Documentation of United States Citizens Born Abroad Who Acquire Citizenship at Birth

The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported as soon as possible to the nearest U.S. Embassy for the purpose of establishing an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship at birth.  The official record is in the form of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America.  This document, referred to as the Consular Report of Birth (FS-240) is considered a basic United States citizenship document.  An original Consular Report of Birth Abroad is furnished to the parent(s) at the time the registration is approved.

• Please refer to information on obtaining the Consular Report of Birth Abroad for your child.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows certain foreign-born, biological and adopted children of American citizens to acquire U.S. citizenship.  These children did not acquire U.S. citizenship at birth, but they qualify for citizenship when they enter the United States as lawful permanent residents (LPRs).

• Please refer to information on the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

Claiming U.S. Citizenship

If you are over 18 years of age, and if you were born abroad to a U.S. Citizen parent who did not declare your birth at a U.S. embassy or consulate, you may have a claim to U.S. citizenship.

This service is available by appointment only at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica.

Checklist of required original documents for your appointment

1. Your identification or passport;
2. Your birth certificate;
3. Your parents’ marriage certificate;
4. If you were born out of wedlock, your father’s affidavit of parentage (not applicable if your father is deceased);
5. Your U.S. parent’s U.S. passport or notarized true copy of U.S. passport;
6. Your U.S. parent’s precise list of physical presence in the U.S. prior to your birth aboard;
7. Evidence of your U.S. parent’s physical presence in the U.S. such as:  high school and university transcripts, military honorable discharge showing dates of service, Social Security Earning Statement, IRS W-2 forms, employers letters or certificates, salary slips, bank records (checking account statements), credit card statements, previous passports with stamps, etc.;
8. Complete online and print Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport, please do not sign this document;

Please see Consular Fees. The fee for this service is paid at the time of your appointment at the Embassy, in cash or by credit card. We accept both U.S. dollars euros.

Please let us know when you are ready by sending us an email to PodgoricaACS@state.gov  with service type in subject line and your full name in body of an email and we will schedule an appointment for you.

*Please note that all documents required must be prepared and applicable form must be filled out prior to your appointment.

Please see the State Department web page on Renunciation of Citizenship.

Please let us know when you are ready or if you have questions regarding renunciation of citizenship by sending us an email to PodgoricaACS@state.gov with service type in subject line and your full name in body of an email.

*Please note that all documents required must be prepared and applicable form must be filled out prior to your appointment.

A non-refundable renunciation fee of $2,350.00 is payable at the time of submission at the Embassy, in cash or by credit card. We accept both U.S. dollars and Euros.