PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP
(a) APPLICANTS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES. Submit previous U.S. passport
or certified birth certificate. A birth certificate must include your
given name and surname, date and place of birth, date the birth record
was filed, and seal or other certification of the official custodian
of such records. A record filed more than a year after the birth is
acceptable if its is supported by evidence described in the next paragraph.
IF NO BIRTH RECORD EXISTS, submit registrar's notice to that effect.
Also submit an early baptismal or circumcision certificate, hospital
birth record, early census, school, or family Bible records, newspaper
or insurance files, or notarized affidavits of persons having knowledge
of your birth (preferably with at least one record listed above). Evidence
should include your given name and surname, date and place of birth,
and seal or other certification of office and signature of issuing official.
(b) APPLICANTS BORN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. Submit pervious U.S.
Passport or Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship,
or a Report of Birth Abroad, or evidence described. IF YOU CLAIM CITZENSHIP
THROUGH BIRTH ABROAD TO U.S. CITIZEN PARENT(S), submit a Consular Report
of Birth (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth (Form DS-1350 or FS-545),
or your foreign birth certificate, parent's marriage certificate proof
of citizenship of your parent(s) and affidavit of U.S. citizen parent(s)
showing all periods and places of residence/physical presence in the
United States and abroad before your birth.
PROOF OF IDENTITY You must establish your identity to the agent's satisfaction. It is
required, that you submit items such as the following containing your
signature AND physical description or photograph that is of good
likeliness of you: previous U.S. passport; Certificate of Naturalization
or of Citizenship; driver's license (not temporary or learner's
license); or government (Federal, State, municipal) identification card
or pass. Temporary or altered documents are not acceptable. In
cases requiring additional information other documents have proved
helpful, such as: professional identification cards, student
identification cards, military discharge, medicare
card, welfare card, certificate of marriage, divorce decree, grammar
school diploma, college diploma, insurance records, certificate of
baptism, confirmation certificate, voter registration card, vehicle
registration and or title, immunization record, and food handler's card.
At least five of these items should be submitted with an identifying
witness present. Please speak with an agent when in doubt.
TWO PHOTOGRAPHS Submit two identical photographs of you alone, sufficiently recent
to be a good likeness (taken within the last six months.), 2 x 2 inches
in size, with an image size from bottom of chin to top of head
(including hair) of between 1 and 3/8 inches. Photographs must be clear,
front view, full face, taken in normal street attire without a hat or
dark glasses unless there is supporting documentation, and printed on
thin paper with plain light (white or off-white) background. Photos are
to be taken in colored only. They must be capable of withstanding a
mounting temperature of 225 Fahrenheit (107
Celsius). Photographs retouched so that your appearance is changed are
unacceptable. Snapshots, most vending machine prints, and magazine or
full-length photographs are not acceptable.
FEES
Submit $97 if
you are 16 years of age or older. The passport fee is $55. In addition,
a fee of $30 is charged for the execution of the application as well as
a security surcharge of $12. Your passport will be valid for 10 years
from the date of issue except where limited by the Secretary of State to
a shorter period. Submit $82
if you are 15 years of age or younger. The passport fee is $40, the
execution fee is $30, and the security surcharge is $12. Your passport
will be valid for 5 years from the date of issue, except where limited
as above.
ADDITIONAL FEES
An additional $60 fee will be charged when, upon request, the
Department of State verifies issuance of a previous U.S. passport or
Consular Report of Birth Abroad because the customer is unable to submit
evidence of U.S. citizenship. Add $60 per application for
expedited service. Price does not include urgent mailing or delivery
service. This service must be arranged by the customer.
