You must submit one of the following. Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
- U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
- Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
- Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
- Lists your parent(s)’ full names
- Has the date filed with registrar’s office (must be within one year of birth)
- Has the registrar’s signature
- Has the seal of the issuing authority
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
Born Outside the United States?
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.
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
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 U.S. Citizenship Laws & Policy for more information.