Bringing Your Baby Home — A Complete Guide
What documents does your US-born baby need to return to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, or other countries? This guide covers the complete documentation process for HRC surrogacy and international IVF patients.
Obtaining the US Birth Certificate
After your baby is born in California, the hospital typically registers the birth with the local County Registrar within 10 days. You can then request certified copies of the birth certificate through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for approximately $25 per copy.
How to Apply
- Online: VitalChek (fastest, ~7–10 business days)
- Mail: Complete VS 111 form and mail to CDPH
- In-person: Visit the County Registrar (fastest — same day or 1–3 days)
- Recommend ordering 3–5 certified copies for various document purposes
Applying for a US Passport
Babies born in the US are automatically US citizens and eligible for a US passport. Applying before leaving the US is often the most straightforward option — allowing your baby to re-enter your home country as a US citizen.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of US birth certificate
- Both parents' passports (original + copy)
- DS-3053 Statement of Consent (if one parent is absent)
- Completed DS-11 passport application form
- 2 passport-size photos of the baby (US specification)
- Fee: approximately $130
Standard processing: 6–8 weeks. Expedited: 2–3 weeks (additional $60). For faster service, schedule an appointment at a Passport Agency in person.
Country-Specific Entry & Nationality Requirements
🇹🇼Taiwan
Babies with a US passport can enter Taiwan visa-free (US citizens enjoy 90-day visa-free entry). If either parent is a Taiwanese citizen, the baby may also qualify for Taiwanese nationality.
- • Entry to Taiwan: US passport, no visa required (90-day visa-free)
- • Taiwanese nationality: If either parent is Taiwanese, register the birth at TECRO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) in the US
- • Documents needed: US birth certificate (with notarized Chinese translation), Taiwanese passports/ID cards, marriage certificate
- • Recommended: Complete TECRO registration in the US before returning, then complete household registration (戶籍) in Taiwan
🇭🇰Hong Kong
US citizens can enter Hong Kong visa-free (90 days). If both parents hold Hong Kong permanent residency, the baby may qualify for Hong Kong permanent resident status (confirm with the Immigration Department).
- • Entry to Hong Kong: US passport, no visa required (90-day visa-free)
- • Hong Kong permanent residency: If both parents hold HKPR, the baby may qualify from birth
- • Contact the HK Immigration Department (ImmD) or legal counsel to confirm eligibility and required documents
- • For surrogacy cases, legal parentage determination is complex — strongly recommend consulting an attorney
🇸🇬Singapore
US citizens can enter Singapore visa-free (30 days, extendable). Children of Singaporean citizens/PRs born overseas must be registered for citizenship in Singapore.
- • Entry to Singapore: US passport, no visa required (30 days, extendable)
- • Singaporean citizenship: If the father is a Singapore citizen, register the birth and apply for citizenship at ICA
- • Register birth at the Singapore Embassy in the US (ROB) before returning to Singapore to complete citizenship registration
- • Documents needed: US birth certificate, Singapore passports/NRIC, marriage certificate
🇨🇳Mainland China
China does not recognize dual citizenship. US-passport babies need a Chinese visa to enter mainland China (no visa-free entry for US citizens). Chinese nationality acquisition requires renouncing foreign citizenship — typically left for the child to decide at adulthood.
- • Entry to China: US passport requires a Chinese visa (Q2 family reunion visa)
- • Chinese household registration (户口): If either parent is a Chinese citizen, register the birth at the local police station (派出所)
- • Dual nationality: Chinese law requires renouncing foreign nationality to obtain Chinese citizenship — usually left to the child at adulthood
- • Strongly recommend consulting a Chinese immigration law specialist for current regulations
Special Considerations for Surrogacy Patients
For international surrogacy patients, establishing legal parentage is more complex than for IVF — the birth certificate may initially list the surrogate (and her spouse) as parents. Legal parentage must be formally established before leaving the US.
Retain a California family law attorney before arrival to obtain a Pre-Birth Order or Post-Birth Order
Once the order is issued, the birth certificate can be corrected or reissued to list the intended parents
With the corrected birth certificate, the intended parents can apply for a US passport for the baby
Entry and nationality recognition for surrogacy-born children varies significantly by country — consult an immigration attorney in your home country in advance
HRC can refer you to California surrogacy law specialists experienced with international patient cases
Need More Help?
HRC coordinators can refer you to California family law attorneys and immigration lawyers familiar with international patient cases, and provide bilingual document guidance.
Ready to Welcome Your Baby?
Our international patient consultants are ready to provide personalized guidance across time zones