Baby born abroad, do I need to change status or register?

[slamice 0]

My wife is going to have our baby very soon, I'd like to register our baby at the American Embassy in Japan. They are tough to reach without an appointment for questions, and their site isn't very clear on my case. The situation is slightly complicated:

- I'm an American citizen but haven't lived there more than five years, something the embassy specifies one of the parents must have done.

- The baby will be born in Japan, will initially be Japanese.

- My wife is Japanese, not American.

We'd like to move to America within the next year. Our plan is to get a greencard for my wife and have the baby become American through my parents, something I've asked in another article.

I'd like to register the baby / change my maritial status / anything that would help make the immigration process go faster in the long run. Any paper at all? Any way to help my family become American easier. Is there something I need or should fill out at the embassy?

[Mark88 183]

This might help you, I was in a similar situation:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/431566-our-story-crba-for-our-child-denied-entering-the-us-with-a-baby-transportation-letter-and-citizenship-through-the-cca/

If you get a green card for your wife, you will get one for your baby, too. Through that, your child becomes a USC through the CCA (read link above). You don't have to go through the grandparents process.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Was going to suggest consular birth abroad but Mark's experience is likely best

Edited November 13, 2014 by Transborderwife

[Mark88 183]

You register for a consular birth abroad http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/abroad/events-and-records/birth.html

No he can't. OP stated he does not meet the physical presence requirements.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

No he can't. OP stated he does not meet the physical presence requirements.

Realized that after the post then read your experience.

[slamice 0]

Thank you both, it was much appreciated.

[Mark88 183]

Thank you both, it was much appreciated.

Your welcome. What did you do now?

[slamice 0]

For a while we decided to stay in Japan. However I just got a job in the U.S. starting in August.

We're currently writing up the I-130 and G-325A and gathering the papers to submit for it. We have:

- Two I-130's, for my son and my wife

- Two G-325A's, for myself and my wife

Gathering these documents:

- Translated Marriage certificate

- My son's translated birth certificate

- Translated Common residence document

- A few Affadavits confirming my wife and I's relationship

Some questions come up:

- Does my son also need a G-325A?

- This is asking for my residence. So I need to file this once I'm in the U.S?

- Does my son need a passport photo too?