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Can I use a birth registration notice in place of a certified birth certificate to get passport?

by Matthew
(Delta, PA USA)

Question: I have a Birth Registration Notice. It gives my name, that I am a twin, my birth date and the place where I was born.


It has an embossed print on it. Will this suffice as my birth certificate? I also have a certificate of baptism.

Answer: Persons born in the United States will normally submit a certified birth certificate from the city, town, county or state wherein the birth occurred. To be acceptable, the certificate must show:

1. The applicant's full name
2. The applicant's date of birth
3. The applicant's place of birth in the U.S.
4. A filing date recorded within one year of birth
5. A raised, embossed, or multi-color seal from the issuing office
6. The signature of the registrar or official custodian of birth records

NOTE: A U.S. Citizen may submit a previous U.S. Passport issued to them or in which they were included as proof of U.S. Citizenship.

NOTE: Minors under 16 must submit a certified birth certificate listing parent(s). This type of birth certificate is also helpful for minors age 16-17.

California Abstracts of birth are not acceptable as evidence of citizenship.

"Hospital birth records" and "baptismal certificates" are not considered primary evidence of birth in the US. These documents may be used as secondary citizenship evidence for an applicant with
no birth records on file.

Comments for Can I use a birth registration notice in place of a certified birth certificate to get passport?

Father not on birth certificate
by: Anonymous

Question: My father is not listed on my certified birth certificate. My mothers previous married name is listed as my last name. I have a copy of a birth certificate with the state seal stamped that lists my maiden name as my fathers. My marriage license lists my maiden name as my fathers. Is that sufficient evidence to get my passport? Or do I need some other document showing my name change?

Answer: Please call 1-877-487-2778 to speak with a customer service representative about this issue.




getting a passport
by: sue

Question: Can I use my Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Dept of Health notification of birth registration to get my passport?

Answer: You must submit a certified U.S. birth certificate that meets all of the following requirements:

* Issued by the City, County, or State of birth
* Lists bearer's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
* Lists parent(s) full names
* Has date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
* Has registrar's signature
* Has embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal of registrar

To order a certified copy, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health website.

Return to Supporting Documents for Passports FAQ.

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UPDATE: Mailing delays and high demand are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 10 and 13 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 7 to 9 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.

Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:

Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. ET, call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.

For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.

If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ET.

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