The U.S. Consulate General accepts applications for Consular Reports of Birth (CRBA) for children born in the Netherlands to U.S. citizens. Processing time is approximately 7-10 working days. The passport application is simultaneous to this process.

The Consulate General can also accept applications for a CRBA for children born outside the Netherlands if child and parent(s) are currently residing in the Netherlands. As these applications must be forwarded to the Consulate or Embassy in the country of birth, processing time may take longer.

Applications for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad can’t be expedited. If you wish to travel, we recommend you do not make definitive travel plans until you have received your child’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad and U.S. passport.

Click here to learn how to prepare for filing for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for your child.

A comprehensive overview on the Consular Report of Birth Abroad can be found on the State Department’s travel website.

If you are over the age of 18, were born to a U.S. citizen parent or parents and believe you have a claim to U.S. citizenship, please review this guidance on how to apply for a passport.

If you have a citizenship document and wish to apply for a passport

In addition to the naturalization process, the United States recognizes the U.S. citizenship of individuals according to two fundamental principles: jus soli, or right of birthplace, and jus sanguinis, or right of blood.

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship at birth to almost all individuals born in the United States or in U.S. jurisdictions, according to the principle of jus soli. Certain individuals born in the United States, such as children of foreign heads of state or children of foreign diplomats, do not obtain U.S. citizenship under jus soli.

Certain individuals born outside of the United States are born citizens because of their parents, according to the principle of jus sanguinis, which holds that the country of citizenship of a child is the same as that of his/her parents. The U.S. Congress is responsible for enacting laws that determine how citizenship is conveyed by a U.S. citizen parent or parents according to the principle of jus sanguinis. These laws are contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Naturalization of children who regularly reside outside the United States (Form N-600K)

Certain children who regularly reside outside the U.S. may be eligible for citizenship under Section 322 of the INA. Form N-600K may be filed by:

• A US citizen parent seeking citizenship on behalf of a minor adopted or biological child under section 322 of the INA (providing for citizenship through an application process for biological and adopted children who regularly reside outside of the U.S. and meet certain conditions while under age 18), or
• If a U.S. citizen parent of a child who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements of INA 322 has died, a U.S. citizen grandparent or a U.S. legal guardian can file the application at any time within five years of the U.S. citizen parent’s death.
• If the child’s citizen parent has not lived in the United States for at least 5 years, 2 of which were after that parent’s 14th birthday, the citizen parent currently has a parent (child’s grandparent) who:
• Is also a U.S. citizen, and
• Lived in the United States for 5 years, at least 2 of which were after the citizen grandparent’s 14th birthday and,
• May be living or deceased at the time of the adjudication of the application and the taking of the Oath.
• There are further requirements for eligibility; see the N-600K Form for more information.

Form N-600K must be filed with one of the USCIS offices in the United States.

Form

• Form N-600K

For more information, please see the USCIS website page on “Citizenship of Children“.

In addition, the U.S. Department of State’s web pages on “Citizenship and Nationality” also provide detailed information on the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

•  Renounce U.S. Citizenship

Dual nationality is the simultaneous possession of two citizenships.

While recognizing the existence of dual nationality and permitting Americans to have other nationalities, the U.S. Government does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on a dual-national U.S. citizen may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. It is generally considered that while dual nationals are in the country of which they are citizens that country has a predominant claim on them.

The acquisition of a second nationality does not eliminate or remove any of the rights or obligations a U.S. citizen has toward the United States. Along with the rights and privileges, citizenship come certain responsibilities. For example:

• U.S. citizens who also hold another country’s passport must enter and depart from the United States on their valid U.S. passport. They can’t acquire ESTA, may not get a U.S. visa, and can’t travel on their other country’s passport.
• U.S. citizens must report world-wide income by filing an annual U.S. income tax return, regardless of where else they live and pay taxes. For more information see www.irs.gov.
• A male U.S. citizen must register with the U.S. Selective Service System within three months of his 18th birthday. For more information see our section on Selective Service.

Please also read the information on the State Department’s travel website on dual nationality.

Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship

For information on renouncing U.S. citizenship, see above.