Acceptable Proof of Citizenship

Use this guide to find valid documents that prove your U.S. or Canadian citizenship. For U.S. citizens, commonly accepted documents include a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. Canadian citizens may use a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship card. Additional documents may be accepted in certain cases. Be sure to provide a government-issued document, not a hospital certificate.

Acceptable Proof of U.S. Citizenship

• U.S. Passport (valid or expired)
• U.S. Birth Certificate (issued by a city, county, or state – not a hospital certificate)
• Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
• Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) (Form FS-240)
• Other Acceptable Evidence (case-specific):
• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) (available in certain states; includes citizenship proof)
• Tribal documents (for members of federally recognized tribes, if accepted by the agency)

Acceptable Proof of Canadian Citizenship

• Canadian Passport
• Canadian Birth Certificate (issued by a province or territory – not a hospital certificate)
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (both older paper versions and newer card versions)
• Canadian Citizenship Card (issued prior to 2012 – no longer produced but still valid)
• Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (for Canadians born outside Canada before 1977)
• Other Acceptable Evidence (case-specific):
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) (if recognized as status Indian under Canadian law)