There are two foreign service forms that record births abroad of a U.S. citizen. Either
one is acceptable evidence of age and U.S. citizenship for SSA purposes. If a claimant
possesses either form, it will not be necessary to request a public or religious record
of birth. The forms are:
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FS-240 (Report
of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States)
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Reports the birth abroad of a child of a U.S. citizen
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Is a certification of the facts of birth based upon the affidavit of the person furnishing
the information and supporting documentary evidence
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Is not prepared in any case in which child has reached age 5 unless prior authorization
is received from Department of State.
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FS-545 (Certification of Birth)
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Is based on the information shown on the FS-240
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Is given to the individual reporting the child's birth
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Does not contain as much identifying information as FS-240, but is evidence that child's
birth has been registered at the post
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Is considered by the Department of State as evidence of age and U.S. citizenship.
See GN 00308.235 for instructions on how to request these records.