How much documentation can be required to obtain a US passport?

Full question:

I recently applied for a US passport. In a reply, the State Department has requested all manner of additional information and documentation within thirty (30) days or the application will be 'denied.' As I am educated, so I can complete the application. However, obtaining all the documentation asked for will likely require more than thirty days. I have no control over how long court clerks, school superintendents, etc. will take to respond to requests and/or inquiries. It is my belief that the State Department request for such exhaustive information is tantamount to denial, in which case I have lost $100.00 to begin with. Furthermore, I believe that they will use this denial_however unreasonable_as a basis for another denial. They will claim the first denial is the fault of the applicant.The request for this quantity of additional information is unreasonable and places an undue burden on the respondent. It is simply an effort to have me, the applicant, supply them with one or more reasons for denial on more substantive grounds if they can come up with any, and hopefully with my help. They are on a fishing expedition for incriminating information. In any event, I do not think that voluntarily providing the government with such a complete file on me is a wise thing to do and smacks of a lot of things, none of them good.Assuming I want one and can find one, which is not a given, what kind of lawyer would I need for this? What area of expertise? What if I can't get a lawyer? I have contacted literally hundreds of lawyers over the last few decades for everything from divorce to assault by police and wound up representing myself out of necessity. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR MANY PEOPLE TO GET A LAWYER NOW. They just say no or don't respond at all. Let me assure you: If I can't get one_educated, middle income, and the adult child of lawyers_tens of millions of other people can't, either. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

• Category: Civil Rights
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Mississippi

Answer:

A passport does not of itself entitle the passport holder entry into another country, nor to consular protection while abroad or any other privileges. It does, however, normally entitle the passport holder to return to the country that issued the passport. Rights to consular protection arise from international agreements, and the right to return arises from the laws of the issuing country. A passport does not represent the right or the place of residence of the passport holder in the country that issued the passport.

In order to obtain a passport from the US, the government will ask for the following:

To Apply in Person for a U.S. Passport You MUST:

1. Provide Application for Passport, Form DS-11

can be obtained from any passport agency or acceptance facility. (Call to check hours of availability.)
NOTE: Please do NOT sign the DS-11 application form until the Passport Acceptance Agent instructs you to do so.

2. Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship

All documentation submitted as evidence of U.S. Citizenship will be returned with the issued passport. You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following:

Previous U.S. Passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of U.S. citizenship.)
Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state
NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Please note that some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.

Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
Naturalization Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship
A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if it:

Listed the documentation used to create it and
Signed by the attending physician or midwife, or, lists an affidavit signed by the parents, or shows early public records.
If you do NOT have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, you will need:

Letter of No Record
Issued by the State with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you.

AND as many of the following as possible:
Baptismal certificate
Hospital birth certificate
Census record
Early school record
Family bible record
Doctor's record of post-natal care
NOTES: These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life. You may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, form DS-10, from an older blood relative, i.e., a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, who has personal knowledge of your birth. It must be notarized or have the seal and signature of the acceptance agent. If you were born abroad AND do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Birth on file, you will need:

If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to one U.S. citizen parent:
Foreign birth certificate,
Proof of citizenship of your U.S. citizen parent, AND
An affidavit of your U.S. citizen parent showing all periods and places of residence or physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.
If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to two U.S. citizen parents:
Your foreign birth certificate,
Parent’s marriage certificate, AND
Proof of citizenship of your U.S. parents and an affidavit of your U.S. citizen parents showing all periods and places of residence of physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.
Click here for additional information on documentation of U.S. citizens born abroad who acquire citizenship at birth NOTE: The following are NOT proof of citizenship

Voter registration cards
Army discharge papers
Information on foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens. NOTE: If you travel extensively, you may request more Visa pages in your passport at no additional cost. To do so, please attach a signed request for additional Visa pages to be added to your application. 48-page passport s are no longer available in the U.S. or abroad. FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14: The citizenship evidence submitted for minors under the age of 14 must list both parents' names. Read more information on the citizenship requirements for minors under the age of 14.

3. Present Proof of Identity

You may prove your identity with any one of these, if you are recognizable:

Previous U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as proof of identity.)
Naturalization Certificate
Current, valid
Driver's license
Government ID: city, state or federal
Military ID: military and dependents
NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity. If none of these are available , you will need:

Some signature documents, not acceptable alone as ID
(ex: a combination of documents, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc.) AND

A person who can vouch for you. He/she must:
Have known you for at least 2 years,
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
Have valid ID, and
Fill out a Form DS-71 in the presence of a passport agent.
FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14: Each minor child shall appear in person. Both parents or legal guardians must present evidence of identity when they apply for a minor under the age of 14. Read more information on the identity requirements for minors under the age of 14. FOR MINORS 14 to 17:

Your child MUST appear in person.
For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child, present identification and co-sign the application.
4. Provide Two Passport Photos

Your photographs must be:

2x2 inches in size
Identical
Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
Color
Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Taken in normal street attire
Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

If you believe that the information sought through the passport application process is excess and/or invasive, you could explore whether or not your civil rights are being violated. A civil rights attorney would explain any claims you may be able to pursue.