Author Topic: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19  (Read 5725 times)

Offline Jack out of the box

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CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« on: July 25, 2020, 07:21:59 PM »
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.

Offline Alexsei

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2020, 02:44:09 PM »
Same situation here in Montreal
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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2020, 04:07:34 AM »
Same situation here in Montreal
You might at least be able to drive across the border (if it's open) and get a SSN in NYS though I don't know if you'll have enough documentation for the SSN.

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2020, 01:08:55 PM »
You might at least be able to drive across the border (if it's open) and get a SSN in NYS though I don't know if you'll have enough documentation for the SSN.

IIMU that once you get other forms of citizenship proof i.e. passport/SSN you can no longer get a CRBA, although I don't know if that's a problem in the long run
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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2020, 04:46:51 PM »
IIMU that once you get other forms of citizenship proof i.e. passport/SSN you can no longer get a CRBA, although I don't know if that's a problem in the long run
How does that make sense? A CRBA is pretty much your US birth certificate.

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2021, 11:30:13 PM »
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.
Any update on this? Thank you!

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2021, 01:28:22 AM »
Any update on this? Thank you!
Check on the embassy websites for both Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv. A few weeks ago (before round 3 of Covid heated up) Yerushalayim opened appointments which were immediately snatched up. (Someone I know actually got one.) Tel Aviv was saying that you can book by email and I know at least one person who was successful with that.

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2021, 03:51:03 PM »
Any link to the embassy websites at both locations?
Is it possible to get a social now?

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2021, 02:49:37 AM »
Any link to the embassy websites at both locations?
Is it possible to get a social now?
https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/birth/scheduling-appointment/
You can apply for SSN by mail through the embassy.

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2021, 03:25:22 AM »
https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/birth/scheduling-appointment/
You can apply for SSN by mail through the embassy.
any idea how long they take to return the passport and CRBA?

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2021, 02:55:07 AM »
any idea how long they take to return the passport and CRBA?
No. Sorry.

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2021, 06:14:18 AM »
any idea how long they take to return the passport and CRBA?
Did it a month ago
The passport and docs they returned 2 days after they got it

Offline duvy hochhauser

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #14 on: June 18, 2021, 09:50:13 AM »
boruch hashem i had a very hard time getting CRBA appointments in yerushalayim or TLV
and i found this guy who got me appointments for all my kids and guess what i got already all the stimulus checks!!
i referred many friends to him and he helped them all.
i dont know what this guy does but he gets for people many appointments.
i heard that he can get appointments as well in London and in Montreal
if there are any more yidden who need such help i am posting his email address.
thankyouhashem3@gmail.com
wishing you all much success
Gut shabbos to everyone

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #15 on: June 18, 2021, 10:41:46 AM »
boruch hashem i had a very hard time getting CRBA appointments in yerushalayim or TLV
and i found this guy who got me appointments for all my kids and guess what i got already all the stimulus checks!!
i referred many friends to him and he helped them all.
i dont know what this guy does but he gets for people many appointments.
i heard that he can get appointments as well in London and in Montreal
if there are any more yidden who need such help i am posting his email address.
thankyouhashem3@gmail.com
wishing you all much success
Gut shabbos to everyone
What does he charge?

Offline elihak7

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #16 on: June 18, 2021, 11:20:08 AM »
I got appt for passport renewal within 3 days of 1st email sent.

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Re: CRBA, Passport, SSN applications in Israel during Covid-19
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2023, 06:48:44 PM »
So the consulate now sends instructions to open a MyTravelGov account and apply for a "eCRBA" only problem is that no matter what I try I can't login to my newly created (and activated) account, I get "Sorry, the identification you entered was not recognized. Please try again."
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