Birth Abroad Forms Get a Federal Paperwork Tune-Up
Published Date: 10/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of State is updating two important passport-related forms: one for reporting a U.S. citizen’s birth abroad and another for confirming physical presence, parentage, and support. If you’re a U.S. citizen or parent applying for these services, you might see some changes soon. The government wants your feedback by December 22, 2026, to make sure the forms work smoothly without costing extra time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Form DS-2029 certifies U.S. citizenship
Form DS-2029 (Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad) is used to certify that a person born abroad acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. The collection is associated with OMB Control Number 1405-0011 and covers an estimated 113,212 respondents.
Form DS-5507 checks nationality transmission
Form DS-5507 (Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage, and Support) is used to determine whether a U.S. national parent met the statutory physical presence or residence requirements to transmit U.S. nationality to a child born abroad. The collection is associated with OMB Control Number 1405-0187 and covers an estimated 162,161 respondents.
Paternity acknowledgment requires financial support
The DS-5507 may be used to acknowledge paternity under oath and, under 8 U.S.C. 1409(a), requires a U.S. citizen father’s written agreement to provide financial support for a child born abroad out of wedlock. The form’s average completion time is estimated at 30 minutes with 162,161 respondents.
Time burden to complete DS-2029
Completing the DS-2029 form is estimated to take an average of 60 minutes per response, with an estimated 113,212 responses and a total estimated burden time of 113,212 hours. Responding is required to obtain or retain the related benefit.
eCRBA online filing and status features
The DS-2029 application is available online as eCRBA, which lets applicants enter data, upload required documents, pay fees, schedule an appointment, and check application status. The in-person consular process remains an option at embassies or consulates.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20079, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Review of the U.S. Munitions List and Related Definitions and License Exemptions
The U.S. Department of State wants to update the rules that control the export of military gear and tech to focus only on the most sensitive stuff. They’re making the list clearer, removing some items, and adding new ways to skip licenses for certain exports. If you deal with defense exports, get ready to review these changes and send your thoughts by November 30, 2026!
2026-17655, Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas
The Department proposes to amend 22 CFR 51.21 by consolidating requirements for persons applying by mail and online in the United States and overseas. This proposed change includes expanding online passport application availability to qualified applicants located in foreign countries. In addition, the Department is proposing to remove the requirement that an applicant's most recently issued passport must have a year or less of remaining validity to qualify to submit an online passport application. Finally, the Department is proposing technical corrections to 51.8(b) to change "on-line" to read "online" for consistency.
2026-04931, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services-Fee for Administrative Processing of Request for Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States
Good news for U.S. citizens and nationals who want to give up their citizenship! Starting April 13, 2026, the fee for processing a Certificate of Loss of Nationality drops from $2,350 to just $450. This big price cut makes it way easier and cheaper to handle this important paperwork at U.S. embassies and consulates.
2025-17851, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates-Visa Services Fee Changes
The Department of State is adding a $1 fee to enter the Diversity Visa lottery to share costs more fairly among all applicants. This means everyone who wants to try their luck at the visa lottery will pay a small fee upfront, instead of only winners paying later. The new fee will start when you register online, so get ready to pay a buck when you apply!
2025-14826, Visas: Visa Bond Pilot Program
The Department of State is launching a 12-month pilot program where some travelers applying for B-1/B-2 visas from certain countries might need to pay a bond up to $15,000. This applies to visitors from places with high visa overstays or special citizenship rules. The goal? To make sure folks follow visa rules and keep travel safe and fair.
2026-21695, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The Department of State is updating its Passport Services Records system, which helps prove U.S. identity for things like passports, jobs, and voting. Some new rules will take effect right away, but a few changes will open for public comments until November 23, 2026. If no big issues pop up, those changes will kick in right after, with no extra costs or delays.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21661, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; West Coast Region Groundfish Electronic Fish Ticket Program
NOAA is asking to keep using its electronic fish ticket system for West Coast groundfish fishing. This system helps fishing businesses quickly report their catch so managers can keep fish populations healthy. About 189 businesses spend just minutes submitting data, with no new costs or big changes planned.
Next: 2026-21663, Federal Seed Act Labeling and Enforcement; Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
The USDA wants to keep collecting info about seed labeling and testing to make sure seeds sold across states are honest and safe. They’re asking for more time and some updates to how they gather this info. Farmers, seed sellers, and anyone dealing with seeds should know comments are open until December 22, 2026, with no new fees involved.