Proof of United States Citizenship

a. A passport issued previously to an applicant, or one in which he was included, is proof of U.S. citizenship in lieu of the documentary proof outlined below. If a passport cannot be submitted, other evidence of citizenship will be necessary.

b. A person born in the U.S. may present his birth certificate. To be acceptable the certificate must show the birth record was filed shortly after birth and must be certified with the registrar's signature and the raised, impressed or multi-colored seal of his office. Uncertified copies of birth certificates are not acceptable.

1. If such primary evidence is not obtainable, a notice from the registrar may be used stating that no birth record exists. The notice shall be accompanied by the best obtainable secondary evidence such as a baptismal certificate, a certificate of circumcision (if applicable), a hospital birth record, affidavits of persons having personal knowledge of the facts of the birth or other documentary evidence such as early census, school, or family bible records, newspaper files and insurance papers. Secondary evidence should be created as close to the time of birth as possible.

2. All documents used as evidence of U.S. citizenship by birth must include the place and date of birth of the applicant and bear the seal of the office, if this is customary, and the signature of the person before whom such documents were executed or by whom they were issued.

c. A person who claims U.S. citizenship by naturalization may use his certificate of naturalization.

d. If U.S. citizenship was acquired through naturalization of a parent or parents, or by birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, the certificate of citizenship issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service may be used. If such a certificate is not available, citizenship may be supported by the following documents: