Important note: In order to process a child’s claim to U.S. citizenship, the U.S. parent must establish that s/he is the biological parent.

The U.S. Embassy in Caracas strongly encourages all U.S. citizens who have children born in Venezuela to register them as U.S. citizens as soon as possible after the birth of the child. In cases in which the child has reached the age of 18 prior to being documented as a U.S. citizen, the Application for a U.S. passport must be filed to request a determination of citizenship.

Acquisition of U.S. citizenship is determined by the law in effect at the time of the birth abroad.  Information is provided below for births between December 24, 1952, and November 14, 1986, and for births since November 14, 1986.   Information on acquisition of U.S. citizenship by virtue of birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent prior to December 24, 1952, may be obtained by sending an email to acsvenezuela@state.gov.

A CHILD BORN BETWEEN DECEMBER 24, 1952, AND NOVEMBER 14th, 1986: can claim U.S. citizenship if he/she meets ONE of the following conditions at birth:

• BOTH OF CHILD’S BIOLOGICAL PARENTS ARE U.S. CITIZEN and at least one parent had a residence in the U.S. or its territories before the child’s birth or,
• ONLY ONE OF THE CHILD’S BIOLOGICAL PARENTS IS A U.S. CITIZEN, the child's parents were married at the time of the birth, and the U.S. citizen parent was physically present in the United States for  at least ten (10) years prior to the child’s birth, with at least a  five-year (5) presence after the age of fourteen (14) or,
• THE CHILD IS THE BIOGICAL SON OR DAUGHTER OF AN UNMARRIED U.S. CITIZEN MALE who was physically present in the United States at least ten (10) years prior to the child’s birth, with a five-year (5) presence after the age of fourteen (14). Paternity established under age 21 by the legitimation law of father’s or child’s residence/domicile or,
• THE CHILD IS THE BIOLOGICAL SON OR DAUGHTER OF AN UNMARRIED U.S. CITIZEN FEMALE who can demonstrate a continuous, uninterrupted physical presence at least 365 days of in the United States at any time prior to the child's birth.   

Persons who qualify for U.S. citizenship should assemble and complete the following documents. Please DO NOT SIGN any of the affidavits or applications below until asked to do so by the consular officer.  All documentation must be provided in original and two (2) copies. Note: Please arrive to the Embassy with all of the below documentation completed for each child applicant.  If you do not have the documentation completed prior to arriving to the Embassy, the ACS unit may need to re-schedule your appointment.

• Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport filled out using capital letters in black ink.
• Affidavit of physical presence/parentage (PDF 668KB). This form must be filled out using capital letters in black ink.
• • Child's Venezuelan birth certificate. PLEASE NOTE: Venezuelan birth certificates MUST be "Apostilled". You may find the instructions for getting an apostille here. More information can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. (Hague Convention Apostille) (PDF 40.1KB).
• Child's passport issued by Venezuela or other foreign country if available.
• Hospital’s Certification of Live Birth.
• Valid U.S. passport (s) of American citizen parent (s). Mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are NOT acceptable as proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Currently valid photo ID (if recognizable) of the non-U.S. citizen parent issued by a government entity, such as a valid Venezuelan cedula, a Venezuelan or other foreign passport. Mutilated, altered, or damaged identifications are NOT acceptable as proof of identity.
• Marriage certificate, if parents were married. Venezuelan marriage certificates (Acta de Matrimonio) must be the version issued by the local registrar. U.S. marriage certificate must have a raised seal.
• Divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate.  It is necessary to show documentation regarding the termination of all prior marriages.
• You must submit two color passport photos, size 2 inches x 2 inches
  (5 cm x 5 cm), taken within the last six months. The photos must have a white background. The photos cannot have any visible grain or dots from the printing process. The photos must have a glossy finish.
• Documents that will certify U.S. parent's physical presence in the United States. School, college or university transcripts, old U.S. passports, certified true job letters or military records can constitute physical presence proof. Income tax records or Social Security reports tend to substantiate some presence, but they DO NOT necessarily satisfy the requirement. 

NOTE: In certain cases, the consular officer may require that you present additional documentation after reviewing your application, such as medical records from the hospital or clinic where the child was born; invoice from the hospital, pre-natal and post-natal care records, photos of the mother pregnant with the child, etc. If it is determined that there is insufficient evidence of a biological relationship between the U.S. citizen and the child, DNA testing may be required.  Testing must be done by an Embassy panel physician approved by the Centers for Disease Control and must be performed in the presence of an ACS Unit staff member.  Additional information will be provided to applicants who require testing, but please be advised that any testing that does not conform to Embassy requirements cannot be accepted.

Unless deceased, the presence of the parents, along with that of the applicant, is expected.

The passport fee is $135.00 for first-time applicants. For additional please see Payment Options.

 If after reading this information you believe your child has a claim to U.S. citizenship please click here to set up an appointment.

Please be advised that you must set up an appointment using the “Report the birth abroad of a child of a U.S. citizen and/or apply for the child's first passport, Report of Birth and Social Security Number” option and not the “Apply for a U.S. passport for the first time” option.