Why is the passport agency asking me for more documents?

by Kimberly
(Los Angeles)

I’m going to write down what the letter says…

“Thank you for your recent passport application. We need help in providing the necessary evidence of United States citizenship or nationality. The evidence you submitted is not acceptable for passport purposes for the reason(s) stated below.

The birth was recorded more than one year after the birth occurred. The certificate does not show what evidence was used to create the record or the evidence is insufficient for passport purposes.”

If I send them at lease 3 documents, will I be able to still get my passport? I’m planning to send them my baptism certificate, copy of my immunization record (I just have a copy – Is that fine?) and the birth affidavit.

I’m not able to contact my biological parents because they abandoned my sister and I when we were little.

Well, I hope these documents help me because I really need my passport. If they do accept it do you know how long more I am going to wait?

-------------------

Kimberly,

If you cannot provide primary proof of citizenship such as a previously issued passport or a certified birth certificate, you must submit secondary evidence.

A Delayed Birth Certificate (filed more than one year after birth) is only acceptable if it 1) lists the documentation used to create it (preferably early public records) and 2) It is signed by the birth attendant or lists an affidavit signed by the parents.

Since the birth certificate you submitted does not meet these requirements, you must submit other evidence.

One option is to submit a combination of early public records as evidence of your U.S. citizenship. Early public records must be submitted together with a Letter of No Record (see below).

Early public records should show your name, date of birth, place of birth, and preferably be created within the first five years of your life. Examples of early public records are:

* Baptismal certificate
* Hospital birth certificate
* Census record
* Early school record
* Family bible record
* Doctor's record of post-natal care

Early Public Records are not acceptable when presented alone. A Letter of No Record must be submitted together with Early Public Records.

You must present a state-issued Letter of No Record showing:

* Your name
* Your date of birth
* The years for which a birth record was searched
* Acknowledgment that no birth certificate was found on file

Another option is to submit Form DS-10: Birth Affidavit as additional evidence of your U.S. citizenship. You must also submit Early Public Records when submitting Form DS-10: Birth Affidavit. The birth affidavit:

* Must be notarized
* Must be submitted in person with Form DS-11
* Must be submitted together with early public records
* Must be completed by an affiant who has personal knowledge of birth in the U.S.
* Must state briefly how the affiant's knowledge was acquired
* Should be completed by an older blood relative

NOTE: If no older blood relative is available, the affiant may be the attending physician or any other person who has personal knowledge of the birth.

Evidence for citizenship must be original documents or certified copies. Photocopies are not accepted. The documents will be returned to you.

It is recommended that you mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method.

Additionally, in order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process, you are encouraged to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.

Regular processing takes 4-6 weeks. It can take longer in some cases.

Best regards,

William