Federal document apostille
We help families turn a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) into a federally apostilled document that foreign governments will accept — for dual citizenship, residence permits, school enrollment, and family registration abroad.
This page covers Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA / FS-240) only. For state-issued birth certificates, see birth certificate apostille. For other federal documents, return to the federal documents hub.
What this page covers
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 — most often on Form FS-240 — to document the child's U.S. citizenship. Foreign authorities frequently require 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. Because the CRBA is a federal record, it is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, not a state Secretary of State.
Common reasons people need this
Many countries require an apostilled CRBA before they will add a child born abroad to local birth records, issue a domestic birth certificate, or recognize dual nationality — especially in jurisdictions that grant citizenship by descent.
Foreign 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.
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.
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.
How it works
Email or text a clear scan of your child's Consular Report of Birth Abroad and any instructions from the foreign registry, consulate, or school. We confirm in writing whether your current document is eligible for apostille or if a new certified copy must be requested from the U.S. Department of State.
If a new CRBA copy is required, we provide step-by-step instructions for requesting it from the U.S. Department of State Vital Records office — forms, fees, and where to send the application. We also advise how many originals to order if multiple countries will need apostilled copies.
Once your CRBA is in the proper format, we route it through federal authentication and apostille (or consular legalization for non-Hague countries), track progress, and return the completed document by secure mail or courier — anywhere in the world.
What will and won't be accepted
Realistic timelines
Before you contact us
CRBA apostille FAQ
Foreign authorities generally require an original or certified copy issued by the U.S. Department of State, not a photocopy. We help you determine whether your current CRBA is suitable or whether you should request a new certified copy specifically for apostille.
Replacement copies can 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.
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad is a federal record and normally does not require notarization. It is authenticated and apostilled through federal channels based on the embedded signatures and seals on the document itself.
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.
Because CRBAs are federal records, they are authenticated through the U.S. Department of State rather than a state Secretary of State. Standard federal processing is currently several weeks. We confirm current timelines and rush options before you commit.
Non-Hague countries require federal authentication followed by consular legalization instead of an apostille. We explain the steps for your specific country so you know whether you need an apostille, additional certificates, or full consular processing.
Other federal documents