I don’t have a birth certificate.

How do I prove citizenship to get my passport?

You will use the DS-10 birth affidavit.
The DS-10 Birth Affidavit is a legal document used to establish U.S. citizenship for individuals who do not have an acceptable birth certificate. It serves as a secondary form of evidence of U.S. citizenship, providing a written statement by a witness to the birth circumstances. Download the form here.

Purpose:

• To confirm the birth of a U.S. citizen in the United States
• To provide alternative evidence of citizenship when a birth certificate is unavailable or unacceptable
• To accompany a passport application when an acceptable birth certificate cannot be submitted
  

Components:

• A written statement by the affiant (witness) describing the birth circumstances
• Identification information for the affiant
• Information about the applicant’s birth, including date, place, and time
• A declaration by the affiant that they have personal knowledge of the birth facts
  

Acceptable Affiants:

• A parent or guardian who was present at the birth
• A doctor, nurse, or other medical professional who attended the birth
• A government official or other authorized individual with knowledge of the birth
  

Submission Requirements:

• The completed DS-10 Birth Affidavit form
• Supporting documentation, such as early public records or other evidence of citizenship
• A passport application (Form DS-11)
  

Note: The DS-10 Birth Affidavit is not a substitute for a birth certificate but rather a supplementary document to establish U.S. citizenship. It may be used in conjunction with other evidence, such as early public records or hospital records, to confirm citizenship.