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How to Apply
You can now apply for a CRBA electronically at the American Embassy in Harare! This new online feature allows U.S. citizen parents to complete a CRBA application online, upload all required documents, and submit payment prior to the in-person interview.
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is a formal document certifying the acquisition of United States citizenship at birth for a person born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). United States non-citizen nationals are also eligible for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, using the non-citizen option.
CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday. We recommend that parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth.
To be eligible to apply for a CRBA online, you MUST answer all the following criteria with YES.
If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you MUST apply by completing a paper application (DS-2029).
Do you wish to apply electronically for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (eCRBA)? Read below:
Yes, I wish to apply using an electronic application (I acknowledge that I must allow five business days between my payment and the appointment to use this option). If applicant clicks Yes: The online application for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) will allow parents to fill out an application online, upload required documents, and submit an online payment of $100 prior to the in-person interview. Before you begin the online CRBA application, however, please read through the CRBA checklist carefully (and consider printing it out) to help ensure you have all of the required documentation ready to upload and ready to take with you on the day of your interview. Once you have familiarized yourself with or printed out the requirements described above, create a MyTravelGov account using the link below to get started on your CRBA application and make your online payment. MyTravelGov is a secure, encrypted portal. Click below for further details.
We are here to help!
Other Important Information
Note: If you prefer to submit a paper-based application, please follow post procedures here: https://common.usembassy.gov/en/crba/
Passport applications and Social Security Card applications must be completed and submitted separately.
Please note that an application for a Social Security Number can only be submitted after receiving the original Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Passport. To obtain a Social Security Number for your child, see further details here: https://zw.usembassy.gov/services/#wizard
To reduce introduction and spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, CDC issued an Order effective January 26, 2021. It requires all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested for COVID-19 infection no more than 1 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. For more information on this testing requirement, see the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions.
As conditions related to COVID-19 have allowed, The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe is able to offer a few appointments for routine American Citizen services on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To schedule an appointment for a passport service for U.S. Citizens, please use this online reservation system.
To reserve an appointment for notarial services, please follow this link.
(Note, the appointment systems linked above are only for people seeking to renew an American passport or needing other services for American citizens, or for those needing notarials. Anyone who makes a reservation in these systems in order to enter the embassy for a visa interview will be refused entrance. Instead, visa applicants should follow the instructions for making an appointment on our Visas web page.)
If you are unable to find an appointment and your situation is an emergency, including emergency passport services, or for other inquiries, including Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, please email consularharare@state.gov or call the U.S. Embassy at 0867 701 1000.
Full validity passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad are being processed but please continue to expect longer processing times. If you have previously applied for a passport or citizenship service, you should expect significant delays and can check on the status of this service by emailing consularharare@state.gov.
The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe is offering emergency appointments only for passport and citizenship services that require an in-person appearance. Please be aware that emergency appointment availability is extremely limited.
International Parental Child Abduction
International parental child abduction is the removal or retention of a child outside their country of habitual residence in breach of another parent or guardian’s custody rights.
One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law. More informaton available at Travel.State.gov.
When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs.
Emergency Financial Assistance
The availability of cash from ATMs in Zimbabwe is not guaranteed. Americans in Zimbabwe who find themselves in need of emergency financial assistance should contact the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Harare at (+263)-867-701-100 or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (+1) 202-501-4444.
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
If you reside in Zimbabwe and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in London. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at https://uk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/federal-benefits/ .
Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are a U.S. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Legal assistance Medical Assistance Evacuation Preparedness Identity Theft Information for Travelers Local ResourcesThe U.S. Embassy in Harare assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
Medical Assistance
For a list of medical facilities and specialists, contact ConsularHarare@state.gov. The list is not meant to be exhaustive or definitive nor does it represent either a guarantee of competence or endorsement by the Department of Sate or the American embassy. It does indicate that they have been utilized by the American community in the past. If you do require hospitalization or have been in an accident, please contact the American Embassy in Harare as soon as practical by telephone at 0867-701-1000 from a Zimbabwean mobile phone or +263-867-701-1000 when dialing from the United States, or by e-mail to consularharare@state.gov (this e-mail is available 24 hours per day but only checked during business hours).
Private American citizens should always be aware of changing circumstances and make a personal decision to depart voluntarily if they feel uncomfortable with the situation. In the event of an evacuation, the USG first uses commercial transport for official personnel and recommends private American citizens do the same.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, social security number, or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.
We urge everyone to read the new rules regarding travel to South Africa with minor children.
For up-to-date information about visiting Zimbabwe, please review the country specific information for Zimbabwe on the Department of State website at travel.state.gov
Every child benefits from a loving home in deeply profound ways. Intercountry adoption has made this permanently possible for hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. When children cannot remain with a relative, and new parents within their communities cannot be found, intercountry adoption opens another pathway to children to receive the care, security, and love that a permanent family can provide.
Births
A child born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if the parent(s) meets the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
Please call: 0867-701-1000
Outside of Office Hours, contact: 00 263 772 559 727
Outside of Zimbabwe: 00-263-867-701-1000
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance
