If you've been around here for a while, you might know that I like to give back to the community where possible. I had trouble finding more than a snippet here and there regarding the experience of US citizens who have had to register the birth of their children abroad, so I thought I'd give a full rundown of our trip to the consulate located in Toronto. For context, I am now a US/Canadian dual citizen, but my husband is Canadian, and our son, who was born in Canada, is 2 months old.
CRBA stands for Consular Report of Birth Abroad. This is a document for children of US citizens who are born outside of the US and affirms their status as a US citizen by descent. You can learn more about it here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/birth-abroad.html
When you go to the consulate to apply for a CRBA, you also have the option of applying for your child's passport at the same time. You do not need to have a SSN for the child, but a US citizen parent must affirm that the child does not have a SSN yet by filling out the affidavit mentioned in step 4, below. You can pay the passport fee in advance online, or you can pay at the consulate.
You can view more information through the US Citizen Services at Consulate Toronto webpage.
Steps to apply:
Getting there
We do not live in Toronto or the GTA, and our son is only 2 months old, so we ended up booking a hotel in Mississauga and driving into the city and parking up the street from the consulate to keep it brief and avoid public transit. The parking garage cost us $25 (daily rate, and we weren't sure how long we would be). My husband carried the baby in a wrap on his chest.
What to bring
Note the security procedures listed on the consulate webpage, in particular the list of prohibited items. This meant no smart watches, no cell phones, no electronic key fob. We left most of our belongings in the car when we parked, but brought a cell phone and the key fob for the car with us to the Staples across the street from the consulate. To store items at Staples, simply go to the checkout counter and ask to store your items temporarily. We were issued a $5 charge, which we were told was actually a donation that goes to supporting the homeless (and you have the option to donate more, if you'd like). The staff will store your items in a cabinet behind the counter for you. Side note: I have never seen a nicer Staples store in my life!
We did bring the following:
Entering the Consulate
The building (360 University Ave) is rather understated. It is quite grey with stairs and a ramp leading up to an elevated door. There was a folding sign in front of the door that verified that it was the US Consulate General Toronto and gave some instructions for visitors. Note that there are actually two entrances, and that there is a separate entrance for US visas on the other side of the building.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a guard who confirmed our appointment and identity documents. He had a fantastic moustache and asked me to confirm my birth date, then joked around with my husband by asking him to confirm his passport number. We were escorted inside, where we were asked to put all of our items into a bin to be sent through a machine, similar to airport security. We each walked through a scanner and had a wand waved over our front and backsides. Once finished, we were directed to take the elevator upstairs to floor 3, where we were told to wait in line for the next window to become available. There are bathrooms and a waiting area down the hall from the queue, and my husband (on baby duty) confirmed that the bathrooms are quite nice and that there is a changing table in the men's room.
Processing
We waited in line for a few minutes while the family ahead of us attempted to apply for a CRBA and passport. The gentleman behind the counter was super professional and clear while instructing them on what they needed to do. We waited maybe five minutes before another window opened up and called us forward.
We were told that only one of us needed to be there to present documents and that the other could go to the waiting room with the baby, so my husband went and sat down for a while. I was then asked for our identity documents, including my husband's (which I had to run and get from him), followed by my son's passport application and my supporting documents to verify that I had lived in the US for at least 5 years. I had uploaded a lot of documents to the application online since I had a lot of periods of time between international travel, but they ended up only taking my university transcripts since I completed both my bachelors and masters degree sequentially over the span of 5 years, which is enough proof. I was asked which fees I had already paid (CRBA but not passport), then given my documents in a red folder and instructed to proceed to the cashier's window to pay the remaining passport fees.
At the cashier's window, they collected the red folder from me, and I paid the passport fees in cash in USD, but they would have also accepted CAD, credit, or personal cheque. I was told to go wait in the waiting area with my husband and son, and that I would be called by name when they were ready to finalize processing.
Completion (success!)
