Information Regarding CRBA Processing and the New Form FS-240

January 24, 2011

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is issuing this Warden Message to inform the U.S. citizen community in Haiti that The Department of State is pleased to announce the introduction of a redesigned Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, or Form FS-240).  The CRBA is an official record confirming that a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents acquired U.S. citizenship at birth.  It serves as proof of citizenship.  The redesigned CRBA has been updated with a variety of state-of-the-art security features to help prevent fraud and identity theft.

The new CRBA will be printed at the passport agencies in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and New Orleans, Louisiana, using information provided by the American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit at the Embassy.  The ACS unit will still document the citizenship of children born overseas to U.S. citizen parents.  By centralizing production and eliminating the distribution of controlled blank stock throughout the world, this new process will help ensure uniform quality and lessen the possibility of fraud.  Additionally, the Department will no longer issue the DS-1350 Certification of Report of Birth Abroad.  Instead, the Department will simply provide new FS-240s in response to requests for additional, replacement, or amended CRBAs.

In order to upgrade our systems for this change, the American Citizen Services Unit suspended CRBA adjudication from January 1 through January 18, 2011. CRBA applications submitted during that time will be adjudicated after January 18. While the ACS Unit has resumed scheduling appointments for CRBA processing, the Department will not print any new CRBAs until their systems are upgraded. ACS will announce the resumption of CRBA printing by the Department when they are ready to do so. For inquiries about the new CRBA Form FS-240, please send a message to ACSPaP@state.gov.

Meanwhile, U.S. citizens are advised to maintain an increased level of vigilance when traveling in and around Port-au-Prince.  They should be aware of their surroundings at all times and are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy.  They can do so at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy's website the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs' website www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

For emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section, located at Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41, Tabarre, Haiti; telephone (509) 2-229-8000; after hours emergency telephone (509) 2-229-8000; ACS Unit fax (509) 2-229-8027; and e-mail at acspap@state.gov.

American Citizen Services Unit (ACS)

U.S. Embassy, Port-au-Prince

Blvd 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41

Tabarre, Haiti