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:

  1. Letter of No Record

    2. 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.

  2. AND as many of the following as possible:
    3.

  • 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, U.S. Passport Renewal Requirements

Passport Renewal Information

Passport renewals can be obtained easily through either the U.S. Department of State Passport Services or, in the case of an emergency, through a private passport expediter.

Regular processing time estimated by the State Deparment is six weeks. The claim to expedite passports within two weeks or more. Passport expediters can have your passport renewed and returned to you within 10 days to as little as 24 hours.

US Passport Renewals by the State Department

You can renew your passport by mail if...

  • your present passport is not damaged;
  • you received the passport within the past 15 years;
  • you were over age 16 when it was issued;
  • you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.

If you don´t meet these conditions, you will have to apply for a new passport.

If you meet the criteria, you can renew your passport by mail. To do so, you must first fill out Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 (right click + "save as" to download). Send in the application, along with your present valid or expired passport, two identical passport photos and a check for $67 to cover the government's fees ($55 execution fee + $12 security fee).

If your name has changed, you must include a certified copy of the legal document that verifies this fact. "Copy" does not mean a memeographed copy. This must be an original, certified document.

All these items must be sent in a padded envelope to the following address:

National Passport Center
P.O. Box 371971
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7971

You should expect your passport to be returned to you within 6 weeks to 3 months.

Expediting Your Passport Renewal

The State Department´s expedited services take 2 to 4 weeks although it may take longer.

Expeditors offer fast, guaranteed processing of passports, visas and other travel documents. They can renew passports in as little as 24 hours. Expediters save you time and, oftentimes, the frustration of having to cancel or reschedule your travel plans.

The first step to renew your passport through an expediting service, is to choose one. I've made a list of a few highly recommended expediters and some tips for expediting your passport.

Once you make your choice, complete the online application and send them your application and accompanying documents via express mail.

If you need to get your passport fast and want to apply online to have it expedited, visit It's Easy Passport.

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