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Registering Your Child as an American Citizen

by the US Consulate

Required Documents:


Children being registered as US citizens must be brought to the Consulate by the US citizen parent along with the following original documents:

Child’s Panamanian birth certificate --- The COPIA INTEGRA ("complete" on legal size paper with revenue stamps) is obtained at the Panamanian Civil Registry.

• Evidence of parent (s) US Citizenship -- this may be in the form of original US:

• Birth certificates, US Passports, Certificates of Citizenship, or Naturalization Certificates. (Military IDs are NOT proof of US citizenship.)

• Parents’ marriage certificate.

• Evidence of dissolution of previous marriages --- If either parent has been previously married, submit original divorce decrees or death certificates.

• If only one parent is an US citizen (and was not employed by the US government at the time the baby was born), evidence of physical presence in the US.

For children born before November 14, 1986: The citizen parent must have been physically present in the US (or in government service) at least ten (10) years, five (5) of which were after the age of 14.

For children born after November 14, 1986: The period of residence for transmission of citizenship is five (5) years, at least two (2) after the age of 14.

Evidence may consist of school transcripts, income tax returns, employment and military service records, proof of government service abroad, or evidence of time spent abroad as an unmarried dependent son or daughter, living in the same household, of an US government employee.

Evidence of US government employment at the time of the child’s birth (if applicable) --- evidence should consist of a letter on letterhead which give dates of employment and date of arrival in Panama (and departure, if applicable)


Fee:


The fee if $40.00. Applications for passports may be received at the same date and cost an additional $40.00.


Additional Requirements When Child is Born Out-of-Wedlock:


• Both parents must be present along with the child for the interview.

• The US citizen parents must complete and "Affidavit of Parentage and Physical Presence".

• The alien mother must complete and "Affidavit by Mother".

• The US citizen father must submit documentary evidence that he was in Panama at the time of the baby’s conception.

• Single US mother must present evidence that she was physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of one year prior to the birth of the child.


NOTE:


If the Consular officer is not convinced that a blood link Exists between the child and the US citizen parents, other documents may berequired, or a genetic blood test recommended. The Department of State recommends that registrations be done as soon after the birth as possible.

Please note that only original documents are acceptable. For children registration, the Consulate is opened to the public from 08:00 - 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, except US and local holidays. You may also request the Social Security number for your child, but its delivery to an overseas location may take 6 to 8 months.


© 2002 by The Panama News
All Rights Reserved

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editor@ThePanamaNews.com
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