We waited for around 15 minutes after our documents were collected. Interestingly, there is a Department of State branded vending machine in the waiting area. It may sound dumb, but we weren't sure whether it took USD or CAD. It would not accept my loonies, but did appear to charge us in CAD when I used my credit card. Then, finally, they called us by last name, then my son's first name, over the PA system.
My husband, son, and I approached the window and were greeted promptly. We were asked to verify that my son was the child we were applying for, and then I was asked a few questions about my time living in the US, including which states I had lived in and when I moved to Canada. The attendant was exceptionally friendly and asked if I missed it and whether I'd move back. We were asked to raise our right hands to take a brief oath to attest to the information and likeness provided for my son's passport application, then signed the passport application in front of her. She also had us sign another affidavit that I think was for the CRBA. Finally, she congratulated us and confirmed that our son had been a US citizen since birth, and that he could now move back to the states with us if we so choose.
Our documents were returned to us, and we were told that it may be a couple weeks for the CRBA to arrive in the mail.
And that was it! We exited the building the same way we came in, without escort.
Links:
US Consulate General Toronto: https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/toronto/
About the CRBA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/birth-abroad.html
MyTravelGov (to register for CRBA): https://mytravel.state.gov/s/
Preparing for your appointment: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=dFDPZv5a0UimkaErISH0Sx6B3KL38H5Jur4xYHv5GFBUQlhSS1NVQ0hPVVcxQTg1RkI1SFg5M09RMy4u
CRBA stands for Consular Report of Birth Abroad. This is a document for children of US citizens who are born outside of the US and affirms their status as a US citizen by descent. You can learn more about it here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/birth-abroad.html
When you go to the consulate to apply for a CRBA, you also have the option of applying for your child's passport at the same time. You do not need to have a SSN for the child, but a US citizen parent must affirm that the child does not have a SSN yet by filling out the affidavit mentioned in step 4, below. You can pay the passport fee in advance online, or you can pay at the consulate.
You can view more information through the US Citizen Services at Consulate Toronto webpage.
Steps to apply:
- Register for the CRBA online through MyTravelGov. You will be asked to upload documents and pay the CRBA fee of $100.
- Schedule an appointment with the consulate via the portal that you are linked to in the online application. The consulate has appointments from around 8am to 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The later appointments go quickly, so you may need to book a few weeks out if you will need more time to get to the consulate during the day.
- SAVE and PRINT the confirmation page. There is a code on that page that you will not find anywhere else that you will need for any modifications to your appointment.
- Fill out the DS-11 passport application form (and affidavit, if needed). Do not sign the last section. Optionally, you can pay the fees online; otherwise, you can pay them at the consulate.
- Gather physical copies of all documents you uploaded, and make two sets of copies of your identity documents-- one for the CRBA and one for the passport application.
- Obtain a self-addressed Xpresspost regional envelope. I used the 8.5 x 11" folder and paid for the signature required sticker.
- Attend your appointment with original copies of your documents.
Getting there
We do not live in Toronto or the GTA, and our son is only 2 months old, so we ended up booking a hotel in Mississauga and driving into the city and parking up the street from the consulate to keep it brief and avoid public transit. The parking garage cost us $25 (daily rate, and we weren't sure how long we would be). My husband carried the baby in a wrap on his chest.
What to bring
Note the security procedures listed on the consulate webpage, in particular the list of prohibited items. This meant no smart watches, no cell phones, no electronic key fob. We left most of our belongings in the car when we parked, but brought a cell phone and the key fob for the car with us to the Staples across the street from the consulate. To store items at Staples, simply go to the checkout counter and ask to store your items temporarily. We were issued a $5 charge, which we were told was actually a donation that goes to supporting the homeless (and you have the option to donate more, if you'd like). The staff will store your items in a cabinet behind the counter for you. Side note: I have never seen a nicer Staples store in my life!
