A child born in the US — citizen at birth, whatever your status

When a baby is born in the United States, that child becomes a U.S. citizen from day one, regardless of the parents' immigration status. This fundamental right flows from the Fourteenth Amendment. After your child's birth, you will need to complete three essential paperwork tasks within the first weeks: secure an official birth certificate, apply for a Social Security number, and obtain a U.S. passport. These documents form the foundation of your child's American identity and will be needed throughout their life.

Birthright citizenship: your child is a citizen at birth

Birthright citizenship is a constitutional guarantee. Every person born on U.S. soil is automatically a U.S. citizen at birth, with only rare exceptions. These exceptions are extremely narrow—for example, children born to accredited foreign diplomats on U.S. soil would not qualify. But if you were in the United States on any legal visa, as an undocumented resident, as a temporary visitor, or with any other status, your baby born here is a full U.S. citizen from the moment of birth.

This rule applies uniformly across all fifty states and U.S. territories. Your child's citizenship is not conditional on your status, and it cannot be revoked later. It is one of the clearest and most stable legal facts your child will have in their American life.

Step 1: Order an official birth certificate

A certified birth certificate is your child's primary proof of citizenship, identity, and age. You will need multiple certified copies—usually at least three—for school enrollment, passport applications, Social Security applications, and various legal and financial matters.

How to order: state vital records office

Birth certificates are issued and maintained by each state's vital records or vital statistics office, typically within the state health department. When your baby is born in a hospital, staff will give you information about how to request certified copies. Do not assume the hospital sends the certificate to you automatically—you usually must request it.

You have several ordering options: online through VitalChek (an authorized third-party vendor that works with most states' vital records offices), by mail to your state's vital records office, or in person. Processing times and fees vary by state. Online orders are typically the fastest, often taking two to four weeks; mail orders can take four to twelve weeks or longer.

To order, you will need to provide your child's full name, date of birth, parents' names, and sometimes the hospital or county where the birth occurred. When you order, request a certified copy (not an informational copy)—you will need the official seal for most legal uses.

State-by-state variation

Birth certificate fees, processing times, and ordering procedures vary widely by state. Some states charge a flat fee of $15 per certificate; others charge $25 to $35 for rush or online orders. Some states allow in-person pickup within days; others take weeks no matter the method. Visit your state's vital records office website (search '[Your State] vital records' or '[Your State] Department of Health vital statistics') to find exact fees, processing times, and current contact information.

Step 2: Apply for a Social Security number

A Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit identifier issued by the Social Security Administration. You will need it to file taxes, open a bank account for your child, enroll in school, and access government benefits. Getting an SSN early is voluntary but strongly recommended.

Apply at the hospital (easiest path)

The simplest approach is to apply while you are still in the hospital after your baby is born. When you complete the birth certificate application paperwork, the hospital staff will ask whether you want to apply for a Social Security number. If you say yes, you will provide both parents' SSNs (if you have them), and the hospital will forward the application to your state's vital records office, which will then send it to the Social Security Administration. There is no fee for this service.

Using the hospital path is preferable because it is faster and simpler than applying later at a Social Security office. The Social Security card typically arrives one to six weeks after you apply, depending on how quickly your state processes the birth certificate paperwork.

Apply later at a Social Security office

If you did not apply at the hospital, you can apply later at your local Social Security office in person. You can also start an online application at ssa.gov/number-card. You will need to complete Form SS-5 and bring original documents proving your child's age, identity, and U.S. citizenship (such as a birth certificate and hospital record), plus proof of your own identity. Processing typically takes six to twelve weeks after you submit your in-person application.

Step 3: Get a U.S. passport

A U.S. passport is not just a travel document—it is the cleanest, most portable proof of your child's citizenship that exists. Unlike a birth certificate (which is issued by a state and can vary in format), a passport is issued by the federal government and recognized worldwide. We strongly recommend obtaining one early, even if you do not have immediate travel plans.

When to apply

You can apply for a passport as soon as you have your child's birth certificate and Social Security number. There is no minimum age. Passport processing can take four to six weeks under normal conditions, or two to three weeks if you pay for expedited service. If you need to travel, plan ahead.

What you need

• Completed Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport for a Minor Under Age 16)
• Your child's certified birth certificate (original or certified copy)
• Your child's Social Security number
• A color passport photo of your child (2x2 inches, specific photo requirements apply)
• Physical government-issued photo ID for both parents or guardians
• Payment for the application and acceptance fees

As of July 2026, the passport application fee for children under 16 is $105, plus an acceptance facility fee (typically $35). This total of approximately $140 does not include a passport photo. You can request a passport card (for land and sea travel to nearby countries) at the same time for an additional $40. Both parents must appear in person with the child at a passport acceptance facility, unless one parent completes a notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent).

Where to apply

You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility in the United States. These include post offices, courthouses, and some libraries and city/county offices. Search for a facility near you on the State Department's website (travel.state.gov). You cannot renew a child's passport issued before they turn 16; when it expires, you must apply in person for a new one.

Your child may also hold citizenship in your home country

Many countries grant citizenship based on parentage (called jus sanguinis), separate from citizenship based on place of birth (jus soli). If you hold citizenship in another country, your child born in the United States may also be entitled to that country's citizenship by descent. This is dual citizenship, and it is legal under U.S. law—the United States does not require you or your child to choose between American and foreign citizenship.

Register at your consulate early

To establish your child's citizenship in your home country, you will typically need to register the birth at your country's embassy or consulate in the United States. Some countries have strict time windows for this registration—as short as 30 to 90 days after birth. Missing these windows can make it much harder or impossible to register later. Even if your home country has no deadline, it is wise to register early while documents are fresh and both parents can be present if required.

Contact your nearest consulate as soon as your baby is born to ask what documents are required (typically the birth certificate, marriage certificate, your passport, and citizenship documents) and whether both parents must be present. Many consulates allow you to start an application online, but you may still need to visit in person for final processing.

Different countries, different rules

Every country has different citizenship laws, documentation requirements, and consular procedures. Some countries recognize dual citizenship freely; others permit it only up to a certain age and then require a choice. Some require both parents to be citizens; others only require one. Research your specific country's rules or contact your consulate directly. Having your child registered in your home country can simplify future visits, inheritance, or a decision to move back later.

Summary: the paperwork trio and beyond

1. Birth certificate: Order certified copies from your state vital records office. Fees and processing times vary by state.
2. Social Security number: Apply at the hospital before you leave, or apply later at a local Social Security office. There is no fee.
3. U.S. passport: Apply in person at a passport acceptance facility once you have a birth certificate and SSN. Current fee is approximately $140 for a passport book plus acceptance fee.

Your child's U.S. citizenship is automatic, unconditional, and permanent from birth. Completing these three paperwork steps early ensures your child has clear proof of citizenship and identity for school, travel, banking, and any other life event requiring legal documentation. If your child may also be entitled to citizenship from your home country, contact your consulate promptly to understand local deadlines and requirements—missing registration windows can have lasting consequences.