DS-2029 preparation
What physical-presence dates belong in my DS-2029 preparation?
Form DS-2029 asks for dates when each parent was present in the United States before the child’s birth. Month and year may be accepted when exact dates are unknown, although exact dates may later be requested. Prepare a complete chronology, record the source behind each period, and keep potentially qualifying service abroad separate for official review. US Expat Desk does not file the form or decide which parent transmits citizenship.
Use dates before the child’s birth
The calculation excludes time on or after the child’s birth date. Keep later residence or travel outside this chronology.
Preserve uncertainty
Do not invent a day when only the month is known. Record month precision and treat the calculated result as a range until the dates are confirmed.
Use the current official form
Download the current DS-2029 from the State Department and follow the serving post’s appointment instructions before submission.
List absences separately
A long U.S. period can contain travel abroad. Record those absences separately so the chronology does not overstate the time entered.
Keep service abroad outside the automatic total
Military, U.S. government, international-organization, or dependent service can require a different official analysis. The calculator lists it for review but does not count it automatically.
Reconcile the form and evidence index
The dates on the working chronology, DS-2029 preparation, and evidence index should agree. Investigate differences before the appointment.
Practical example
An exact school period followed by an approximate employment period
A parent knows exact university attendance dates but has only month and year for an early job. The exact period contributes one fixed day total. The month-only employment period produces a minimum and maximum. The preparation notes keep that uncertainty visible until an employment record confirms the dates.
Common questions
Questions this guide can answer
Does US Expat Desk fill or file DS-2029?
No. The service helps organize dates and evidence categories. Use the current official form and the serving post’s submission process.
Can I enter month and year only?
Yes. The calculator reports a range instead of inventing exact days. Official staff may still request exact dates or additional evidence.
Why does the end boundary not count?
The supported calculation uses the number of calendar days between the start and end boundaries. A same-day interval therefore contributes zero days.
Limits and official review
This page does not decide citizenship, CRBA eligibility, the governing legal rule, or evidence sufficiency. Check the current official form and serving post instructions. Potentially qualifying overseas service stays outside the automatic total for official review.
Official sources
Sources retrieved and substantively reviewed .
Methodology and review
How this page is maintained
US Expat Desk applies a versioned deterministic calculation to the facts entered. The official-source record, review date, page metadata, structured data, related links and sitemap entry come from the same CRBA registry.