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.
  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

• 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:

• Lists the documentation used to create it, and
• Is 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:

1. Letter of “No Record found”,  issued by the Vital Statistics office of the state of your birth stating your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you
2. 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

These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of the applicant’s life.

You may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, form DS-10, ( *PDF document) 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:

1. 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.

The following are NOT proof of citizenship:

• Voter registration cards
• Army discharge papers

Information on foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens.

If you travel extensively, you may request a larger 48-page passport at no additional cost. To do so, please attach a signed request for a 48-page passport to your application.

For minors under the age of 16:

The citizenship evidence submitted for minors under the age of 16 must list both parents’ names.

Evidence of Relationship to Parents or Guardians

Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s) or guardian(s).

You will need to submit one of the following:

• Certified U.S. birth certificate (with parents’ names); or
• Certified Foreign Birth Certificate (with parents’ names and translation, if necessary); or
• Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) (with parents’ names); or
• Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) (with parents’ names); or
• Adoption Decree (with adopting parents’ names); or
• Court Order Establishing Custody; or
• Court Order Establishing Guardianship.

If the parent(s)’ or guardian’s names vary from those on the documents, evidence of legal name change is required.

Parental Identification

Each parent or guardian must submit one of the following:

• Valid Drivers License
• Valid Official U.S. Military ID
• Valid U.S. Government ID
• Valid U.S. or Foreign Passport with recognizable photo
• Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from USCIS with recognizable photo
• Alien Resident Card from USCIS

Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity.

If none of these are available, you will need a person who can vouch for your identity and a combination of signed documents.

The person 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.

The combination of signed documents can include cards such as a Social Security card, bank card, library card.

Proof of Identity

Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity.

The applicant’s identity can be proven with any one of these:

• Previous U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of U.S. citizenship.)
• Naturalization Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Valid Drivers License
• Valid Official U.S. Military ID
• Valid U.S. Government ID
• Valid U.S. or Foreign Passport with recognizable photo
• Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from USCIS with recognizable photo
• Alien Resident Card from USCIS

If none of these are available, you will need a person who can vouch for your identity and a combination of signed documents.

The person 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.

The combination of signed documents can include cards such as a Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card.

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.

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.

The American Citizens Services section at the U.S. Embassy in Apia, provides the following Social Security services:

• Reporting a change of address;
• Reporting death of a beneficiary;
• Reporting non-receipt of monthly Social Security check;
• Applying for a Social Security number or benefits.

For more detailed assistance, please contact the Social Security Administration directly using one of the methods listed below.

Social Security Number/Card

If applying for a first Social Security number/card, requesting a replacement card, or documenting a name change, please click here for the appropriate application form and instructions.

Important:

• If the applicant is age 12 or older, and has never been assigned a Social Security number, the applicant must apply in person at the Embassy.  Additionally, applicants must include documentation demonstrating continuous residence outside the United States, i.e. School, University records, employment records.

Processing time for applications for a Social Security Number/card is generally 3-4 months.

Claim for Social Security Benefits

The Social Security office at the American Embassy in Manila, Philippines, provides direct service to Social Security beneficiaries living in Samoa.  Please see their Claims Enquiries information below to file an application for benefits.

When contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA), please have readily available your Social Security number, name, address, telephone number and area code, and information concerning the issues you wish to discuss. To reduce your cost, you may request that SSA return your telephone call at their expense.

Direct Deposit for Social Security Benefits

If you are receiving monthly Social Security benefits or pension you are eligible to have this benefit directly deposited into your Samoa bank account. Please visit our American Citizen section during Consular hours from 9-11am.

Contact details for the Social Security office in Manila:

Ph: +63 2 522 4716 or +63 2 526 5936
Fax: +63 2 522 1514
Email: FBU.Manila@ssa.gov

Mail:

Social Security Division
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office
American Embassy
1131 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita 0930 Manila
Philippines