Can I get my passport made without giving a birth certificate?

+1 vote
asked Jun 10 in Other- Health by Alicewi (580 points)

Obtaining a passport without a birth certificate is challenging but possible under certain circumstances. Any government typically requires a birth certificate as primary proof of citizenship for a passport application. However, if you were born at home and your birth was never recorded by the municipal authorities, alternative documentation can be used to establish your identity and citizenship.

You will need to provide secondary evidence of your birth and identity to get a birth certificate. This can include:

Early Public Records: Such as a baptismal certificate, hospital birth certificate, or early school records. These documents should ideally be from within the first few years of your life and must include your name, date, and place of birth, as well as your parents' names.

Affidavits: Statements from relatives or other people who have personal knowledge of your birth. These affidavits should be notarized and come from people who can attest to the circumstances of your birth and why no official record exists.

Government Records: If applicable, documents like your parents' tax returns listing you as a dependent, or other government records also show you as their heir.

You will need to submit A birth affidavit along with your passport application and any supporting documents. Be prepared for the process to take longer as the State Department will thoroughly review all the alternative evidence provided.

In essence, while obtaining a passport without a birth certificate involves additional steps and documentation, it is possible with the proper preparation and supporting evidence.

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Jun 10 by Quackenbush (11,470 points)
You can get your passport made without giving a birth certificate, but if you don't have your birth certificate then you will need to follow detailed steps to gather the right documentation.

Before you do that, try to get the birth certificate from the hospital or the vital records department for your state.

To prove citizenship without a birth certificate you will need either of the following.

U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card, current or expired (issued without limitation).
Certificate of U.S. Citizenship. Form N-560. ...
Certificate of Naturalization. Forms N-550, N-570.
Documentary evidence issued by a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe.

U.S. citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea. All travelers must have a passport book for international air travel.

Please note that hospital-issued birth certificates, voter registration cards, and affidavits cannot be used.

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