United States: Knowledge Base profile
Updated 2 October 2025
About: United States
This document contains useful information about the United States which will assist His Majesty’s Passport Office staff process passport applications.
Contacts
If you have any questions about the document and your line manager or senior caseworker cannot help you or you think that the document has factual errors then email the Guidance team.
If you notice any formatting errors in this document (broken links, spelling mistakes and so on) or have any comments about the layout or navigability of the document then you can email the Guidance team.
Publication
Below is information on when this version of the document was published:
- version 8.0
- published for Home Office staff on 22 September 2025
Changes from last version of this document
This document has been
- updated:
- to give more information about middle names in US passports
- with current gender recognition information
- to explain HM Passport Office will not ask for name alignment when there is a space between surname and surname prefix, for example MC or MAC
- to tell staff the date of marriage shown on the customer’s birth certificate is not sufficient to confirm parental responsibility, the customer will need to provide the marriage certificate
- reformatted in the Legitimacy and parental responsibility section to make searching for this information in each state, territory or federal districts easier to find
United States: names
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about names in the United States including the suffix JR, character limits on US passports, using initials for middle names, how people can change their name in the US and name alignment for US passports.
The United States passport may include:
- forename – in full
- middle names – in full or as initials
- surname – in full
Children can also have the suffix ‘JR’ added to their surname on their birth certificate and this will also be replicated on their United States passport.
The United States passport has space for up to 40 characters in both the forename and surname fields.
Some United States passports contain a space after a surname prefix, such as MC or MAC. The Department of State does not have specific guidance for how this should be formatted. It can be down to the preference of the passport holder.
Change of name
Name changes are legal in the United States. People living outside the United States can apply in person at a United States embassy or consulate to change their name.
A change of name is allowed under the following:
- marriage
- civil partnership
- court order
- divorce or dissolution of civil partnership
- widowed applicants reverting to former or birth name
- change of name deed or statutory declaration
- adoption
- change of name through usage (used for five years or more)
The United States passport may include an observation to record a ‘known as name’, if the holder does not meet the name change criteria mentioned in the bullets above but has assumed a name for professional or other bona fide reasons.
Name alignment
HM Passport Office will not ask the customer to align their United States passport if:
- the name on the British passport application is shown in an observation on the United States passport
- a customer applies for a British passport showing their middle names in full but where the United States passport shows the middle names as initials
- a customer applies for a British passport where the surname has a prefix, for example MC or MAC, and the United States passports show a space between the prefix and the surname
United States: nationality
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about nationality in the United States.
Dual nationality is allowed, except for people working in certain government jobs.
Everyone born in the United States has automatic citizenship, with the exception of children of foreign diplomats.
United States: legitimacy and parental responsibility
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about legitimacy and parental responsibility in the United States.
Legitimacy
Each state has its own laws on legitimacy.
HM Passport Office has information for all states, territories and federal districts.
Parental responsibility
Parental responsibility (PR) in the United States can be referred to as custody in some states, territories and federal districts.
HM Passport Office has information for all states, territories and federal districts.
Staff will need to check the information for each state, territory and federal districts if parents are married to confirm if being married gives both parents PR as there may be other requirements.
For HM Passport Office purposes, the date of marriage on the birth certificate is not acceptable. The customer will need to provide the parents’ marriage certificate even if there is a date of marriage on the customer’s birth certificate.
Where parents are not married each state has its own laws on parental responsibility for unmarried fathers. The mother will have custody of a child in all states, territories and federal districts but there may be times when an unmarried father also has custody depending on the state, territories or federal district laws.
Legitimacy and PR information for all states, territories and federal districts
Press Ctrl (control) key and F together and type in the name of the state, territory or federal district that you need the information for.
Alabama: legitimacy
Alabama recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate:
- if the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- if established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Alabama: parental responsibility
Both parents will have custody if:
- they marry after the child is born; or,
- it is granted by a court order
Alaska: legitimacy
Alaska recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate:
- if the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- if born before 1 July 1997 and the father acknowledges the child in writing
- if born after 1 July 1997 and both parents acknowledge the child in writing
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Alaska: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
American Samoa: legitimacy
American Samoa recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
American Samoa: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if:
- they are named on the birth certificate; or,
- father acknowledges he is the father of the child
Arizona: legitimacy
Arizona does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Arizona: parental responsibility
Father will be given joint custody with the mother if:
- he is named on the birth certificate; and
- a court order gives him it
Arkansas: legitimacy
Arkansas recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth and the father recognises the child
- the parents marry after conception
- the parents never marry, and the father acknowledges the child in writing
- the parents never marry, and the father signs the birth certificate
- established by court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry and the father:
- does not acknowledge the child
- does not sign the birth certificate
Arkansas; parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
California: legitimacy
California does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
California: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Colorado: legitimacy
Colorado does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Colorado: parental responsibility
Both parents have parental responsibility if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: legitimacy
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: parental responsibility
Both parents share custody if a parental relationship is established
Connecticut: legitimacy
From 1 January 2022 Connecticut does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Before 1 January 2022 Connecticut recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- established by a court order
- the parents were not married at the time of birth and:
- the father acknowledges the child either in Connecticut or another state; or,
- the biological parents are listed on the birth certificate
A child will be considered illegitimate if the parents never marry and the father does not acknowledge the child.
