Reports of Birth Abroad

The Constitution of the United States provides that persons born in the U.S. and subject to the jurisdiction thereof shall be U.S. citizens. Subsequent legislative action by Congress was required to provide for acquisition of U.S. citizenship by children born to U.S. citizens abroad.

Children born abroad may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth only if one (or both) of their natural parents were U.S. citizens at the time of child's birth. The exact requirements vary depending on the date of the child's birth, the marital status of the parents, and which parent (if not both) was a U.S. citizen.

U.S. citizens who wish to know if their Estonian-born child is an American citizen by derivation should contact the Consular Section's American Citizen Services Unit at 668 8100 and request the necessary forms and an appointment. It will be necessary for both parents and the child to be present at the interview. The following documents will also be required:

The child's Estonian birth certificate (see Note below)

Proof of U.S. citizenship of the parent or parents

The parent or parents' photo ID

The parents' marriage certificate (if applicable)

Documents showing legal termination of previous marriages of either parent (if applicable)

Consul may ask for evidence of the American parent's presence in the U.S. prior to the birth of the child (school or employments records, old passports with entry and exit stamps, etc.).

If a determination is made that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth, the Consul will issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America. This document is recognized by U.S. law as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship and is acceptable evidence of citizenship for obtaining a passport, entering school, and most other purposes. The fee for this document is $65.00 or the equivalent in EEKs. Payment may be made in cash or by credit card.

Parents may also apply for the child's first passport when they apply for the consular Report of Birth Abroad. This process is the same as passport renewal for a child under the age of 14, but the fee is $82.00.

Note: To obtain the Estonian birth certificate married parents must submit a marriage certificate valid in Estonia. For marriage certificates issued outside Estonia, this requires the addition of an “apostille". To obtain an apostille on a U.S.-issued marriage certificate, please contact the office of the Secretary of State for the issuing U.S. State.

See http://www.nass.org/NPA/us/UnitedStates.htm or http://www.nass.org for the relevant office. All states charge a small fee. Once an apostille is obtained, non-Estonian marriage certificates must also be translated at an official Estonian translation bureau before an Estonian birth certificate will be issued. A partial list of translation offices is provided here: http://estonia.usembassy.gov/translation.php. (Inclusion of a translation office on this list does not constitute a commercial endorsement by the United States Embassy in Tallinn.)

So that we may better serve you, please make an appointment for passport services, applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, and other non-emergency consular services by calling the Consular section at 668-8100.