Page 2

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FNS 225 UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP

2 Section 225 Change #6-2021 July 12, 2021 1. The claim of citizenship is inconsistent with statements made by the applicant or with other information on the application or previous applications. 2. The claim of citizenship is inconsistent with information received from another source. 3. Lack of proficiency in speaking or writing English is not sufficient cause to question an individual’s citizenship. C. If the applicant's statement is questionable, verify citizenship using: 1. Birth certificates showing birth in the U. S. or areas indicated in 225.01 a; or 2. Hospital/doctor records established at the time of birth. This includes a hospital-issued birth certificate; or 3. Birth certificates or documents verifying the U.S. citizenship of at least one parent, and that the child is the biological child of that parent. Example: A mother applying for benefits for herself and two children was born in Texas, but the children were born in Mexico, as the mother spent time in both countries. If the mother can prove that she is a U.S. citizen and that the children are her biological children, the children are U.S. citizens. 4. Certificates of Citizenship or Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); or 5. U.S. Passport (except limited passports, issued for periods of less than five years); or 6. Report of birth abroad of a U.S. citizen (FS-240) issued by the Department of State to a U.S. citizen; or 7. Verification of receipt of Work First (if Work First verified citizenship); or 8. Social Security Administration Records; or 9. Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570). The N-570 is a replacement certificate issued when the N-550 has been lost or the individual’s name has been changed; or 10. Certificate of birth (FS-545) issued by a foreign service post or Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350) issued by the Department of State; or 11. Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561) issued by the USCIS to individuals who derive citizenship through a parent. The N-561 is a replacement certificate issued when the N-560 has been lost or the individual’s name changed; or