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

American 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
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