Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
General information about applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad is located on the Embassy’s website: https://jm.usembassy.gov/
Answer: CRBA or passport services for the child’s sibling(s)
A separate appointment is required for each child that is applying for a service. Please contact the embassy or consulate if you are unable to schedule passport or CRBA services for all of your minor children on the same day:
Kingston: KingstonACS@state.gov
Cayman Islands: CaymanACS@state.gov
Montego Bay: MobayACS@state.gov
During the earliest appointment, tell the consular officer that you are applying for services for multiple children. The applications will be processed at the same time if possible.
Answer: Passport services for the child’s parent(s)
If your own passport service requires an in-person appearance, you will need to book a separate appointment in your own name.
In general, to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), you must:
- Fill out the appropriate application form;
- Provide supporting documents;
- Pay the appropriate application fee; and
- Schedule an appointment.
Step-by-step application instructions, including information about applications forms, fee payment, required supporting documents and how to submit your application are provided on the Embassy website: https://jm.usembassy.gov/services/#wizard
Appointments are scheduled online at https://jm.usembassy.gov/services/conserv-info/#appt .
You must bring your printed appointment confirmation page, completed forms, and original documents to your interview.
When scheduling the appointment, you should make a written note of the following:
- The appointment confirmation number generated.
- The date and time for your appointment. You will not receive email confirmation of the appointment date.
- The appointment password. You will require the password if you need to cancel the appointment. No record of your password is kept at the Embassy.
Each applicant requiring a service at the Embassy must have a separate appointment.
Please contact the Embassy or Consulate if you are unable to schedule passport or CRBA services for all of your minor children on the same day:
Kingston: KingstonACS@state.gov
Cayman Islands: CaymanACS@state.gov
Montego Bay: MobayACS@state.gov
When you book the appointment, it is vital that you print or note down your password and the appointment date and time. You will not receive an automated appointment confirmation email or reminder emails.
If you believe that your child has a claim to U.S. citizenship you may apply for a CRBA in Jamaica . After your child’s appointment in Jamaica , we will forward the CRBA application to the Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your child’s birthplace. Therefore, processing will take longer than normal. You will be advised further during the appointment.
Additional information on CRBA eligibility is available at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/birth-abroad.html
The Embassy does not keep copies of CRBA certificates on file. However, you may apply for a copy of a CRBA certificate through the Department of State in the United States.
Please visit https://travel.state.gov and go to “How to Replace or Amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.”
Children born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent may have a claim to U.S. citizenship. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a certificate that serves as official evidence of U.S. citizenship issued to a child under the age of 18 who was born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent(s). It documents that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth.
Information about transmission requirements and application instructions are provided on the following website: https://jm.usembassy.gov/services/#wizard
We do not provide routine status updates for applications within the standard processing timeframe (two to three weeks for passports / two to three weeks for CRBAs). If you/your child submitted an application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and passport and it has been more than the standard processing time, you may contact the U.S. Embassy at:
Kingston: KingstonACS@state.gov
Cayman Islands: CaymanACS@state.gov
Montego Bay: MobayACS@state.gov
If no appointment is available when you first check, please check the calendar periodically for any newly released appointments.
Appointments are released periodically. The appointment calendar operates in real time so will show any available appointments, including appointments available due to cancellations. Appointments will not be released on a specific date or time so please regularly check the calendar for availability.
It is not necessary to obtain a CRBA if you have an urgent need to travel or if it is more convenient, you may apply for a passport in lieu of a CRBA.
Step-by-step application instructions, including information about applications forms, fee payment, photograph requirements, required supporting documents and how to submit your application are provided on the Embassy website at: https://jm.usembassy.gov/passports/
In the United States, you may apply at any passport acceptance agency. Consult the State Department website: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov to find the passport acceptance agency closest to you.
If you reside in Jamaica or the Cayman Islands and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Santo Domingo.
For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at https://do.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/ .
For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World.
If you are already receiving SSA benefits payments, there will be no change in the method of distribution of those payments.
General information on SSA services for people living outside the United States can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/index.html .