For a child born in the United States to Sri Lankan parents, two documents matter and they are issued together as a pair: the consular birth certificate and the citizenship certificate. A minor applying for a first passport must produce both, or the receipt showing the citizenship certificate has been paid for.
Quick facts
Both parents sign the consent for a minor’s file. Where they cannot attend together, they sign before a notary, and notarised copies of the bio pages of both parents’ passports go in as well.
Fees breakdown
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular birth certificate | Published tariff | For children born abroad |
| Citizenship certificate | Published tariff | Required for a first passport |
| National identity card | Charged in Sri Lanka | Through the registration department |
| U.S. birth certificate | $15–$50 | State vital records office |
| Return by courier | $20 | Optional but advisable |
Sri Lankan civil certificates themselves come from the registrar general in Sri Lanka, and the consular division of the foreign ministry certifies copies for use abroad.
How to file
- Order the child’s U.S. birth certificate from the state vital records office.
- Complete the consular birth registration with the embassy.
- Apply for the citizenship certificate at the same time.
- Have both parents sign the consent, notarised if they cannot attend together.
- Include notarised copies of both parents’ passport bio pages.
- Apply for the child’s own passport once the certificates exist.
Required documents
- Child’s U.S. birth certificate.
- Both parents’ Sri Lankan passports and bio page copies, notarised where required.
- Parents’ marriage certificate.
- Consent letter signed by both parents.
- Completed forms in block capitals.
- Money order or certified check for the fees.
Where to file
At the consular division of the embassy in Washington, by post or in person.
No offices currently listed.
Additional notes
Do both certificates together
The birth certificate alone does not support a first passport. Applying for the citizenship certificate at the same time avoids a second round.
The national identity card
Dual citizens are advised to obtain a new Sri Lankan identity card through the registration department, which matters for banking and property there.
Names and spellings
Sinhala and Tamil names romanise in several ways. Fix the spelling once and use it across every document.
Keep copies
The embassy is not responsible for documents lost in the post, and these are hard to replace.