Passports and Citizenship
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad
The birth of a child in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must be reported to the local authorities within 30 days from date of birth if residing in a city, and within 60 days if residing more than 50 kilometers away from a city. When reporting the birth, the father must bring the original marriage certificate, the original passports, and the iqama of the parents.
Parents of a newborn American child should apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad at the Consular Section at their earliest convenience. The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) is primary proof of American citizenship issued to a person under age 18 who was born abroad to American parent(s).
The child must be present with his/her parents at the time of application at the consular section. An American parent must complete the Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-2029), and should bring the required documents listed below.
Application Requirements
All documentation, including the Saudi birth certificate, must be originals and should be in the English language or translated by one of the translators on file with the U.S. Consulate General or an official translator in the country of origin.
1. If the child is also a Saudi citizen, please provide the birth certificate issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior. If the child is not a Saudi citizen, please present the birth certificate from the Saudi Ministry of Health; (the child’s Hospital birth certificate is not acceptable).
2. Evidence of American citizenship of the parent(s); (i.e., US passports, Naturalization Certificate, or U.S. birth certificates)
3. Both parents’ photo identification; (i.e., passports or photo identification issued by a government authority)
4. Parents' official marriage certificate; (Religious marriage records are not acceptable)
5. If either parent has previously been married, proof of termination of the previous marriage(s), i.e., death certificate, divorce decree, etc.
6. If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, that parent should complete an (Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence and provide evidence that s/he has been physically present in the United States (e.g., school grades, University transcripts, letters from past US employers supported by W-2 forms, etc.).
A NOTE ON TRANSMITTING CITIZENSHIP, IF ONLY ONE PARENT IS A U.S. CITIZEN:
A child born abroad of one American citizen and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth if the American parent has been physically present in the United States prior to the birth of the child for a minimum period of five years, at least two of which were after that parent's fourteenth birthday.
A child born abroad to an unwed American citizen mother and non-American father acquires U.S. citizenship if the mother has been physically present in the United States prior to the birth of the child for a minimum period of one continuous year.
A child born abroad to an unwed American citizen father and a non-American mother acquires U.S. citizenship if the father has been physically present in the United States prior to the birth of the child for a minimum period of five years, at least two of which were after that parent’s fourteenth birthday. In addition, the father must also submit a sworn statement that he will provide child support until the child reaches age 18.
7. If a U.S. passport is also applied for: Passport application form DS-11 , two (2) identical photographs and $85 fee or the equivalent in Saudi Riyals for a passport applicant under age 16. (The photographs must be a clear, full face, front view of the applicant with a white background. They may be in color or black and white and should be no smaller than 2”x 2”. The image size measured from the bottom of chin to the top of the head shall not be less than 1” or more than 1 ¼”.)
8. If an SSN is also applied for: Application for Social Security Number form SSA-5 (SSN applications are accepted at the Embassy but will be forwarded to the Regional Federal Benefits Unit at the American Embassy in Athens, Greece).
9. The fee for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad is $65 or the equivalent in Saudi Riyals.
Fees must be paid in cash (Saudi Riyals or U.S. currency). The Consulate General cannot accept credit cards or checks.
