My wife and I just had our first baby here in Chiang Mai. I have an appointment at the US Consulate at the end of the month to register the birth, apply for the baby's US citizenship, etc.

I have filled (or am filling out) Form DS-2029 (application for CRB) and DS-5507 (Affidavit of Parentage), and have had the Thai birth certificate translated into English by one of the "approved" translation services and original marriage certificate and English translation. I have read this on the State Department website:

Birth Abroad to One Citizen and One Alien Parent in Wedlock

A child born abroad to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under Section 301(g) of the INA provided the U.S. citizen parent was physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for the time period required by the law applicable at the time of the child's birth. (For birth on or after November 14, 1986, a period of five years physical presence, two after the age of fourteen, is required. For birth between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, a period of ten years, five after the age of fourteen, is required for physical presence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions to transmit U.S. citizenship to the child.) The U.S. citizen parent must be genetically related to the child to transmit U.S. citizenship.

Which I take it to mean that as long as I can prove I was in the US up to age 16 (two years after the age of 14) that we shouldn't have an issue, i.e., high school transcripts, etc. I lived in the US up to 2009 (born 1972 in Boston).

My question is has anyone else dealt with the Consulate in Chiang Mai on registering a birth? I have dealt with them on other issues, and always found them helpful and professional. I saw one post from someone registering a birth via the Embassy in BKK and was asked to submit DNA testing - which I know they can ask for. But am curious on other experiences and what to really expect as far at the Consulate wanting proof I met the requirements to pass on my citizenship.

Thanks!

I recently got my baby girl's US passport and SS card done in Bangkok. She was 7 mos. old. The DNA testing comes into play if the baby doesn't have western features or if you wait till the baby is older. I have a US passport but was born in Europe with no birth certificate. They quizzed me about my naturalized citizenship but wasn't a problem.

I had gotten a new passport which didn't show me being in Thailand at time of conception so I had to go Immigration office and get a printout of my times my old passport had been stamped into Thailand. All in all a pretty painless process.

I didn't have to prove anything about when I was in the US during my teen years. The people who did the translations did all the applications and set up the appointments for me. That made the whole process easier.

I recently got my baby girl's US passport and SS card done in Bangkok. She was 7 mos. old. The DNA testing comes into play if the baby doesn't have western features or if you wait till the baby is older. I have a US passport but was born in Europe with no birth certificate. They quizzed me about my naturalized citizenship but wasn't a problem.

I had gotten a new passport which didn't show me being in Thailand at time of conception so I had to go Immigration office and get a printout of my times my old passport had been stamped into Thailand. All in all a pretty painless process.

I didn't have to prove anything about when I was in the US during my teen years. The people who did the translations did all the applications and set up the appointments for me. That made the whole process easier.

Thanks for the reply. I figured the DNA testing was for "older" babies and other issues. I don't think there should be a problem with us, I just like to worry! A friend of mine who is married to a non American said the same as you, more or less, he just went to the Embassy (in PNG not Thailand) and showed his passport and his own American birth cert and all was fine.

As I said, I just like to worry I think!

Okay. Just got back from the Consulate in Chiang Mai. Appointment was for 230PM and we were done by 330PM; could have been quicker, but there was another couple ahead of us registering a birth as well. Had filled out all the documents before going to the Consulate; however, our printer decided not to cooperate and we ended up having to redo the paperwork at the Consulate ... used their computer/printer in the ACS since my handwriting is horrid.

Paperwork reviewed and paid the $100 ... waited to go over the paperwork and questions with a Consular Officer. Very nice guy, looked it over ... asked a few questions ... looked at the baby ... stamped us and should have her CREA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) in two weeks. We ran out of time this week to get pictures done, so we are going back in two days to apply for her first passport and SSN card.

All in all, as always, the Consulate in Chiang Mai was very professional and helpful.