Documents That Prove U.S. Citizenship
Primary proof of United States citizenship is preferred but secondary proof is accepted if primary evidence is not available.Primary Evidence of Citizenship
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
- U.S. birth certificate (must meet specific requirements)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Naturalization Certificate
- Certificate of Citizenship
Primary Evidence of Citizenship
- Early Public Records
- Delayed Birth Certificate
- Letter of No Record
- Form DS-10: Birth Affidavit
- Foreign Birth Documents + Parent(s) Citizenship Evidence
Acceptable Identification Documents
You must present one of the following identification documents (IDs) to the acceptance agent. The ID must readily identify you. Some documents serve the dual purpose of proving both U.S. citizenship and identity.- In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
- In-state, fully valid learner's permit
- In-state, fully valid non-driver ID
- Temporary driver's license
- Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
- U.S. military or military dependent ID
- Current (valid) foreign passport
- Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) - commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
- U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) - commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
- Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
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Name Change Documents
You only need to submit a name change document if the name you request on the passport application form is different from the name in your previously-issued passport or the citizenship and identification documents you plan to submit.- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Adoption decree
- Name change court order
- Public records
Supporting Documents FAQ
If you find a question below for which you would like to read the answer, just click the link.
Proof of Citizenship Question: What documents are accepted as evidence of United States citizenship when applying for a passport: Answer...
How can I renew my passport if I can't mail it in? Question: I need my passport everyday since I work in Mexico. What is the best way to renew, since I can't mail it in with form DS-82. Passport will ...
Birth Certificate for Getting Passport Question: I have been in the US Military for the past 13 years and currently need a Military Passport (Brown Passport) for an upcoming deployment. My issue is that my certified birth certificate...
I need the birth certificate sent in with the passport application as soon as possible Question: I applied November 3, 2010 for my daughter's first passport. I sent the original birth certificate in with the passport application. I ...
How do I renew an expired passport if I lost my naturaliazation papers? Question: I lost my expired passport (expired 2009), don't have my naturalization papers (born in Cuba), and need to have a passport in the next 3 months....
Identification Documents for Getting Passports Answers to questions about identification documents used as proof of identity when applying for a new U.S. passport.
Why is the passport agency asking me for more documents? Question: I'm going to write down what the letter says.
"Thank you for your recent passport application. We need help in providing the necessary evidence ...
What proof of citizenship is needed to get a passport for an adopted child? Question: My daughter was adopted and born in Korea--she is a US citizen--what paperwork do we need to show as evidence of her U.S. citizenship to get her a passport....
Can I use a birth registration notice in place of a certified birth certificate to get a passport? Question: I have a Birth Registration Notice. It gives my name, that I am a twin, my birth date and the place where I was born. It has an embossed ...
I received my passport but not my supporting documents Question: After applying for and receiving my passport, None of my supporting documents been returned to me yet. Where are my documents and when should I expect to receive them? Is it normal for the new passport to arrive before the supporting documentation?
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