The embassy keeps delaying issuing a passport for my son born abroad. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process?
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You do also have the right to file with DHS — they actually oversee the embassy.
They have a form called the TRIP form, which you can access after answering a few questions on their website.
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I am being delayed on getting a passport for my son born abroad. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process?
I understand the urgency of your situation. Has your son’s birth abroad already been registered with the appropriate authorities?
Yes.
Have you submitted all the required documentation for your son’s passport application?
Yes.
Is there anything else the lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with the passport delay.
Yes.
Hi there! Welcome to AskALawyer. My name is Liz, and I’ve been an attorney for more than a decade. I’m here to assist with your concerns.
So I can best help — do you know what is causing the delay?
No, I don’t. This is my third time applying, and it seems as though they always find something small to delay me. I feel like it’s done on purpose. For some reason, they say there isn’t enough evidence — like proof of living in the U.S. for over 5 years.
Is your child in the U.S. currently?
No, he is in Ethiopia.
Thank you for clarifying. Was the CRBA filed?
I am married and in the immigration process with his mother.
Got it, thanks. Were you a U.S. citizen when the child was born?
Yes, born and raised in Florida.
When the child was born, did you try to file the Consular Report of Birth Abroad?
Yes. It was 2020, and COVID was in full effect — the Embassy was closed, so I was delayed. I filed and was rejected because they said I didn’t have adequate proof of living in the U.S. for 5 years, so I had to resubmit.
I did that in November, and I haven’t received an appointment. I have a workmate who also filed around a month ago and had his interview two weeks later.
May I ask, where in the U.S. are you?
I’m actually in Qatar right now. I’m a contractor working abroad for the U.S. military. I’m from Florida.
Thank you for clarifying. Have you reached out to either of your Florida state senators? They could contact the Department of State on your behalf.
I have before, but not regarding this issue.
Maybe I’ll write them.
It may help. Your child’s citizenship isn’t supposed to take this long, as you were present in the U.S. after the age of 14.
Yes, I know. The problem is that you aren’t working with U.S. citizens — it’s Ethiopian locals working there in those departments, and they control the paperwork and evaluate whether it’s sufficient or not.
You do also have the right to file with DHS — they actually oversee the embassy.
They have a form called the TRIP form, which you can access after answering a few questions on their website.
Is that the Department of Homeland Security?
That’s correct.
Ok, I will give it a shot. Thank you.
