THE LAW OFFICES OF MIRIAM B. RIEDMILLER 1819 L ST. NW STE 100 WASHINGTON, DC 20036
Applying for a U.S. Passport
Citizenship Evidence
When applying on Form DS-11, you must submit primary evidence of U.S. citizenship:
- If you cannot provide primary evidence, you must submit secondary evidence of U.S. citizenship.
- Examples of primary and secondary citizenship evidence are listed below.
Examples of Primary Citizenship Evidence
Born Outside the United States?
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (can be expired)
- U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
- Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
- Lists applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth
- Lists parent(s)’ full names
- Has the signature of the city, county, or state registrar
- Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
- Has the seal of issuing authority
Please note: Some states issue birth abstracts which are a summary of your original birth record. Most birth abstracts meet all the requirements listed above, while some birth abstracts do not meet these requirements. If you submit a birth abstract, it must meet all of the requirements above. If your birth abstract does not meet all the requirements above, we may also need you to submit a long-form birth certificate showing a copy of your original birth record.
Born Outside the United States?
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (can be expired)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
Examples of Primary Citizenship Evidence
Born in the United States?
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (can be expired)
- U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
- Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
- Lists applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth
- Lists parent(s)’ full names
- Has the signature of the city, county, or state registrar
- Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
- Has the seal of issuing authority
Please note: Some states issue birth abstracts which are a summary of your original birth record. Most birth abstracts meet all the requirements listed above, while some birth abstracts do not meet these requirements. If you submit a birth abstract, it must meet all of the requirements above. If your birth abstract does not meet all the requirements above, we may also need you to submit a long-form birth certificate showing a copy of your original birth record.
Born Outside the United States?
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (can be expired)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
Examples of Secondary Citizenship Evidence
Born in the United States?
You must submit a delayed birth certificate OR a Letter of No Record, AND early public records.
- Delayed birth certificate (filed more than 1 year after birth)
- It must include the following:
- List the documentation used to create it (preferably early public records - see below)
- Signature of the birth attendant or an affidavit signed by the parent(s)
- If your delayed U.S. birth certificate does not include these items, it should be submitted with early public records (see below).
- It must include the following:
- Letter of No Record
- If a U.S. birth certificate is not on file for you in the state you were born, you will receive a Letter of No Record from the registrar instead of a birth certificate. It must meet the following requirements:
- Issued by the state
- Have applicant’s name and date of birth
- List the years for which a birth record was searched
- Include a statement that no birth certificate was found on file
- When submitting a Letter of No Record, you must also submit at least two early public documents or one early public document and one early private document with Form DS-10: Birth Affadavit.
- If a U.S. birth certificate is not on file for you in the state you were born, you will receive a Letter of No Record from the registrar instead of a birth certificate. It must meet the following requirements:
Early public or private documents
- Early public or private documents are documents that were created and/or issued early in the applicant’s life, preferably in the first five years.
- Public records should include the applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth. Examples include:
- Baptism certificate
- Hospital birth certificate (often shows baby’s footprints)
- U.S. Census record
- Early school records
- Family Bible record
- Doctor's records of post-natal care
- Form DS-10, Birth Affidavit (this form is for applicants whose birth in the United States was recorded more than one year late or who have a Letter of No Record.)
Born Outside the United States?
1. U.S. Citizenship at Birth
If you were born outside the United States and acquired U.S. citizenship through your U.S. citizen parent(s), please submit the following with your passport application:
- Your foreign birth certificate listing your parent(s)
- Your parent(s)’ evidence of U.S. citizenship
- Your parents' marriage certificate, if applicable
- A statement from your U.S. citizen parent(s) detailing all periods and places of their residence or physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.
Please see U.S. Citizenship Laws & Policy for more information.
2. U.S. Citizenship through Naturalization of a Parent
If you were born outside the United States and acquired U.S. citizenship through the naturalization of your parent(s), please submit the following with your passport application:
- Your foreign birth certificate listing your parent(s)
- Your parent(s)’ naturalization certificate
- Evidence of your permanent residence status. Examples include:
- Permanent Resident Card/Green Card
- Foreign passport with the original I-551 visa entry stamp
- Your parents' marriage certificate (if your parents were married when you legally entered the U.S. and before your 18th birthday)
- Documentation of legal custody (if your parents were not married when you legally entered the U.S.)
- Evidence of your legitimation (if your parents were not married at the time of your birth). Examples include:
- Your parents' marriage certificate dated after your birth
- Certified court order of legitimation
Please see U.S. Citizenship Laws & Policy for more information.
3. U.S. Citizenship Through Adoption
If you were born outside the United States and acquired citizenship through adoption by a U.S. citizen parent while under the age of 16, please submit the following:
- Citizenship evidence of your U.S. citizen parent
- Your full and final adoption decree
- Evidence of lawful entry for permanent residence (Examples: Child’s foreign passport containing an ADIT stamp or Form I-94 with the ADIT stamp and picture)
- Please see Child Citizenship Act of 2000 for more information.