Do You Need to Submit Secondary Documents with Your Passport Application Form?
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009When you apply for a passport, you need to be able to convince the government of two things: you are who you say you are, and you are a US citizen. Usually, this is easily accomplished by submitting proof of identity and proof of citizenship.
The following documents can be used to prove your identity:
- An old US passport in good condition.
- Naturalization certificate.
- Valid driver’s license issued at least 6 months ago.
- Government-issued ID
- Military ID
These documents can be used to prove that you are a US citizen:
- An old US passport in good condition.
- A certified birth certificate with a raised or embossed seal
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth (if you were born overseas to US citizen parents)
- A naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship.
What if you don’t have any of the above documents? The best thing to do is to obtain them before applying, but what if you can’t? In that case, you may have to use secondary documents to prove your identity and/or citizenship. Even if you have the right primary documents, if the Department of State has doubts about your application, they may request that you submit secondary documents to provide more proof. For example, people delivered by midwives along the border with Mexico have been asked to submit secondary documentation along with their birth certificates due to concerns about midwives falsifying birth certificates.
Secondary documents that prove US citizenship can include:
- Baptismal certificate
- Hospital birth certificate
- Census record
- Early school record
- Family bible record
- Doctor’s record of post-natal care
You may also need a Birth Affidavit form signed by someone who witnessed your birth (preferably an older blood relative). Secondary documents that prove identity can include a combination of signature documents (such as a credit card, social security card and library card) and a signed, notarized affidavit from someone who is willing to vouch for your identity. (more…)
