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Proof of Citizenship for Obtaining a U.S. Passport
Proof of citizenship can be proved by any of the following documents.
- Previous U.S. Passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports
are not acceptable as evidence of U.S. citizenship.)
- Certified birth
certificate issued by the city, county or state
NOTE: 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
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
or Certification of Birth
- Naturalization Certificate
- Certificate of Citizenship
A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after
your birth may be acceptable proof of citizenship 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
do NOT have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate,
you will need the following for proof of citizenship:
- 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 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
NOTES:
- 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., a 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 the following for proof of citizenship:
1. If you claim citizenship through birth
abroad to one U.S. citizen parent:
- Foreign birth certificate,
- Proof of citizenship of your U.S. citizen parent,
AND
- 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
two U.S. citizen parents:
- Your foreign birth certificate,
- Parent’s marriage certificate, AND
- 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.
NOTE: The following are NOT proof of citizenship
- Voter registration cards
- Army discharge papers
NOTE: If you travel extensively, you may request
a larger, 48-page passport at no additional cost. To do so, please attach
a signed request for a 48-page passport to your application.
FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14:
The citizenship evidence submitted for minors under
the age of 14 must list both parents' names.
If you need to get your passport fast and want to apply online to have it expedited, visit Rush My Passport.
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