Proof of Citizenship for Passport Application

Proof of U.S. citizenship is required to obtain your passport. The requirements for proof of U.S. citizenship is strictly enforced and non-compliant documents will cause passport processing delays. Routine passport processing is 6-8 weeks so if you need your passport fast, you will need to expedite your passport.

Proof of Citizenship for Passport Applications

New passport applicants will need to submit documents that are accepted as evidence of U.S. citizenship, usually a birth certificate or naturalization paperwork. It is important to make certain that the documents submitted meet all of the U.S. State Department’s requirements. If the applicant is only renewing a passport, then the old passport book will suffice as the necessary proof, as long as it is not damaged.

Birth Certificate

The birth certificate must be a certified, long form birth certificate. It must have a county, state or state seal that is raised, multicolored or embossed. Birth certificates must list the full name of at least one parent. The registrar’s signature must be present, as well as the date that they registered the certificate. This date must be within one year of birth. If the certificate has a delayed date, you may be able to provide a list of documents that prove validity. Notes should be signed by the doctor or midwife that attended the birth or show an affidavit signed by both parents. Those born overseas to at least one U.S. citizen parent can submit a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth.

What if I don’t have a birth certificate?

If it is not possible to provide the required birth certificate, then an applicant must submit several forms of secondary evidence. A social security card is not considered adequate proof of citizenship. A person with a delayed birth certificate can submit it along with two or more early public records, such as a baptismal certificate, hospital birth certificate, census records, school records, records of health care received shortly after birth, and family Bible records. A name and address search for Census Records can be performed by completing an application for search of census records and submitting a small fee to the Census Bureau.

Applicants without a birth certificate must have their state issue a Letter of No Record that lists the full name, date of birth, years searched and a statement that no certificate was found. Anyone without an acceptable birth certificate can also submit a notarized birth affidavit (Form DS-10) in person when applying for a passport. It is a statement made by a person that knows details of the applicant’s birth.

The following lists are represented to assist you in finding proper forms for proof of citizenship that are required to apply and receive your United States Passport. If you have any citizenship document questions, feel free to contact us or the U.S. State Department

The following will be accepted as United States Proof of Citizenship:

• Original Birth Certificate (if born in the United States);
• or Old (undamaged) passport;
• or Original Certificate of Citizenship or FS-240, DS-1350 ( if born outside the US );
• or Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Office.

A certified birth certificate has a registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office, which must be within 1 year of your birth.

A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if it:

• Listed the documentation used to create it and
• Signed by the attending physician or midwife, or, lists an affidavit signed by the parents, or shows early public records.

If you changed your legal name by way of marriage or otherwise you will need to provide evidence of the name change: a certified copy of either
– A marriage certificate, or
– A name change court decree.

If you do not have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, you will need:

1. Letter of “No Record” issued by the State with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you and
2. As many of the following as possible:

• baptismal certificate
• hospital birth certificate
• census record
• early school record
• family bible record
• doctor’s record of post-natal care

These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life. You may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, form DS-10, from an older blood relative (i.e. parent, aunt, uncle, sibling) who has personal knowledge of your birth. It must be notarized or have the seal and signature of the acceptance agent.

If you were born abroad and do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Birth on file, you will need:

1. If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to one U.S. citizen parent:
   • Issued by the State with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you.
   • Foreign birth certificate;
   • Proof of citizenship of your U.S. citizen parent;
   • An affidavit of your U.S. citizen parent showing all periods and places of residence or physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.
2. If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to both U.S. citizen parents:
   • Your foreign birth certificate;
   • Parent’s marriage certificate;
   • Proof of citizenship of your U.S. parents and an affidavit of your U.S. citizen parents showing all periods and places of residence of physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.