I'm planning on going to the Consulate on Monday to submit my kids' applications for Consular Report of Birth Abroad. We're applying for the SSNs at the same time. In the instruction section, it says that we may apply for their US passports in lieu of the Consular Reports of Birth Abroad at a passport acceptance agency if we prefer. I also remember being told during our last visit to the Consulate that we could apply for their passports if we like. However, in the application (DS-11), it asks for their SSNs, which we obviously don't have as we're just now applying for documentation of their US citizenship. (Using the online form, it won't even let me proceed without entering a SSN.)

It would seem to me, then, that applying for their passports isn't possible until we've obtained their SSNs, correct?

Correct... they need SSNs for their passport applications.

Jen

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100206070
RM 00206.070 SSNs for Passport Applications

Passport applications contain a space for the applicant's SSN. Applicants question whether or not an entry is mandatory in this space. Internal Revenue Code 26 USC 6039E requires a passport applicant to provide his or her name and SSN. The Department of State must routinely provide this information to the IRS. Any applicant who fails to provide the required information is subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the IRS. If an individual has not yet been assigned an SSN, an entry of zeros is permitted.

Thanks for the info... that's what I figured. Guess we didn't really need to get the kids' pictures taken so soon, but at least they're done. We'll just use them to get the passports as soon as we get the SSNs.