Connecticut: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Delaware: legitimacy
Delaware recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- both parents are named on the birth certificate
- illegitimate if the parents never marry and the father is not named on the birth certificate
Delaware: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Florida: legitimacy
Florida recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- the parents never marry, and the father acknowledges the child in writing
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry and the father does not acknowledge the child
Florida: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Georgia: legitimacy
Georgia recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth and the father recognises the child
- the parents never marry, and the father acknowledges the child through a Paternity Acknowledgment Form filed with the Georgia State Office of Vital Records if the child is born between July 1 2008 and July 1 2016
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry and the father does not acknowledge the child
Georgia: parental responsibility
Both parents will have custody if:
- the birth is legitimate; and,
- it is granted by a court order
Guam: legitimacy
Guam recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry between conception and the child’s 18th birthday
- both parents are named on the birth certificate
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry and the father is not named on the birth certificate
Guam: parental responsibility
Both parents will have custody if the birth is legitimate.
Hawaii: legitimacy
Hawaii recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- the parents are named on the birth certificate
- the parents provide written evidence of paternity
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if:
- the parents are not married
- the father is not named on the birth certificate
- the parents do not provide written evidence of paternity
Hawaii: parental responsibility
Both parents share custody unless a court order says otherwise.
Idaho: legitimacy
Idaho recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Idaho: parental responsibility
Both parents share custody if:
- they are both named on the birth certificate; or,
- the father files a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity with vital statistics; or,
- paternity is established by a court order
Illinois: legitimacy
From 1 January 2016 Illinois does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Before 1 January 2016, Illinois recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered legitimate if:
- their parents were at the time of the birth (even if the relationship is declared invalid after the birth):
- married
- in a civil union
- in a substantially similar legal relationship, except as provided by a valid gestational surrogacy contract, or other law
- they were born within 300 days of a marriage, civil union or substantially similar legal relationship ending
- parents’ marriage, civil union or substantially similar legal relationship is declared invalid, but the person consented to being named as a parent on the birth certificate
A child will be considered illegitimate if the parents never:
- marry
- enter into a civil union
- enter into a substantially similar legal relationship
Illinois: parental responsibility
Father will be given joint custody with the mother if:
- paternity is established by a court; or,
- he acknowledges the child
Indiana: legitimacy
Indiana recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- paternity is established by a legal cause of action:
- if the child is at least 20 years of age while the father was alive
- if the child is under 20 years of age while the father was alive
- if the child is under 20 years of age within 5 months of the father’s death
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth and the father acknowledges the child
- the parents are not married, and the father executes an affidavit of paternity
A child will be considered illegitimate if:
- the parents never marry
- the father does not execute an affidavit of paternity
Indiana: parental responsibility
Father will be given joint custody with the mother if:
- they file an affidavit of paternity; or
- it is established by a court order
Iowa: legitimacy
Iowa recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Iowa: parental responsibility
Father will be given joint custody with the mother if:
- he is named on the birth certificate or paternity is acknowledged; and,
- granted by a court order
Kansas: legitimacy
Kansas does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Kansas: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Kentucky: legitimacy
Kentucky does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Kentucky: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Louisiana: legitimacy
Louisiana does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Louisiana: parental responsibility
Father will be given joint custody with the mother:
- if he is named on the birth certificate or paternity has been established; and,
- granted by a court order
Maine: legitimacy
From 15 October 2015 Maine does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Before 15 October 2015 Maine recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Maine: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Maryland: legitimacy
Maryland recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage if the parents marry or enter into a domestic partnership after the birth and the father acknowledges paternity either orally or in writing
- the parents are not married or in a domestic partnership and the father acknowledges the child
- the father has openly acknowledged the child (for example, signed any official documentation as the father)
- established by a court order
- illegitimate, if:
- the parents never marry
- the father does not acknowledge the child whether married (or in a domestic partnership) to the mother or not
Maryland: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Massachusetts: legitimacy
Massachusetts does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Massachusetts: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Michigan: legitimacy
Michigan recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- both parents are named on the birth certificate
- the father acknowledges the child
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry and the father:
- is not named on the birth certificate; or,
- has not acknowledged the child
Michigan: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Minnesota: legitimacy
Minnesota does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Minnesota: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Mississippi: legitimacy
Mississippi recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth and the father acknowledges the child
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Mississippi: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Missouri: legitimacy
Missouri recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Missouri: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Montana: legitimacy
Montana recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Montana: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Nebraska: legitimacy
Nebraska recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Nebraska: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Nevada: legitimacy
Nevada recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Nevada: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
New Hampshire: legitimacy
New Hampshire recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
New Hampshire: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
New Jersey: legitimacy
New Jersey does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
New Jersey: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
New Mexico: legitimacy
New Mexico does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
New Mexico: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
New York: legitimacy
New York recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- established by clear and convincing evidence, for example a genetic marker test, the father has openly acknowledged the child
- illegitimate if:
- the parents never marry
- there is no evidence the father is the father
New York: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
North Carolina: legitimacy
North Carolina recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
North Carolina: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
North Dakota: legitimacy
North Dakota does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
North Dakota: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Ohio: legitimacy
Ohio does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Ohio: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Oklahoma: legitimacy
Oklahoma does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Oklahoma: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Oregon: legitimacy
Oregon does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Oregon: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Pennsylvania: legitimacy
Pennsylvania does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Pennsylvania: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Puerto Rico: legitimacy
Puerto Rico recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Puerto Rico: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate.
