Reports of Birth Abroad

The Consular Section issues a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (form FS-240) to U.S. citizens born overseas. This is the equivalent of a U.S. birth certificate. Reports of birth are done by appointment only and require the child's presence.

To schedule a report of birth abroad appointment in Rome, click here
To schedule a report of birth abroad appointment in Florence, click here
To schedule a report of birth abroad appointment in Naples, click here
To schedule a report of birth abroad appointment in Milan, click here

Consular Reports of Birth Abroad should be made as soon as possible after the birth of a child. No U.S. Report of Birth can be issued after a child reaches the age of 18. However, a U.S. passport may be issued to an individual, regardless of age, who is determined to be a U.S. citizen by a Consular Officer.

The information below applies to a child born in Italy of a U.S. citizen parent or parents.
The U.S. citizen parent should be the one applying for the birth certificate.

DOCUMENTATION OF A CHILD BORN IN WEDLOCK

Please submit:

• two official extracts of the local birth certificate from the Comune (City Hall) of the town where the baby was first registered. The birth certificate must include both parents' names on it. Ask for "Estratto per riassunto dell'Atto di Nascita con generalità complete". If possible, please bring in the model which is in several languages (modello plurilingue).
• current U.S. passport and a photocopy of the passport. If you are a naturalized citizen please also bring your U.S. Certificate of Naturalization.
• original marriage certificate as well as proof of the termination of any previous marriages that either parent may have had (original divorce or death certificates), along with copies for the files.
• if only one of the parents is a U.S. citizen, proof of physical presence in the United States of that parent is required. For children born on or after November 14, 1986, in order to transmit your citizenship to your child you must have been physically present in the United States for five years, two of which were after the age of 14 and before the child was born. The easiest way to prove this is with original school or employment records but you may also use old passports with entry and exit stamps, photographs, records of doctor visits or any other official record that shows that you were in the United States. These are only some of many examples. Upon examination of the application, additional information may be required.
• if both parents are U.S. citizens, proof that at least one parent established a residence in the U.S. is required. The easiest way to prove this is with original school or employment records but you may also use other official records that demonstrate you resided in the United States before the birth of your child. Upon examination of the application, additional information may be required.
• parents' Social Security numbers
• completed form DS-2029
• completed form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card for children under the age of 5)

All foreign language documents presented must be accompanied by a simple English translation that does NOT have to be certified.

SEE ALSO: Fees and forms of payment webpage and Checklist for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.

DOCUMENTATION OF A CHILD BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK

UNMARRIED U.S. CITIZEN MOTHER

An unmarried U.S. citizen mother with at least one year of continuous physical presence in the U.S. can transmit U.S. citizenship to a child born abroad out of wedlock.

To document a child as a U.S. citizen, the mother should present:

• two official extracts of the local birth certificate from the Comune (City Hall) of the town where the baby was first registered. The birth certificate must include both parents' names on it. Ask for "Estratto per riassunto dell'Atto di Nascita con generalità complete". If possible, please bring in the model which is in several languages (modello plurilingue).
• current U.S. passport and a photocopy of the passport. If you are a naturalized citizen please also bring your U.S. Certificate of Naturalization.
• proof of one year continuous physical presence in the U.S. The easiest way to prove this is with original school or employment records but you may also use old passports with entry and exit stamps, photographs, records of doctor visits or any other official record that shows that you were in the United States. These are only some of many examples. Upon examination of the application, additional information may be required.
• Social Security number
• completed form DS-2029
• completed form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card for children under the age of 5)

All foreign language documents presented must be accompanied by a simple English translation that does NOT have to be certified.

SEE ALSO: Fees and forms of payment webpage and Checklist for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.

UNMARRIED U.S. CITIZEN FATHER

An unmarried U.S. citizen father can transmit U.S. citizenship to his child born out of wedlock if the following requirements are met:

• child must have been recognized in accordance with the laws of Italy
• father must have been physically present in the United States for five years (two of which after the age of 14) prior to the birth of the child (for children born before Nov. 14, 1986, the required period of physical presence in the United States is longer)
• father must sign an affidavit of paternity and a statement of his firm intention to financially support the child until he/she reaches age 18.

Please submit:

• two official extracts of the local birth certificate from the Comune (City Hall) of the town where the baby was first registered. The birth certificate must include both parents' names on it. Ask for "Estratto per riassunto dell'Atto di Nascita con generalità complete". If possible, please bring in the model which is in several languages (modello plurilingue).
• current U.S. passport and a photocopy of the passport. If you are a naturalized citizen please also bring your U.S. Certificate of Naturalization.
• proof of physical presence in the U.S. The easiest way to prove this is with original school or employment records but you may also use old passports with entry and exit stamps, photographs, records of doctor visits or any other official record that shows that you were in the United States. These are only some of many examples. Upon examination of the application, additional information may be required.
• Social Security number
• completed form DS-2029
• completed form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card for children under the age of 5)

All foreign language documents presented must be accompanied by a simple English translation that does NOT have to be certified.

SEE ALSO: Fees and forms of payment webpage and Checklist for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.