Consular Report of Birth Abroad Apostille Los Angeles
Apostille service for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA/FS‑240). We help Los Angeles families get federal birth abroad records apostilled so your child's U.S. citizenship is recognized overseas. Serving all of California by mail.
Make your Consular Report of Birth Abroad valid in another country
When a child is born outside the United States to U.S. citizen parent(s), the U.S. embassy or consulate may issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), often on Form FS‑240, to document U.S. citizenship.
Foreign authorities frequently ask for the CRBA to be apostilled or authenticated before they will update local birth registries, issue residence permits, enroll a child in school, or process family immigration. An apostille confirms that the U.S. Department of State issued or certified the document and that the signature and seal are genuine.
We help you confirm whether your current CRBA copy can be used, whether you need to request a replacement or additional certified copies from the U.S. Department of State, and how those records must be submitted for apostille or authentication for your destination country.
This page covers CRBA apostilles specifically. For other federal records, visit our federal documents apostille hub, or see related pages for FBI background checks, consular death reports, and USCIS/naturalization documents.
Experience with CRBA, embassies, and foreign registries
- Assist families with apostilles for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, embassy birth certificates, and related letters used for dual citizenship, residence permits, and school enrollment.
- Review scans of your CRBA or replacement certificate and the instructions you received from a consulate, lawyer, or foreign authority so you know exactly which version needs to be apostilled.
- Clarify when you must request a new CRBA copy from the U.S. Department of State, how many originals to order, and how those will be routed for apostille or authentication.
- Provide clear expectations for timelines and costs, which can be longer for federal documents, and keep you updated while your child's records are being processed.
Parents often receive brief instructions such as "provide apostilled U.S. birth certificate or consular birth record" without details. We translate that request into a concrete plan so your CRBA is prepared correctly and accepted the first time.
How Consular Report of Birth Abroad apostille works
1. We review your CRBA and destination requirements.
You can send a clear scan or photo of your child's Consular Report of Birth Abroad and any instructions from the foreign registry, consulate, or school. We confirm whether your current document is eligible for apostille or if you need to request a replacement or additional certified copies from the U.S. Department of State.
2. We help you obtain the correct certified copy if needed.
If a new CRBA copy is required, we provide step‑by‑step instructions for requesting it, including forms, fees, and where to send the application. We also discuss how many originals to order in case multiple agencies or countries will need apostilled copies.
3. We coordinate federal authentication, apostille, and return delivery.
Once your CRBA is in the proper format, we route it through the appropriate federal authentication and apostille or legalization process, track progress, and return the completed apostilled document to you by mail or courier. For non‑Hague countries, we outline any additional consular steps required after the federal stage.
Because federal processing times can change, we explain current timeframes and any available rush options before you commit so you can plan around residency, school, or immigration deadlines.
When families apostille a Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Registering a child's birth with a foreign civil registry
Many countries require an apostilled CRBA before they will add a child born abroad to local birth records or issue a domestic birth certificate, especially in dual‑nationality situations.
Residence permits and family visas
Immigration authorities often ask for an apostilled CRBA to confirm a child's identity and relationship to U.S. citizen parents when issuing residence permits, long‑term visas, or family‑reunification documents.
Citizenship and passport applications abroad
Some foreign citizenship and passport offices accept a U.S. CRBA as proof of birth but still require an apostille or authentication to verify that the document was genuinely issued by the U.S. government.
School enrollment and benefits
Schools, health systems, and benefits agencies in other countries may request an apostilled CRBA to document a child's age, identity, and U.S. citizenship when registering for services or programs.
Questions about apostilling a Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Can I apostille a photocopy or scan of the CRBA?
Foreign authorities generally require an original or certified copy issued by the U.S. Department of State, not just a photocopy. We help you determine whether your current CRBA is suitable or whether you should request a new certified copy specifically for apostille.
What if I lost the original Consular Report of Birth Abroad?
Replacement copies can usually be requested from the U.S. Department of State's vital records office. We provide the instructions and details you need so the replacement can be used for apostille and overseas registration.
Does a CRBA have to be notarized?
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad is a federal record and normally does not require notarization. Instead, it is authenticated and apostilled through federal channels based on the embedded signatures and seals on the document itself.
Is a CRBA the same as a birth certificate?
A CRBA serves a similar purpose to a U.S. birth certificate but is issued by the U.S. Department of State rather than a state or county. Some foreign authorities accept it on its own, while others also request local birth registration or additional documents. For state-issued birth certificates, see our birth certificate apostille page.
What if my destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
Non‑Hague countries typically require federal authentication followed by consular legalization instead of an apostille. We can explain the steps for your specific country so you know whether you need an apostille, additional certificates, or consular processing.
Serving Los Angeles in person and families worldwide by mail
Share a scan of your child's Consular Report of Birth Abroad and your destination country so we can confirm what is required and outline a realistic timeline for federal apostille or authentication before you schedule appointments or travel.
We regularly help families in Los Angeles, across California, and abroad prepare CRBA documents for use in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and beyond. Mail‑in options are available even if you are currently living overseas.
When you reach out, it helps to include:
- Whether you have the original CRBA or need a replacement or additional copy.
- The country where the document will be used and the type of process involved (residency, school, registry, citizenship, etc.).
- Any deadlines, consulate appointments, or application dates you are working with.
We will confirm fees, federal requirements, mailing or courier options, and the expected apostille timeline before finalizing your appointment.
For an overview of all document types and countries we handle, visit our apostille services page or return to mobile notary and apostille services in Los Angeles.