Proof of US citizenship

1. If you were born in the United States, a copy of your birth certificate (front and back), issued by the civil registrar, vital statistics office, or other civil authority.
   
   
2. If you were naturalized, a copy of your naturalization certificate (front and back) issued by USCIS.
   
   
3. If you are were born outside the US and you are a US citizen through your parents, provide:
   1. Your original Certificate of Citizenship, or
      
      
   2. Your Form FS-240 (Report of Birth Abroad of a US citizen), issued by an American embassy or consulate.
      
      
4. A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport; ALL pages or
   
   
5. An original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying that you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport.
   
   

A petitioner who is unable to obtain primary evidence of citizenship may submit other forms of evidence; however, such a petition should be regarded as "not clearly approvable" and forwarded to the USCIS office with jurisdiction. If you do not have any of the above documents and if you were born in the US, look at the section below, unavailability of documents.


Proof of Permanent Resident (Green Card)

A copy of the front and back of your permanent resident card. If you have not yet received your card, submit copies of your passport biographic page and the page showing admission as a permanent resident, or other evidence of permanent resident status issued by USCIS or the former INS.

In such situation, submit a statement from the appropriate civil authority certifying that the document or documents are not available. You must also submit secondary evidence, including:

1. Baptismal certificate: A copy, front and back, of the certificate under the seal of the church, synagogue or other religious entity showing where the baptism, dedication or comparable rite occurred, as well as the date and place of the child's birth, date of baptism and names of the child's parents. The baptism must have occurred within 2 months after the birth of the child.
   
   
2. School record: A letter from the authority (preferably the first school attended) showing the date of admission to the school, the child's date of birth or age at that time, place of birth, and names of the parents.
   
   
3. Census record: State or Federal census record showing the names, place of birth, date of birth or the age of the person listed.
   
   
4. Affidavits: Written statements sworn to or affirmed by two persons who were living at the time and who have personal knowledge of the event you are trying to prove. For example, the date and place of birth, marriage or death. The person making the affidavit does not have to be a U.S. citizen. Each affidavit should contain the following information regarding the person making the affidavit: his or her full name, address, date and place of birth and his or her relationship to you, if any, full information concerning the event, and complete details explaining how the person acquired knowledge of the event.