DS-3065 Form Explained: Your Complete Guide to Affidavit of Parentage and Support

Table of Contents#

1. What Is the DS-5507 Form?
2. Who Needs to Complete the DS-5507 Form?
3. Key Eligibility Requirements
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the DS-5507
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
6. Submitting the Form: Where and How
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
8. Conclusion
9. References

---

What Is the DS-5507 Form?#

The DS-5507 Form is an affidavit issued by the U.S. Department of State. Its full title is Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage, and Support. The form serves several purposes:

• To document the U.S. citizen parent's physical presence or residence in the United States, which is required to establish that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth.
• To establish parentage for a child born abroad, particularly when the child was born out of wedlock and is claiming citizenship through the father.
• To confirm the father's commitment to financially support the child until age 18 (required for children born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen father).

The DS-5507 is a supporting form used alongside Form DS-2029 (Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States). The DS-2029 is the primary application for a CRBA, while the DS-5507 provides additional evidence of the parent's physical presence and parentage when needed.

---

Who Needs to Complete the DS-5507 Form?#

You may need to fill out the DS-5507 if you're a U.S. citizen parent in any of these scenarios:

1. One parent is not a U.S. citizen. When only one parent is a U.S. citizen, that parent must prove they meet the physical presence requirements to transmit citizenship.
2. The U.S. citizen parent cannot attend the consular appointment in person. The absent parent completes the DS-5507 to document their physical presence in the United States.
3. Your child was born out of wedlock and the father is a U.S. citizen. The father must sign the DS-5507 at a U.S. embassy or consulate, before a U.S. notary public, or before a local official who registers births or administers oaths.

Note: The DS-5507 is used for children under 18. CRBA applications must be filed before the child's 18th birthday. The form is estimated to take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

---

Key Eligibility Requirements#

Before filling out the DS-5507, ensure you meet these criteria:

1. U.S. Citizenship or Nationality: You must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen U.S. national, with valid proof (e.g., U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate).
2. Physical Presence in the United States: To transmit U.S. citizenship to a child born abroad, the U.S. citizen parent must generally demonstrate:
   • At least 5 years of physical presence or residence in the United States
   • At least 2 of those years must have been after the parent's 14th birthday
   • Periods spent abroad with the U.S. military or government may count toward physical presence
3. Parent-Child Relationship: You must have a biological parent-child relationship with the child. For adoptive parents, different documentation may be required.
4. Age of the Child: The CRBA application (and associated DS-5507) must be filed before the child turns 18.

---

Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the DS-5507#

The DS-5507 consists of three parts. Follow these steps to complete it accurately:

Part I: Affiant's Information (All Applicants Complete This Section)#

• Enter your full legal name and marital status (married, previously married, or single).
• Indicate your U.S. citizenship or nationality status and how you acquired it (birth in the U.S., naturalization, or birth abroad to U.S. citizen parents). Provide dates and locations.
• List your biological child(ren)'s full names, dates of birth, and places of birth.
• Document your physical presence or residence in the United States with dates, locations, and purposes of stay (e.g., residence, employment, studies, vacation).
• Document your physical presence or residence abroad, including employer name if working abroad.
• Provide information about the other biological parent, including their citizenship status and physical presence in the U.S. (if applicable).

Part II: Father's Signature (For Children Born Out of Wedlock Only)#

• If the child was born out of wedlock and is claiming U.S. citizenship through the father, the biological father must sign this section.
• By signing, the father confirms he is the biological parent and agrees to provide financial support until the child reaches age 18.
• This part must be signed before a Consular Officer, Passport Specialist, or Designated Consular/Acceptance Agent.

Part III: Oath and Signature (All Applicants Complete This Section)#

• Swear or affirm that all statements in the affidavit are true and complete.
• Provide your current street address and telephone number.
• Sign the form in the presence of a Consular Officer, Passport Specialist, or Designated Consular/Acceptance Agent who will administer the oath.

Important Notes:

• Parts II and III must be signed before a consular officer or other authorized official at the time the oath is sworn.
• A consular officer may require additional evidence of your biological relationship to the child and/or evidence of your physical presence in the United States.
• Use English for all entries (translate foreign documents if needed).
• False statements are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under 18 USC 1001.

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid#

To prevent delays or rejection of your application, avoid these common errors:

1. Insufficient Physical Presence Documentation: Failing to provide adequate evidence of time spent in the United States. Gather documents such as school transcripts, employment records, tax returns, utility bills, and military records.
2. Incomplete Information: Leaving sections blank or providing incorrect details (e.g., misspelling the child's name or incorrect birth dates).
3. Not Signing Before an Authorized Official: Parts II and III must be signed before a Consular Officer, Passport Specialist, or other authorized official. A simple notarization may not be sufficient in all cases.
4. Missing Supporting Documents: Forgetting to attach copies of your U.S. passport or citizenship proof, the child's birth certificate, or evidence of physical presence.
5. Incorrect Form Version: Ensure you are using the current version of the DS-5507. Check the U.S. Department of State's website or eforms.state.gov for the latest version.

---

Submitting the Form: Where and How#

The DS-5507 must be submitted as part of your child's CRBA application package:

1. Abroad: Submit it to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate when applying for the child's CRBA. If you are the absent parent, you can complete the form, have it notarized, and send it to the parent attending the appointment.
2. In the U.S.: If you are completing the form domestically, have it notarized by a U.S. notary public and send it to the person attending the consular appointment abroad.

Required supporting documents to include:

• A copy of your U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
• A copy of the child's foreign birth certificate (translated into English if necessary).
• Evidence of physical presence in the United States (school records, employment records, tax documents, utility bills, military records, etc.).
• If applicable, evidence of the other parent's U.S. citizenship.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)#

1. What is the difference between DS-5507 and DS-2029?#

Form DS-2029 is the primary application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). Form DS-5507 is a supplementary affidavit used when the consular officer needs additional evidence of the U.S. citizen parent's physical presence in the United States, or when a father needs to establish parentage and support for a child born out of wedlock.

2. How much physical presence in the U.S. is required?#

Generally, the U.S. citizen parent must demonstrate at least 5 years of physical presence or residence in the United States, with at least 2 of those years after their 14th birthday. Time spent abroad with the U.S. military or government may count toward this requirement.

3. Do both parents need to complete a DS-5507?#

Not necessarily. Only the U.S. citizen parent transmitting citizenship typically needs to complete the DS-5507. If both parents are U.S. citizens and one is present at the consular appointment, the form may not be required.

4. Can I complete the DS-5507 outside the United States?#

Yes. Parts II and III must be signed before a U.S. Consular Officer, Passport Specialist, or Designated Consular/Acceptance Agent at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

5. What if one parent is deceased?#

If the deceased parent was the U.S. citizen parent transmitting citizenship, you may still be able to apply for a CRBA by providing alternative evidence of their U.S. citizenship and physical presence. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for guidance.

---

Conclusion#

The DS-5507 Form is a vital supporting document for U.S. citizen parents seeking to establish their child's citizenship through a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. By understanding its purpose, eligibility requirements, and proper completion steps, you can streamline the application process and avoid costly delays.

Always double-check the form for accuracy, ensure you have all supporting documents, and verify the latest guidelines on the U.S. Department of State's website before submitting. If you have questions, reach out to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.

---

References#

• Form DS-5507, Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage, and Support (PDF)
• Birth of U.S. Citizens and Non-Citizen Nationals Abroad (CRBA Information)
• Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form DS-2029, PDF)