8 FAM 304.3
Acqusition of U.S. Citizenship at Birth - Assisted
Reproductive Technology
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/PPT/S/A)
8 FAM 304.3-1 (U) BIRTH ABROAD TO
A U.S. CITIZEN GESTATIONAL MOTHER WHO IS ALSO THE LEGAL MOTHER AT THE TIME SHE
GIVES BIRTH (Birth mother, but NOT genetic mother)
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
a. A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen gestational
mother who is also the legal parent of the child at the time of birth in the
location of birth, whose genetic parents are an anonymous egg donor and the
U.S. citizen husband of the gestational legal mother, is considered for
citizenship purposes to be a person born in wedlock of two U.S. citizens, with
a citizenship claim adjudicated under the Immigration and nationality Act (INA)
301(c).
b. A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen gestational
mother who is the legal parent of the child at the time of birth in the
location of birth, whose genetic parents are an anonymous sperm donor and the
U.S. citizen wife of the gestational legal mother, is considered for
citizenship purposes to be a person born in wedlock of two U.S. citizens, with
a citizenship claim adjudicated under INA 301(c).
c. A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen gestational
mother who is the legal parent of the child at the time of birth in the
location of birth, whose genetic parents are an anonymous egg donor and the
non-U.S. citizen husband of the gestational legal mother, is considered for
citizenship purposes to be a person born in wedlock of a U.S. citizen mother
and alien father, with a citizenship claim adjudicated under INA 301(g).
d. A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen gestational
mother who is the legal parent of the child at the time of birth in the
location of birth, and who is not married to the genetic mother or father of
the child at the time of the childs birth, is considered for citizenship
purposes to be a person born out of wedlock of a U.S. citizen mother, with a
citizenship claim adjudicated under INA 309(c).
8 FAM 304.3-2 BIRTH ABROAD TO A
SURROGATE OF A CHILD WHO IS THE GENETIC ISSUE OF A U.S. CITIZEN MOTHER AND/OR
U.S. CITIZEN FATHER
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
a. For purposes of this section, the term surrogate
refers to a woman who gives birth to a child, who is not the legal parent of
the child at the time of the childs birth in the location of the birth. In
such a case, the surrogates citizenship is irrelevant to the childs
citizenship analysis.
b. A child born abroad to a surrogate, whose genetic
parents are a U.S. citizen mother and her U.S. citizen spouse, is considered
for citizenship purposes to be a person born in wedlock of two U.S. citizen
parents, with a citizenship claim adjudicated under INA 301(c).
c. A child born abroad to a surrogate, whose genetic
parents are a U.S. citizen mother and anonymous sperm donor, is considered for
citizenship purposes to be a person born out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen
mother, with a citizenship claim adjudicated under INA 309(c). This is the
case regardless of whether the woman is married and regardless of whether her
spouse is the legal parent of the child at the time of birth.
d. A child born abroad to a surrogate, whose genetic
parents are a U.S. citizen mother and her non-U.S. citizen spouse, is
considered for citizenship purposes to be a person born in wedlock of a U.S.
citizen mother and alien spouse, with a citizenship claim adjudicated under INA
301(g).
e. A child born abroad to a surrogate, whose genetic
parents are a U.S. citizen father and his non-U.S. citizen spouse, is
considered for citizenship purposes to be a person born in wedlock of a U.S.
citizen father and alien spouse, with a citizenship claim adjudicated under INA
301(g).
f. A child born abroad to a surrogate, whose genetic
parents are a U.S. citizen father and anonymous egg donor, is considered for
citizenship purposes to be a person born out of wedlock of a U.S. citizen
father, with a citizenship claim adjudicated under INA 309(a). This is the
case regardless of whether the man is married and regardless of whether his
spouse is the legal parent of the child at the time of birth.
g. A child born abroad to a surrogate, whose genetic
parents are a U.S. citizen father and the surrogate (mother) who is not married
to the U.S. citizen father is considered for citizenship purposes to be a
person born out of wedlock of a U.S. citizen father, with a citizenship claim
adjudicated under INA 309(a). Note that in such a case, despite the genetic
and gestational connection, the surrogate mother is not the legal parent of the
child at the time of birth, usually pursuant to a surrogacy agreement.
8 FAM 304.3-3 Anonymous Sperm/Egg
Donors Cannot Transmit U.S. Citizenship to a Child
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
U.S. citizenship cannot be transmitted by an anonymous sperm
or egg donor, even if a clinic, sperm bank, or intended parent(s) purport to
certify that the sperm or egg was donated by a U.S. citizen. The applicant (or
his or her parent, applying on behalf of a minor applicant) bears the burden of
demonstrating the donor transmitting parents U.S. citizenship and fulfillment
of each other statutory requirement, and the evidence in support must be
verified by the consular officer. This will require cooperation from the
donor(s) to establish the possible claim to U.S. citizenship.
8 FAM 304.3-4 Establishing a
Biological Relationship in an ART Case
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
a. In most cases involving assisted reproductive
technology there is no shortage of documentation, and consular officers are
free, as in any case, to ask for appropriate supporting documentation that fits
the circumstances of the case.
b. Examples of appropriate supporting documentation
would be: certified hospital records or physicians records where the procedure
occurred and a sworn statement from the physician who performed the procedure;
medical records documenting pre-natal care of the surrogate or the gestational
mother; medical records documenting underlying medical conditions that caused
parent to seek assisted reproductive technology (i.e., infertility or injury);
insurance documents or other types of receipts documenting the payments made
for the various different procedures. DNA testing may be recommended depending
on the other medical evidence and circumstances of the case. (See 8 FAM 304.2.)
c. In cases involving surrogacy, in addition to the
medical records discussed above, the intended parents are likely to have signed
contracts or other legal instruments with any of the following: fertility
clinic, physician, laboratories, the surrogate mother, and/or egg / sperm
donor. These legal documents should detail the various parties intentions
with respect to future parental rights and also about fees and payments to the
various parties.
d. If consular officers are not satisfied with other
evidence presented, they may ask to interview the surrogate and/or her spouse
or other family members.
e. In cases involving a gestational and legal mother,
in addition to the medical and financial records discussed above, an officer
could ask for photographs taken during the pregnancy or following the birth or
other physical mementos (such as hospital bracelets). If the records are
insufficient or the consular officer suspects fraud, the officer may ask for a
physical exam of the woman by a panel physician.
f. Questions relating to family/genetic/blood
relationships can be considered intrusive and contacts with families in these
circumstances may become somewhat emotional. Interviews should always be
conducted with consideration for privacy and the sensitivity of the issues. Of
course, when there are fraud indicators, posts must ensure that discrepancies
are reviewed and resolved.