The online application for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) will allow parents to fill out an application online, upload required documents, and submit an online payment of $100 prior to the in-person interview.

Before you begin the online CRBA application, however, please carefully read through Step 2 (and consider printing it out) to help ensure you have all of the required documentation ready to upload and ready to take with you on the day of your interview.

Once you have familiarized yourself with or printed out the requirements described above, create a MyTravelGov account using the link below to get started on your CRBA application and make your online payment.  MyTravelGov is a secure, encrypted portal.  Once you complete the online application and submit your payment, you will be directed to schedule your appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Bern.

Please schedule your appointment a minimum of 5 working days after the date of submission to allow payment processing to be completed.  If your payment hasn’t cleared before your interview, we will not be able to proceed with your interview.  Your child, and generally both parents, must attend the interview.

• Create your MyTravelGov account. 

Your child must be present at the interview. Both parents must be present for children under 16. If one parent cannot be present, please see the instructions on this page  under #7, “Show Parental Consent.”

You need the following for your appointment:

• Child’s birth certificate (1 original / 1 photocopy)
  Swiss Family Booklets are not accepted. Swiss birth certificate does not need an additional English translation.
• Parents’ marriage certificate (Original) – if applicable
• Divorce or death certificate (Original) – if applicable
  If either parent has been married previously, they must present the original or court certified divorce decree for all previous marriages or death certificate if one parent is deceased.
• Parents’ evidence of U.S. citizenship (Original)
  I.e. U.S. passport, U.S. Certificate of Naturalization, U.S. Certificate of Citizenship, U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
• Parents’ government-issued ID (1 original / 1 photocopy)
  I.e. passport, other national identity document)
• Child’s Swiss or other foreign passport (1 original / 1 photocopy)
  If they have been issued one
• Evidence of name change (1 original / 1 photocopy)
  If either of the parents’ current legal names does not appear on the presented documents, provide official evidence of a name change.
• Evidence of physical presence (Original) – The U.S. citizen parent must bring proof they were present in the United States before the child’s birth. Please see  sample documentation below.
• Prior Consular Report of Birth Abroad for another child from same family (1 original / 1 photocopy), if applicable
• Application for a U.S. passport (Form DS-11) Do NOT sign
• Social Security Number Statement for minors (PDF 168KB)
• Passport photograph for the child.
• Self-addressed prepaid C4 Size return envelope with a Swiss mailing address and the correct Swiss postage:
  • CHF 5.20 stamps for A+ registered mail

* Please Note:
Swiss stamps need to be purchased at the Swiss Post Office. The Consular Section cannot provide you with stamps or accept payment for delivery.

Our office is permitted to mail issued passports to France and Germany. However, we require a self-addressed prepaid return envelope with CHF 18.30 stamps. Additionally you may be charged a customs fee upon delivery from your postal service provider.

Prepaid registered mail stickers are not accepted.

Once you complete the online application and submit your payment, you will be directed to schedule your appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Bern within the eCRBA system.

Please schedule your appointment a minimum of 5 working days after the date of submission to allow payment processing to be completed.  If your payment hasn’t cleared before your interview, we will not be able to proceed with your interview.

• Academic transcripts
• Employment records
• Current and expired passports with evidence of travel to the United States. If you traveled on your parent’s passport as a child, you show entry and exit stamps in their passports.
• Records of honorable U.S. military service, employment with U.S. Government or certain intergovernmental international organizations; or as a dependent, unmarried child and member of the household of a parent in such service or employment (except where indicated).
• Naturalization Certificate
• Wage and tax statements (W-2) – only in conjunction with a letter from the employer

Other proof may be accepted depending on the circumstances of your case. Please bring as much documentation as you have. You can discuss this with the consular officer during your appointment.

• U.S. birth certificate (long version listing the parents U.S. residence)
• Marriage certificate with residence address in the U.S.
• Utility bills
• Automobile registrations
• School transcripts
• Property rental leases and payment receipts
• Employment records or information