Disclaimer: This site may earn affiliate commissions from your purchases through our links, at no extra cost. Learn more.

How to Request File Search When Applying for a New United States Passport

Request for File Search and Verification of US CitizenshipAmerican citizens who have lost their primary evidence of U.S. citizenship but have previously been issued a passport or Report of Birth Abroad can request a file search when submitting the application for a new passport.

If you have had a previously-issued U.S. passport book or card and a record of that document is located during the file search, the record can serve as evidence of U.S. citizenship for application purposes.

There is no guarantee that a record will be located. If you make the request and Passport Services does not find any record of a previously-issued passport or Report of Birth Abroad, your new passport application process will not be completed. The $150 fee for a file search is non-refundable.

Applicants whose situation is not urgent are asked to obtain primary evidence of U.S. citizenship before submitting the application for a new passport.

How to Request a File Search Form

Information requested on the file search form is provided below with a link to download a digital copy immediately following.

United States Department of State
Passport Services

REQUEST FOR FILE SEARCH AND VERIFICATION OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP

          Last Name:                                                             

          First and Middle Name(s):                                                             

          Date and Place of Birth:                                                             

Select the Document for Which You are Submitting This Request

      Passport Book           Passport Card           Consular Report of Birth Abroad

          Name as Listed in Document:                                                             

          Date of Issue:                               

          Passports Only:

          Date of Expiration:                               

          Passport Number:                               

          Endorsement(s):                               

I hereby request Passport Services to initiate a file search to verify that I have been issued a U.S. Passport or that a Consular Report of Birth Abroad was filed for me. I agree to pay the applicable fee for this service. I understand that this service is performed solely for issuance of a passport under urgent circumstances and I will not receive a copy of my previous passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

Signature:                                                              Date:                     

Download Request for a File Search and Verification of U.S. Citizenship form

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry?
2. What exactly does a passport expediter do?
3. Are passport expediting services legitimate?
4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor?
5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

Get answers to these questions and more in our Ultimate U.S. Traveler's Guide to Passport Expediters.

You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting.

In a Hurry? Get Reliable Expedited Passport Courier Service:Expedite My U.S.Passport Now!
About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

Get the Latest Updates

Fill out the form, tick all boxes, click subscribe for updates on passports and travel news.