Birth Certificate Showing Birth in the US

For most travelers, the easiest way to prove US citizenship is to submit a birth certificate showing birth in the US.  Want to learn more?  We wrote a whole article about birth certificate requirements and how you can obtain an official copy of your birth certificate.

Expired US Passport

Are you going through the new adult passport process because your last passport was issued more than 15 years ago?  Good news — you don’t need to dig out your birth certificate.  Your expired passport can be used as your proof of citizenship!  Make sure you are still recognizable as the person in the passport photo on your old passport, though.  If you’re now 30 years old and your last passport was issued when you were 5, that’s not going to work.

Naturalization Certificate

Naturalized citizens can submit the original US naturalization certificate or a certified copy.  If you’ve lost your naturalization certificate or need to get a new copy, you can apply for a replacement using USCIS Form N-565. Replacement certificates cost $345… we recommend keeping yours in a safe place!

Certificate of Citizenship

Certificates of Citizenship are issued to people who were born overseas but acquired US citizenship through their parents.  This includes people who were born to US citizen parents abroad, as well as those who were adopted internationally by US citizen parents.  If you have a Certificate of Citizenship, you can submit your original certificate as proof of citizenship with your US passport application.  Replacement certificates can also be obtained by filing Form N-565.

Consular Record of Birth Abroad

Another proof of citizenship for people who were born to US citizen parents in a foreign country is the Consular Record of Birth Abroad.  The Consular Record of Birth Abroad is also known as the CRBA or Form FS-240. Your parents would have needed to register your birth at the US Embassy or Consulate in the location where you were born.  If you still have your original Consular Record of Birth Abroad, great!  If you need a replacement document, you can order one from the State Department for $50.

Certification of Report of Birth

Form DS-1350, the Certification of Report of Birth, is another proof of citizenship document that may be held by people born overseas to US citizen parents.  The US State Department stopped issuing these certificates in 2010, but if you still have your original DS-1350, you can submit it with your passport application to prove your US citizenship.

If you have an unusual citizenship situation, call G3 to talk to a Passport Specialist about what proof of citizenship you can use to get a passport!

The post Proof of Citizenship for Your New US Passport appeared first on G3Passports.

Birth Certificate Requirements for US Passports

You’ll need to make sure that the birth certificate you submit with your passport application meets all the following criteria:

• Issued by a US state, city, or territory.  You must submit a government-issued birth certificate.  Hospital-issued birth certificates or other commemorative certificates won’t work.
• Original document with a raised seal. When we say “original,” we don’t necessarily mean the very first copy that your parents got when you were a baby!  You need to submit a certificate issued by the government agency, with a raised seal.  Photocopies, scans, or photographs are not accepted.
• “Long Form” certificate showing your parents’ names.  Some states have an option for a “short form” or card-sized birth certificate.  These aren’t accepted for passport applications.  You need to have a “long form” certificate that shows your parents’ names.  (Don’t have a father listed?  That’s OK.  As long as the certificate has a space for the father’s name, it’s fine if that space has been left blank.)
• Shows birth in a US state, federal district, or territory. Yes, if you were born in Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, you can use your birth certificate to get a US passport!

When you go to the Passport Acceptance Facility, the Passport Acceptance Agent will be checking your birth certificate to ensure it meets all these requirements.

How to Get Your Birth Certificate

It’s an important document… but that doesn’t mean it won’t get lost!  Many passport applicants have trouble locating their original birth certificate.  Luckily, there are a few simple ways to get an official copy.

• Visit the Vital Statistics Office in your state of birth. If you are still in your state of birth, you can go in person to the Vital Statistics Office.  For a small fee, they will print out original copies of your birth certificate for you.  You’ll need to have proof of identity, such as your driver’s license.  While you’re at it, you might as well get two copies of your birth certificate — most places give a discount if you get two copies, and both will be completely official original documents.
• Write to the Vital Statistics Office. Most locales allow you to order your birth certificate by mail.  Processing may take a while, so this is not the best option if you’re in a hurry to apply for your new passport!  Make sure to check the ordering instructions closely.  You may need to pay via money order, or submit a photocopy of your valid ID.
• Order your birth certificate online. You can order your birth certificate right now, without even leaving your chair!  VitalChek.com is a reputable website that works with US government agencies to get you your official birth certificate quickly and easily.

What If Your Name Has Changed?

Your birth certificate was issued when you were a newborn baby.  You’re applying for your first passport as an adult.  It’s quite likely that your legal name has changed!  If your name has legally changed through marriage, divorce, or court order, you’ll need to submit an original copy of the marriage certificate, divorce degree, or court order to prove your new legal name.

The post Get Your Birth Certificate for Your New Passport appeared first on G3Passports.