Elle Lay here. After lil bit was born, there were a few things that we had to do to register her as an American citizen so that she could obtain her passport and social security number. It takes some planning, but is quite easy.
I recommend checking your country's rules and regulations for registering a birth abroad shortly after falling pregnant so that you are sure to have all official documents in your possession. US requires official or certified copies of documents. Thankfully, BG and I had all but one already here in China with us. I did however have to obtain a CERTIFIED copy of my divorce decree from my first marriage. I've never needed one before ( only needed a copy for my current marriage certificate) and it proved to be quite the hassle to get it. I'm thankful I had the foresight to look ahead at what documentation would be required, as it took a good month to get that Certified copy in my hands.
Anyhow, the consulate website has all forms available to print out and complete at home. We printed and completed the paperwork as thoroughly as possible so that we would have less to do once lil bit arrived.
Here are the steps:
After birth, Make appointment with consulate for interview CRBA. Both parents and child must be present.
Required papers:
form DS-2029
ORIGINAL or CERTIFIED COPY of the child's Chinese birth certificate issued by hospital
Both Parental passports
ORIGINAL or CERTIFIED copy of marriage certificate
Evidence of termination of previous marriages ORIGINAL or CERTIFIED copy
Evidence of residence in America (ex. utility bills, pay stubs, house deed, college transcripts, costco club cards or driver licenses)
For passport application:
1. Form DS-11
2. One passport photo on white background measuring 5cm x5cm
For SSN app:
1. Form SS-5-FS (can be completed online, printed and brought to meeting)
I downloaded an iPhone app that helped me get the correct size passport photo. I laid lil bit on a white sheet in her cot. The app has guides on the screen to get the face to fill the frame correctly. Once you're satisfied with the photo, save onto a memory stick and take it to a local developer. If you are American clarify with developer that it MUST be 5x5. I made the mistake of just telling the developer to print 6 passport photos and ended up with the perfect size for a Chinese passport. Not American.
On the day of your appointment, take all paperwork, both parents and child to the American Citizen Services in Shanghai. The ACS is located on Nanjing Lu and about a two hour drive from Wuxi. It's located on the 8th floor of bbbbbbbbbb building. As an American citizen, you can bypass the lines and check right through security. You'll need to take a number ( even with an appointment) at the kiosk in the ACS waiting room. You will submit your paperwork, then have a seat and wait for the interview portion.
The interview takes about twenty minutes. You'll be sworn in and then asked to answer questions about employment, how you met, how long you will be in a China, etc. We were not asked for proof of US residency, but had our Costco card and driver's licenses with us in case we were asked.
Once completed, you will take a seat and wait to be called to pay for the services.
Four to six weeks later you will receive notification that the passport is available. Only one parent need be present to pick it up. The social security card is mailed. We chose to have ours mailed to our US contact for safe keeping as China post is somewhat unreliable.
Hope this helps!
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