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.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Mailing delays 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 8 and 11 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.
Expedited service takes from 5 to 7 weeks exluding mailing times on the front and back end. Mailing delays may be significant so requesting 1-2-day mailing may greatly help.
Regional passport agencies are offering extremely limited in-person services if you need to travel internationally in the next 5 business days. Those with qualified life-or-death emergencies are prioritized.
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 5 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 AM to 5PM, call ET 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793)
Outside of these hours, 202-647-4000
You can schedule your appointment up to 2 weeks before your international travel but the date of your appointment must be within 5 business days of your international travel. If you need a foreign visa, the date of your appointment must be within 10 business days of your international travel.
Requesting express service at post offices and other facilities that accept application forms from U.S. citizens.
Where processing centers are located. How to schedule an appointment. What documents to take with you.
How to pick a legitimate courier service company to assist in getting your passport quickly.
Guide to help you decide if standard or fast track processing is the best option for your situation.
Learn to expedite passport renewals as quickly as the same day. Where and how to renew passport in a hurry.
Watch step-by-step instructional passport videos of how to renew a passport in 3 steps.
Use the online Passport Photo Wizard tool to make your own passport photos in minutes. Save money and time.
List of the most important travel documents and information about how and where to get them.
Cool ways to make your money stretch farther on travel expenses so that you can go more often and stay longer.