eCRBA is the Department of State’s new online application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).  eCRBA does not require any new information or processes – applicants enter the same information in eCRBA as in the paper application.  This new application method, however, will allow you to enter your data, upload required documents, pay the fees and schedule your appointment all online.  Additionally, you will be able to check the status of your application online.

Submitting your application electronically is more efficient than paper processing.  It saves time by allowing you to upload your documents, pay your fees, and schedule your appointment all in one convenient online location.  Further, it is more transparent as you will be able to check the status of your application at any time.

Yes.  Security is an important priority for all services provided by the Department of State.  Electronic processing is very secure and has been developed with stringent security considerations built into each design and development step.  Only authorized users will be able to access the online CRBA application and supporting documents.

You can use eCRBA if you meet the following criteria:

• The child born abroad must be under the age of 18 at the time of the application.
• At least one of the child’s parents must have been a U.S. citizen or U.S. non-citizen national at the time of the child’s birth.
• The biological parents of the child, the child’s legal guardian, or the child him/herself, are/is completing the application.  No third-party applicants or facilitators can use eCRBA.
• Applicant can pay online via the U.S. Government’s official payment site, pay.gov, using a credit card or a U.S. bank account.
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) was not used

Yes, you will still be able to complete a paper application (DS-2029).

You will start by opening a MyTravelGov account.  Once you have an account, you can create an eCRBA application, which will guide you step by step through the process of applying online, including uploading supporting documents to ensure that the application is complete.  Once the application is complete, you need to pay the eCRBA fee online. Once the payment is complete, you will be prompted to schedule an in-person interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto.  You must bring the child and the originals of all supporting documents to the in-person interview, where a consular officer or passport agent will interview you to verify the information provided, review the original documents, and decide whether to approve the application.

A “MyTravelGov” account is an online service that applicants can use to request consular services.  You must register for such an account to use the eCRBA application.

Throughout the eCRBA application, there are several places where you can provide documents by uploading a file from your computer.  The maximum allowable file size is 10MB.  You can click “attach a file” or “add” to bring up a document upload pop-up and then click the “select a file” button to choose the file you wish to upload.

You will need access to the internet and the ability to scan, save, and upload documents in the eCRBA application.  eCRBA also works through a mobile phone or a tablet, using your device’s camera to create images of documents to upload.

eCRBA requires payment using the U.S. government’s official payment site “pay.gov”, which accepts payments in U.S. dollars from a credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover) or U.S. bank account.

After successfully submitting an eCRBA application and payment, you will see a confirmation screen.  You will also receive a follow-up email, confirming receipt of your application. If you should not receive a follow-up email, please check your junk inbox.