Proof of U.S. Citizenship

If you have been following the news lately, you know that “proof of U.S. citizenship” is a hot topic.

My youngest daughter just relocated from Arizona back to Virginia, and had to get her vehicle registered in Virginia. When she went to the DMV yesterday, she had her Arizona driver’s license, her social security card, her Virginia birth certificate, her marriage certificate, and an out of date passport.

The passport didn’t count because it was expired, but the other documents were good enough to get a Virginia Real ID Driver’s License, get her vehicle registered, and register to vote in upcoming elections.

This process made me stop and think about “how does one prove that they are a U.S. Citizen?” It appears that the standard is a “birth certificate” stating that “X” was born on such and such date, to so and so parents, at a particular time and at a certain location. A government seal is also affixed to verify authenticity.

If one thinks about this, this has been the “gold” standard forever. Is it foolproof? No! There is nothing that prevents one from using someone elses birth certificate. As a teenager or grown person, this does not guarantee that it is actually that person.

Today, it is possible to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate by applying online, and having it mailed to you. All that is required is to fill out an application, and include the full name and date of birth, place of birth, parent or parents name. Online verification is normally done electronically, and if required, some other form of verification.

Again, is it foolproof? No!

Today, a birth certificate is used for identity verification, obtaining a driver’s license, passport, social security card, and many others.

The current administration is pushing for Congress to pass “The Save America Act” before they do anything about the current Department of Homeland Security government shutdown, that is leaving many government employees without a paycheck.

What is that Act? In essence, it outlines requirements for people to provide physical proof of being a U.S. Citizen, before registering to vote. That proof can be in the form of a birth certificate or a passport. A government issued ID is then required, in order to cast a vote in any federal election.

The typical driver’s license or government –issued photo ID card, doesn’t show birthplace or citizenship. The ID would have to be presented, together with a birth certificate, a naturalization certificate or adoption degree.

Other acceptable forms of ID might include a valid U.S. Passport, a valid military ID, or a form of Tribal identification.

To obtain a passport, one must prove that they are a U.S. Citizen. How is that accomplished? By using a birth certificate.

Under the Save America Act, many Americans who are citizens might not have the documentation to prove they are a citizen. If the birth certificate doesn’t match their marriage certificate, then that would not be satisfactory. It has been determined that at least 80% of married women take their spouse’s last name. How would they satisfy the identification issue?

Although the “SAVE” bill has passed the House , it has not passed the Senate yet. The current odds makers only give it a 11% chance of passing and becoming law.

Currently, 36 states require voters to provide identification in order to vote on Election Day. Only 24 of the 36, require photo ID. Generally a driver’s license, or a state issued ID or a Military ID are acceptable. Each state has their own list of acceptable ID’s.

In Virginia, there are at least 15 acceptable forms of ID, and none are foolproof.

Forty states allow an individual to sign an affidavit in lieu of providing identification.

This demonstrates that there should be standard requirements that all states must meet.

The “SAVE Act” may just be too unreasonable. There need to be reasonableness in whatever is finally agreed upon. The only absolute way, to prove that a birth certificate, is associated with the person who states that it is his or hers, is a DNA test at birth. That can then be used to validate the person’s DNA later.

That is probably a “bridge too far.” As a result, I am not sure that there is an answer to this dilemma, other than to have standardized requirements that protect all genders and ethnicities.

Jess Sweely

Madison, Virginia

March 25, 2026