Policy – CNCS: Primary Documentation to Establish
Proof of Citizenship
For AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps NCCC you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or legal permanent resident alien of the United States to be an AmeriCorps member. For AmeriCorps VISTA, you must have one of the following citizenship statuses: U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens, or persons legally residing in a state that have the following legal residency classifications: refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status.
Acceptable Forms of Certifying Status as a US Citizen or National
- A birth certificate showing that the individual was born in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands;
- A United States passport;
- A report of birth abroad of a U.S. Citizen (FS-240) issued by the State Department;
- A certificate of birth-foreign service (FS 545) issued by the State Department;
- A certification of report of birth (DS-1350) issued by the State Department;
- A certificate of naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570) issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service; or
- A certificate of citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Acceptable Forms of Certifying Status as a Lawful Permanent Resident of the US
- Permanent Resident Card, INS Form I-551;
- Alien Registration Receipt Card, INS Form I-551;
- A passport indicating that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence; or
- A Departure Record (INS Form I-94) indicating that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence.
If none of the above is available, the program must obtain written approval from the Corporation that other documentation is sufficient to demonstrate the individual’s status as a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien.
AmeriCorps does not permit the following as proof of citizenship:
- I-9 Form
- Driver’s License (although this may serve as government issued photo ID which is also required to enroll)
- Social Security Card (although a copy of this is required for enrollment)
- E-Verify is also not acceptable