# @matttolbert on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRVN1JJEfiW
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/37190034-matttolbert-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d490a78483.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-21T20:13:53.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Matt Tolbert (@TolbertTweet) — https://gondola.cc/TolbertTweet

## Caption

Inside the “black box” appointment 🇺🇸📂

We walked into the U.S. Embassy with a binder of evidence, a surrogate, and a newborn... and three hours later, we walked out with a U.S. Citizen.

Since you can’t bring phones (or cameras) inside, here is the full “declassified” debrief of what actually happens during the appointment:

1. The “decoy” bag hack 🛍️ You can’t bring large bags through security. We swapped our diaper bag for a simple grocery tote with just the essentials (diapers, wipes in a Ziploc, and formula). It breezed through inspection.

2. The binder mistake ❌ I put three copies of every single document in its own plastic sleeve to be organized. Minor mistake. When they asked for “all surrogacy documents,” I had to pull a million sheets out of a million sleeves one by one. Next time? I’m using binder clips for each full set.

3. The “gotcha” moment 😅 The interview was smooth until Joshua started explaining his Mexican heritage (“My grandparents are from here...”). We almost confused the officer about his citizenship! Always clarify: “I was born in the U.S.” first!

The verdict? Dario is officially a U.S. Citizen! We didn’t get a tiny flag, but we got the Emergency Passport and the CRBA.

We ended the morning with a bittersweet breakfast with Dario’s surrogate, Blanca, and her daughter. Her only request? To keep one of Dario’s socks 🥹🧦

One down. One to go. Now we have the blueprint for his little brother!

#usembassy #surrogacyjourney #crba #dualcitizenship #twodads

## Stats

- **Views:** 54,780
- **Likes:** 6,771
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 78

## Tags

dualcitizenship, usembassy, twodads, surrogacyjourney, crba

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