests to the Vital Records Office due to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are currently in Phase 2 of our three phase reopening plan.
Phase 1: A limited number of our staff will return to the office to work on processing our large backlog of mail and create new cases. Mail will be processed on a first in, first out basis, with the oldest requests done first. You will experience delays in processing times due to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You may want to consider waiting to apply until normal operations resume.
Phase 2: Most of our staff will return to the office. We will focus on processing cases on a first in, first out basis, prioritizing our oldest cases. Delays will continue.
Phase 3: We will adjust to our new normal for operations. As we maintain health measures to protect our staff, we expect that service delays for certain products will remain due to work practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As a reminder, all phases are fluid and can be quickly changed due to local public health conditions.
A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if certain requirements are met. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, or Form FS-240) is a document that certifies a child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth.
Who can replace or amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad:
On January 3, 2011, the U.S. Department of State began issuing a new Consular Report of Birth Abroad form (FS-240). You may request multiple copies of this document at any time. As of December 31, 2010, the Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350) is no longer issued. All previously issued FS-240 and DS-1350 documents are still valid for proof of identity, citizenship, and other legal purposes.
1. A notarized request that includes all of the following information:
2. A copy of requester’s valid photo ID. Examples:
If you don't have any of these IDs, please see Passport Vital Records IDs.
3. Payment
4. Mail the request, copy of the photo ID, and payment to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Processing Times
As additional employees return to our office, we are working aggressively to address all pending requests. You will continue to experience delays receiving certified vital records and the return of any original documents submitted. You may check the status of your request by emailing VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov or by calling 202-485-8300. Please provide all required items listed above to avoid further processing delays. We ask for your patience as we safely work on your request.
Shipping
Please do not include a pre-paid express mail envelope with your request. This will cause a delay in delivery.
1. A notarized request detailing the amendment or correction needed
2. Certified copies of documents justifying the amendment requested
3. Either the original FS-240, any replacement FS-240s, and any other birth records issued by the U.S. Department of State, such as Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350) and Certification of Birth Abroad (FS-545), OR
A notarized affidavit stating the location (i.e. lost, stolen or destroyed) of the original or replacement FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545 issued by the U.S. Department of State.
4. A copy of requester’s valid photo identification. Examples:
If you don't have any of these IDs, please see Passport Vital Records IDs.
5. Payment
6. Mail to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Processing Times
As additional employees return to our office, we are working aggressively to address all pending requests. You will continue to experience delays receiving certified vital records and the return of any original documents submitted. You may check the status of your request by emailing VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov or by calling 202-485-8300. Please provide all required items listed above to avoid further processing delays. We ask for your patience as we safely work on your request.
Shipping
To check the status of your request, call 202-485-8300 or email VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov
Apostilles are specialized certificates attached to your consular documents. If you need an apostille to satisfy foreign document requirements, you must submit a notarized request and a copy of a valid state-issued ID (e.g. driver's license) to the address listed below. If you already have a consular document issued within the last five years, you don't need to pay for the apostille. In addition to the Consular Report of Birth Aboard, you can request other consular documents for $50 per copy:
You must ensure that the country for intended use is a member of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
Please send your notarized request and fee (if necessary) to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Circle
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
