What Documents Should You Carry (Part 2)
Credit: PeaceProject.com In 2026 I've received more inquiries, than my entire career to date, about the necessity for a Certificate of Citizenship (CoC). This is document is not proof of attaining citizenship, in which chase one would attain a Certificate of Naturalization (CoN). but when one is already a citizenship but doesn't have a U.S. birth certificate. CoCs are issued in limited but important situations where one was born outside America but, under law, still a U.S. citizen by virtue of their U.S. citizen lineage. Lots of ins and outs for eligibility for both CoCs and CoNs. But the most common reasons to issue Certificates of Citizenship are 1) foreign adoption by American parents and, 2) birth abroad to American parents. Notice I say reason for issuing, and not requirement . This is because someone in these (and some other) situations can actually obtain a U.S. passort directly from that agency by showing proof of their citizenship. Most people j...