How to Prove Your U.S Citizenship?
Updated As of
In order to receive a United States passport, you must be a citizen of the issuing country.
In the United States, specific proof of U.S. citizenship must be submitted with your passport application in order to obtain a U.S. Passport you will need to know what is considered to prove your citizenship in this article we would discuss what is needed for a U.S. citizen.
States are now requiring that you also submit proof of citizenship when obtaining an “Enhance” driver’s license in order to comply with the Real I.D. Act.
Preferred Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
- Certified birth certificate issued by a U.S. city, county, or state. The certificate must list the applicant’s full name, place of birth, and date of birth as well as both parents’ full names. It must include the date it was filed, and the date must be within one year of birth. It must be signed by the registrar and have the embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal of the registrar.
- Consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth. These are issued for children who were born abroad to U.S. citizens.
- Naturalization certificate.
- Certificate of citizenship.
- Current passport holders may also submit their unexpired passport as long as it is undamaged and not otherwise invalid. Passports expire after 10 years for adults and after five years for minors.
Other Acceptable Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
The following secondary proofs of U.S. citizenship are accepted when you cannot present the primary evidence listed above:
Letter of No Record + Early Public Records
If you do not have a birth certificate, you must present a state-issued letter of record stating your name and date of birth. The letter must also state the years that were searched for your birth certificate and that no such certificate was found.
In addition, you must show early public records giving your name, place of birth, and date of birth. It is preferred that these records were created within five years of your birth. Acceptable early public records include:
- Doctor’s records
- Family Bibles
- Early school records
- Census records
- Hospital birth certificates
- Baptismal certificates
Delayed Birth Certificate
If your birth certificate was not filed within one year of your birth, it may be acceptable if it lists the documentation used to create it and it is signed by the birth attendant or includes an affidavit signed by your parents. A delayed birth certificate that does not include these items may be acceptable if submitted along with early public records.
Birth Affidavit
You may also submit a notarized affidavit from someone who has personal knowledge of your birth. This should preferably be by an older blood relative and must state how the affiant acquired their knowledge. A birth affidavit must be submitted along with early public records.
U.S. Passport Help Guide I was told that I need to fill out an affidavit. In the process
do you have a legal court order changing your name
Eromlig Ynnach your acceptance agent will have to evaluate, if the meantime you can order certified copies on vitalchek.com
is this a renewal of a 10 year passport?
My birth certificate says “baby girl” Drake My mother signed-just a mistake the hospital made when born My social security says my whole name As well as my state ID
Can I turn in my expired passport as proof of citizenship with my renewal passport application or do I need my birth certificate? Thanks!
U.S. Passport Help Guide oops, I meant birth certificates.
both must be replaced in person using a DS11 app, if dad cannot be present he can fill out a DS3053 and have that notarized
Both mine and my daughter’s passport are slightly damaged( hers being torn at the top, but her info, mines, and dad’s info +all other info is shown) will that be okay? Also, does her dad need to come in or is there somethimg he can submit allowing me to get hers?
did you try to order one on vitalchek.com
yes you will need to ammend the birth certificate and bring legal name change documents
What if you where adopted and in state custody as a minor till age 18 and cannot obtain a birth certificate due to the lack of parents being in ones life
My twins born 2009 had a last name change in 2015. Do I need to update thier birth certificate before proceeding with passport application? They will be traveling to Canada with their grandparents summer 2018.
My twins born 2009 had a last name change in 2015. Do I need to update thier birth certificate before proceeding with passport application? They will be traveling to Canada with their grandparents summer 2018.
No, you must compile a DS 82 app, current passport, passport photos and passport fees ($110 passport book). You will mail everything directly to the US Department of State address listed on your DS 82 app. Please note if the passport is 5 years past expiration date you must apply in person for a new adult passport.
Do I have to send an original birth certificate when RENEWING a passport?
Hello, she must order a certified copy on vitalchek.com
Hello, you cannot board an airplane with a passport card, you would need a passport book.
My grandmother needs to get a passport and her Marriage Certificate has a seal from the church but not the state. I have been unable to locate the certificate in the county she was married. Can she get a passport or will she not be able to since her name doesn’t match her birth certificate?
If I get 3 passport cards for my kids for going on a cruise and for some emergency reason, they need to be flown back to the US……. How will this work?
Hello, in order to apply for a passport you must appear in person at an acceptance facility such as a post office or county clerk’s office. You will need a DS 11, passport photos, passport fees($110 for passport book and $25 acceptance agent fee), driver’s license, original/certified copy birth certificate (or the original naturalization certificate) and any original/certified copy name change documents, if needed.
I became a citizen of u.s I have a certificate and I want to get a passport what other kind of proof I have to show for the passport
that would be proof of ID not proof of citizenship
No, you must have the physical passport or your original/certified copy birth certificate
what about a military id
Can I use a picture of my expired passport as proof of citizenship?
Hello, you will need the adoption papers
Hello, for right now you still would have to provide the original/certified copy birth certificate. Things are select to change as of 2018
Hello, for right now you still would have to provide the original/certified copy birth certificate. Things are select to change as of 2018
can the enhanced driver’s license be used to prove citizenship?