Attachment_V-_US.docx

Lists of Acceptable Documents to Establish U.S. Citizenship

Excerpt from SECNAV M-5510.30 of June 2006, Appendix F

4. All documents submitted as evidence of U. S. citizenship must be original documents or certified copies. Uncertified copies are not acceptable. The following documents are acceptable proof of citizenship:

a. The original U. S. birth certificate with a raised seal issued at the time of birth from one of the 50 states, or outlying territories or possessions.

b. A hospital birth certification (clinic and commercial birth center certification is not permitted) with an authenticating raised seal or signature provided all vital information is given.

c. A delayed birth certificate provided it shows the birth record was filed within one year after birth, it bears the registrar's seal and signature, and cites secondary evidence such as a baptismal certificate, certificate of circumcision, affidavits of persons having personal knowledge of the facts of the birth or other official records such as early census, school or insurance.

d. U.S. Passport (current or expired) or U.S. passport issued to individual’s parent in which the individual is included.

e. FS-240 Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America/Consular Report of Birth.

f. FS-545 Certification of Birth issued by a U.S. Consulate or DS-1350 the Department of State Certification.

g. INS N-550/570 U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Naturalization Certificate.

h. INS N-560/561 U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Certificate of Citizenship. If the individual does not have a Certificate of Citizenship, the original Certificate of Naturalization of the parent(s) may be accepted if the naturalization occurred while the individual was under 18 years of age (or under 16 years of age before 5 October 1978) and residing permanently in the U.S.

i. Certificate of birth issued by the Canal Zone government indicating U.S citizenship is only acceptable if verified by direct government inquiry to: Vital Records Section, Passport Services, 1111 19th Street NW, Suite 510, Washington, D.C. 20522-1705.

j. DD 372, Verification of Birth is acceptable for military members (officer and enlisted) provided the birth data is listed and verified by the Department of Vital Statistics.

k. DD 1966, Application for Enlistment into the Armed Forces of the United States are acceptable provided the documents sighted are listed and attested to by a recruiting official.

5. If none of the above forms of evidence are obtainable, a notice from the registrar issued by the state with the individual’s name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for the applicant should be presented.

*The registrar's notice must be accompanied by the best combination of the following secondary evidence:

a. Baptismal certificate

b. Census record

c. Certificate of circumcision

d. Early school record

e. Family Bible record

f. Doctor’s record of post-natal care

g. Newspaper files and insurance papers

* NOTE: These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, created within the first five years of life. The individual may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, Form DSP-10A, from an older blood relative, i.e., a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, who has personal knowledge of the birth. It must be notarized or have the seal and signature of the acceptance agent.