Rhode Island: legitimacy
Rhode Island recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Rhode Island: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
South Carolina: legitimacy
South Carolina recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
South Carolina: parental responsibility
Father will be given joint custody with the mother if:
- he is named on the birth certificate or paternity has been established; and,
- granted by a court order
South Dakota: legitimacy
South Dakota recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
South Dakota: parental responsibility
Father will be given joint custody with the mother when:
- he is named on the birth certificate or paternity has been established; and,
- granted by a court order
Tennessee: legitimacy
Tennessee does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Tennessee: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Texas: legitimacy
From 14 June 2001 Texas does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Before 14 June 2001 Texas recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
Texas: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
US Virgin Islands: legitimacy
US Virgin Islands recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage, if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
US Virgin Islands: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Utah: legitimacy
Utah does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Utah: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Vermont: legitimacy
Vermont does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Vermont: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Virginia: legitimacy
Virginia recognises a difference between illegitimate and legitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- their parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if their parents never marry
Virginia: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Washington state: legitimacy
Washington state does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Washington state: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia): legitimacy
Washington D.C. (District of Columbia) recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- the parents are named on the birth certificate
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if:
- the parents never marry
- the father is not named on the birth certificate
Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia): parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
West Virginia: legitimacy
West Virginia recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if the parents never marry
West Virginia: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
Wisconsin: legitimacy
Wisconsin recognises a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births.
A child will be considered:
- legitimate if:
- the parents were married at the time of the birth
- from the time of the marriage if the parents marry after the birth
- established by a court order
- illegitimate if their parents never marry
Wisconsin: parental responsibility
The mother will have sole custody unless the father is granted joint custody by a court order.
Wyoming: legitimacy
Wyoming does not recognise a difference between illegitimate and legitimate births. All children are born legitimate whether their parents were married or not.
Wyoming: parental responsibility
Both parents have custody if they are named on the birth certificate unless a court order removes it.
United States: adoption
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about adoption in the United States.
Adoption is legal in the United States.
Adoption is not usually identifiable on a birth certificate.
Adoptive parents in California and Texas complete a different form, which changes the format of the birth certificate.
United States: surrogacy
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about surrogacy in the United States.
Surrogacy is legal in the United States.
When a surrogate birth is registered, the authorities can add the name of the commissioning parents to the birth certificate meaning the commissioning mother can appear instead of the birth mother.
United States: gender recognition
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about gender recognition in the United States.
From 20 January 2025, transgender citizens are not recognised in the United States.
United States passports issued before 20 January 2025 with a sex marker which is different to the holder’s sex at birth remain valid until their expiry date.
United States: civil partnerships and marriage
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about civil partnerships and marriage in the United States.
Rules surrounding civil partnerships and same sex marriage vary between states.
United States: documents
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about documents from the United States.
Most states have one style of birth, death and marriage certificate. Some states have variations of the theme issued by county or towns. There is no central register for births, deaths and marriages in the United States, records are held at state level.
Birth certificates
Birth records are held in the individual state’s Bureau of Vital Statistics. Birth certificates should have a state or county seal on them and have either been filed within 1 year or issued within 3 months of the birth.
A number of states and the federal district of Washington D.C. (District of Columbia) issue birth certificates showing gender X, the states are:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Washington state
- Wisconsin (available for parent named on the form from July 2021)
- Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia)
From 1 April 2011, all birth certificates issued in the United States are full birth certificates (known as long form birth certificates).
If a mistake is identified on a birth certificate a new document is normally issued. This can vary between states and some amendments are shown at the bottom of the certificate.
Marriage certificates
The rules on recognising a marriage vary between states, religious weddings are recognised if the person conducting the marriage is licensed with the state. Marriages are recorded in the state the marriage took place.
If the customer cannot produce a marriage certificate, they can get a certified copy from the State or County Clerk confirming the marriage has been registered with them.
Death certificates
Death certificates are issued for all deaths. There is no central register.
Identity documents
The United States passport has space for up to 40 characters in both the forename and surname fields.
The United States allows customers to use an initial in place of their middle name in identity documents, depending on the form the customer completes to submit their application. Passports may include an observation explaining what the initial stands for.
The United States does not have a national identity card, proof of legal residency or immigration status is required for other types of identity, for example, driving licences, or to confirm legal visitor status.
A number of states and the federal district of Washington D.C allow the gender marker ‘X’ on their state identity cards, the states are:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington