Does my US wife need a passport when I file for AoS?

[Ste]

I was looking through the required documents for i-130 and they list a passport to show my wifes US citizenship. All she has is a birth certificate as she dosent travel nor has future plans to travel outside USA.

Is the birth certificate enough or is she required to get a passport as my petitioner?

Thanks.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

I was looking through the required documents for i-130 and they list a passport to show my wifes US citizenship. All she has is a birth certificate as she dosent travel nor has future plans to travel outside USA.

Is the birth certificate enough or is she required to get a passport as my petitioner?

Thanks.

The issue with birth certificates is that they do not have a picture or fingerprints. It's OK but she will have to show another ID that verifies who the birth certificate says she is.
It's happened in places like El Paso, that Immigration Officers have questioned the validity of birth certificates, because historically, there's been a lot of fraud around birth certificates. Here's this article. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/29/u...it-system.html

It happens and it happens often. So if the ISO doubts the validity of your wife's birth certificate, don't be offended. They're doing their job.

Some say that you do not know if government considers you a citizen until you have obtained a passport from the Department of State. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...=.5a4b276e3e51

[Ste]

The issue with birth certificates is that they do not have a picture or fingerprints. It's OK but she will have to show another ID that verifies who the birth certificate says she is.
It's happened in places like El Paso, that Immigration Officers have questioned the validity of birth certificates, because historically, there's been a lot of fraud around birth certificates. Here's this article. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/29/u...it-system.html

It happens and it happens often. So if the ISO doubts the validity of your wife's birth certificate, don't be offended. They're doing their job.

Some say that you do not know if government considers you a citizen until you have obtained a passport from the Department of State. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...=.5a4b276e3e51

Thanks for that quick reply. I was planning on sending the birth certificate along with a copy of her US drivers license. She for some reason dosent feel like she wants a passport, dosent feel she needs one because she has no plans on travelling.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Thanks for that quick reply. I was planning on sending the birth certificate along with a copy of her US drivers license. She for some reason dosent feel like she wants a passport, dosent feel she needs one because she has no plans on travelling.

A passport card is cheaper. In this political climate, I'd say everyone needs tangible proof of their US citizenship, especially if you aren't blonde/blue eyed. I carry my US passport card with me. My passport stays in my safe.

We live just a few hours from Canada. I've told my husband several times - if $hit hits the ceiling, meet me in Canada.

[WaitedLongEnough]

I was looking through the required documents for i-130 and they list a passport to show my wifes US citizenship. All she has is a birth certificate as she dosent travel nor has future plans to travel outside USA.

Is the birth certificate enough or is she required to get a passport as my petitioner?

Thanks.

My husband and I used his birth certificate. He hasn?t renewed his passport since the early 90s. I am certain we will have to show them original documents or more identification at the actual interview (when and if we get there ).

[newacct]

I was looking through the required documents for i-130 and they list a passport to show my wifes US citizenship. All she has is a birth certificate as she dosent travel nor has future plans to travel outside USA.

Is the birth certificate enough or is she required to get a passport as my petitioner?

Thanks.

No, she does not need a passport. A birth certificate showing birth in the US is enough. The I-130 instructions says any one of the listed evidence of US citizenship is enough: a birth certificate showing birth in the US, or a valid US passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship, or a CRBA. She doesn't need more than one of those.

[Ste]

No, she does not need a passport. A birth certificate showing birth in the US is enough. The I-130 instructions says any one of the listed evidence of US citizenship is enough: a birth certificate showing birth in the US, or a valid US passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship, or a CRBA. She doesn't need more than one of those.

Thanks a lot for explaining that!