Consular Notification thingy of Birth Abroad

Let me step in, because I was in the exact same boat.  There is not a problem with getting the social security card.  I didn't think I'd be able to do it either because I hadn't changed mine yet, but I had no problem at all with it for DD1.  I don't know what that statement is referring to now, but I was reading too much into it.

One nice piece of information is that you can actually just take care of your own SS# while you're there too.  I think I printed out the application to change my name on my SS card, but I don't think I needed to.  I asked about it when I got up to the window, and they just had me go to a different window on the side of the room when I was done with DD's stuff.  It was easy as can be and now I have all of our passports and SS#s up to date.  Don't skip it, just take your marriage certificate, take care of it the same day and save yourself a trip.

So, I sent a quick email to the embassy to ask them about the SS card and they said that the application for the girls cards asks for my maiden name in any event, so this isn't a problem. So I'll be able to get theirs no problem and get mine sorted in my own time.

we've booked Thomas for the 26th of July

Just booked the girls for the 5th August. I'm quite excited about it now. We'll be staying with a friend who we never get to see.

Anyone who has been recent-ish, how long were you there for? If we have a 9 am appointment should we be out by noon?

I'm feeling really stressed out about all this lately. I don't know why but I kept thinking I would get an email confirmation for the appt. I emailed the embassy to ask about it and they said I was supposed to print off the screen when I booked it. I can't remember if I did that and won't be able to check until tonight.

I'm hoping I did but who do I do if I didn't?

I never received the confirmation email, but I did take a screenshot of the confirmation page when I booked and brought that.  I'd email the embassy again and explain that you don't have the print out and see if they can send you something.  The booking page clearly says they'll send an email, and I was concerned when ours didn't turn up.  They had all of our names at the check-in point out front, though.  I don't think I showed my screenshot print out.

We went in late April and were out in under 2 hours total.  I posted in one of the other threads at the time, but I think it was even less than 90 minutes. 

I never received the confirmation email, but I did take a screenshot of the confirmation page when I booked and brought that.  I'd email the embassy again and explain that you don't have the print out and see if they can send you something.  The booking page clearly says they'll send an email, and I was concerned when ours didn't turn up.  They had all of our names at the check-in point out front, though.  I don't think I showed my screenshot print out.

We went in late April and were out in under 2 hours total.  I posted in one of the other threads at the time, but I think it was even less than 90 minutes. 

That's what I thought it said and I've been waiting for the email since.

Thanks for your response. I'm going to email back and say as much and see if they can help. You wouldn't happen to have the address to send the documentation in advance, would you?

That's what I thought it said and I've been waiting for the email since.

Thanks for your response. I'm going to email back and say as much and see if they can help. You wouldn't happen to have the address to send the documentation in advance, would you?

I just looked at the confirmation form I saved -- it did say to print it and bring it along, so I am betting you did!  It definitely doesn't hurt to email them back, though, just to be sure. 

I didn't send the documentation in advance, so I don't have the address -- sorry!  I didn't realize it was possible until too late.  I did have everything filled out (and a spare blank copy on hand) before we went.

 

I just looked at the confirmation form I saved -- it did say to print it and bring it along, so I am betting you did!  It definitely doesn't hurt to email them back, though, just to be sure. 

Yes, I found a pdf of the document. Phew! I know it wouldn't have affected much but it really stressed me out today, to the point where I was almost in tears. I don't know why this whole process is stressing me out but it is. I think it's mostly the idea of having two squirming 16 month old girls waiting around for the appt and being in London with them. I know people do it but it's waaaay out of my comfort zone. Plus, not sure how we're going to get them there because our double buggies are not tube friendly.

We got there at twenty to nine and were walking out the door at eleven.  Didn't send anything ahead of time. 

We never got an email but I'd printed the confirmation page when I booked it.

We got there at twenty to nine and were walking out the door at eleven.  Didn't send anything ahead of time. 

We never got an email but I'd printed the confirmation page when I booked it.

Good to know, thank you. Our appt is at 9:30, so hopefully it'll be as quick as yours.

Good to know, thank you. Our appt is at 9:30, so hopefully it'll be as quick as yours.

Got there at about a quarter past nine (for 9:30 appt) and left at noon. With twins. I thought that was ok, actually.

If you have kids, it's not all that bad. They have a little corner with soft play stuff and some toys around. The toys are a bit rubbish and are broken or missing stuff or whatnot but it kept my girls entertained.

stupid question time:

what sort of envelope do i need to get at the post office for them to send the passport back in?

did this three years ago, but i'll be dipped if i can remember.

our appt is at 8.30 tuesday morning.

We used their DX service and they provided the envelope. (bloody should have too for the £16 they charged us)

I think you only need the US passport if you plan on actually staying in the US not just visiting.
I did the whole report of birth and passport thing in August. It was pretty easy though you do have to be in the embassy really early. There were loads of people there with babies too (you can pretty much start your own baby group for the day).

You do have to go to the embassy to do it and both parents have to go. If one of you isn't able to go you have to get a consent form from the other parent signed and notorized (spelling sorry). I didn't realize that and when I got there the woman let me do all the paperwork and gave me the form I needed for my hubby to sign and all I had to do was post it back in when it was done and they released my son's passport. I'm doing his British one next since I don't need to go to any appointments for that just send off paperwork.

Good luck

I think you only need the US passport if you plan on actually staying in the US not just visiting.

Unfortunately that's not true. Federal law states that all American citizens must travel in and out of the US on their American passports. So you'll have to have it if you're only visiting too.