We did bring the following:
- Appointment confirmation
- Boba wrap to wear the baby
- Compact umbrella
- Small purse (10" x 8" x 3")
- Diapers and compressible changing pad
- Mini pack of baby wipes
- Three 2oz bottles of formula
- Empty bottle to feed the baby
- Identity documents: passports, husband's license, child's birth certificate
- Supporting documents
- Passport application with photo (some places say two, but you only need one photo for DS-11).
- Forms of payment (cash, credit cards)
Entering the Consulate
The building (360 University Ave) is rather understated. It is quite grey with stairs and a ramp leading up to an elevated door. There was a folding sign in front of the door that verified that it was the US Consulate General Toronto and gave some instructions for visitors. Note that there are actually two entrances, and that there is a separate entrance for US visas on the other side of the building.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a guard who confirmed our appointment and identity documents. He had a fantastic moustache and asked me to confirm my birth date, then joked around with my husband by asking him to confirm his passport number. We were escorted inside, where we were asked to put all of our items into a bin to be sent through a machine, similar to airport security. We each walked through a scanner and had a wand waved over our front and backsides. Once finished, we were directed to take the elevator upstairs to floor 3, where we were told to wait in line for the next window to become available. There are bathrooms and a waiting area down the hall from the queue, and my husband (on baby duty) confirmed that the bathrooms are quite nice and that there is a changing table in the men's room.
Processing
We waited in line for a few minutes while the family ahead of us attempted to apply for a CRBA and passport. The gentleman behind the counter was super professional and clear while instructing them on what they needed to do. We waited maybe five minutes before another window opened up and called us forward.
We were told that only one of us needed to be there to present documents and that the other could go to the waiting room with the baby, so my husband went and sat down for a while. I was then asked for our identity documents, including my husband's (which I had to run and get from him), followed by my son's passport application and my supporting documents to verify that I had lived in the US for at least 5 years. I had uploaded a lot of documents to the application online since I had a lot of periods of time between international travel, but they ended up only taking my university transcripts since I completed both my bachelors and masters degree sequentially over the span of 5 years, which is enough proof. I was asked which fees I had already paid (CRBA but not passport), then given my documents in a red folder and instructed to proceed to the cashier's window to pay the remaining passport fees.
At the cashier's window, they collected the red folder from me, and I paid the passport fees in cash in USD, but they would have also accepted CAD, credit, or personal cheque. I was told to go wait in the waiting area with my husband and son, and that I would be called by name when they were ready to finalize processing.
Completion (success!)
We waited for around 15 minutes after our documents were collected. Interestingly, there is a Department of State branded vending machine in the waiting area. It may sound dumb, but we weren't sure whether it took USD or CAD. It would not accept my loonies, but did appear to charge us in CAD when I used my credit card. Then, finally, they called us by last name, then my son's first name, over the PA system.
My husband, son, and I approached the window and were greeted promptly. We were asked to verify that my son was the child we were applying for, and then I was asked a few questions about my time living in the US, including which states I had lived in and when I moved to Canada. The attendant was exceptionally friendly and asked if I missed it and whether I'd move back. We were asked to raise our right hands to take a brief oath to attest to the information and likeness provided for my son's passport application, then signed the passport application in front of her. She also had us sign another affidavit that I think was for the CRBA. Finally, she congratulated us and confirmed that our son had been a US citizen since birth, and that he could now move back to the states with us if we so choose.
Our documents were returned to us, and we were told that it may be a couple weeks for the CRBA to arrive in the mail.And that was it! We exited the building the same way we came in, without escort.
Links:
US Consulate General Toronto: https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/toronto/
About the CRBA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/birth-abroad.html
MyTravelGov (to register for CRBA): https://mytravel.state.gov/s/
Preparing for your appointment: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=dFDPZv5a0UimkaErISH0Sx6B3KL38H5Jur4xYHv5GFBUQlhSS1NVQ0hPVVcxQTg1RkI1SFg5M09RMy4u
