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U.S. Citizen Services
Report of Birth Abroad – More Information

What if one of the parents cannot appear in person?

If… Then…

You and your spouse are both U.S. citizens, and your spouse is unable to attend the interview

Submit the following documents from your spouse in addition to ALL the required documents listed on our Report of Birth Abroad Checklist.

  • Your spouse’s proof of citizenship (original)
  • (If you are also applying for a U.S. passport for the child) Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent” signed by your spouse and notarized within three months of your appointment AND a photocopy of the front and back side of the ID your spouse presented to the notary public.

Photocopies of the DS-3053 will not be accepted. DS-3053s notarized more than three months before your appointment will not be accepted.

* In Japan, a DS-3053 notarized by a Japanese notary public is acceptable.

You are not a U.S. citizen and you are married to the U.S. citizen parent of your child, who is unable to attend the interview

Submit the following documents from the U.S. citizen parent in addition to ALL the required documents listed on our Report of Birth Abroad Checklist.

Photocopies of the DS-3053 will not be accepted. DS-3053s notarized more than three months before your appointment will not be accepted.

* In Japan, a DS-3053 notarized by a Japanese notary public is acceptable.

You are not a U.S. citizen and you were NOT married to the U.S. citizen parent of your child at the time of your child’s birth, who is unable to attend the interview

Submit the following documents from the U.S. citizen parent in addition to ALL the required documents listed on our Report of Birth Abroad Checklist.

Photocopies of the DS-3053 will not be accepted. DS-3053s notarized more than three months before your appointment will not be accepted.

* In Japan, a DS-3053 notarized by a Japanese notary public is acceptable.

You are a U.S. citizen and you are married to the non-U.S. citizen parent of your child, who is unable to attend the interview

Submit the following documents from the non-U.S. citizen parent in addition to ALL the required documents listed on our Report of Birth Abroad Checklist.

  • (If you are also applying for a U.S. passport for the child) Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent” signed by your spouse and notarized within three months of your appointment AND a photocopy of the front and back side of the ID your spouse presented to the notary public.

Photocopies of the DS-3053 will not be accepted. DS-3053s notarized more than three months before your appointment will not be accepted.

* In Japan, a DS-3053 notarized by a Japanese notary public is acceptable.