The US Embassy in Yerushalayim has been closed since March except (to the best of my knowledge) for emergency passports and mail-in passport renewals.
I know there are many people who have been waiting impatiently for the most basic of US citizenship documentation; consular report of birth abroad, passport, Social Security number.
You may be wondering (but if you clicked on this thread chances are you are not) why this may be a time-sensitive issue for more than a few people. As a tax preparer I can tell you that many people have lost, or are at serious risk of losing, tax benefits on their 2019 tax returns because of the inability to obtain these documents. In order to qualify for Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit (as well as some other credits) a child who was a US citizen during 2019 must have a Social Security number issued by the due date (July 15, 2020) or extended due date (October 15, 2020 if extension was applied for) of the 2019 tax return. In addition, in order for a child to qualify for $500 EIP (coronavirus stimulus payment) a child who is a US citizen in 2020 must have a Social Security number issued by the due date (April 15, 2021 or June 15, 2021 depending on location) or extended due date (October 15, 2021 if extension will be applied for) of the 2020 tax return. In "normal" times it takes many months to receive a SSN applied for at the US Embassy in Israel. Before applying for a SSN the child must have (or have applied for) a CRBA (consular report of birth abroad) and a passport.
I have asked the Embassy about the possibility of obtaining a CRBA and first-time passport during this time. More than a month has passed without a response.
I asked the FBU department at the Jerusalem US Embassy about applying for a SSN and they said it can be done by mail. Without at least the CRBA and a passport, it cannot be done at all.
I think if anyone has actual experience or tips on this topic it may be helpful to many US citizens living here.
