Citizenship and Immigration 510-05-35-45

(Revised 8/1/2024 ML 3854 )

View Archives

(N.D.A.C. Section 75-02-02.1-18)

As a condition of eligibility, applicants or recipients must be United States citizens, U.S. nationals, or certain lawfully present noncitizens. Verifications of citizenship, naturalization, or lawful noncitizen status must be documented. This section addresses:

Exceptions to verification of citizenship;

Verification requirements;

Acceptable documentation for US citizens and naturalized citizens; and

Individuals born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Nationals from American Samoa.

For noncitizens, apply the appropriate policy identified in sections 510-05-35-50 through 510-05-35-70.

Exceptions to verification of citizenship. The following individuals are exempt from the citizenship verification requirements:

SSI recipients who claim that they are US Citizens and that claim is not questionable (can prove using SDX or TPQY SSI match);

Medicare beneficiaries who claim that they are US Citizens and that claim is not questionable (can prove using TPQY SSA match);

Individuals receiving SSA disability insurance benefits based on their own disability;

Individuals receiving Foster Care maintenance payments;

Individuals receiving Subsidized Adoption payments; and

Individuals receiving Subsidized Guardianship payments.

Verification Requirements: Applicants must provide satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or naturalization.

A photocopy, facsimile, scanned or other copy of a document must be accepted to the same extent as the original document, unless information on the copy submitted is inconsistent with other information available, or there is reason to question the validity of the information in the document. A copy must be maintained in the case file.

Verifications may be accepted from another state agency that may have already verified citizenship, but a photocopy must be obtained for the case file.

Once an individual's citizenship is documented and recorded, subsequent changes in eligibility do not require repeating the documentation unless questionable, or there is no verification in the case file.

Example: John Doe applies for Medicaid and supplies his citizenship verifications and his case closes. If his case file is purged after the three year retention period and he reapplies, he will need to again provide his verifications so that his casefile is complete.

If an individual has made a good faith effort to obtain verifications, but cannot obtain them within the processing timeframes , or because the documents are not available, assistance must be provided to the individual in securing evidence of citizenship. Matches with other agencies may be used to assist the individual.

Reasonable Opportunity Period. Applicants who claim they are U.S. Citizens or qualified noncitizens are entitled to a reasonable opportunity period to provide verification of citizenship, qualified noncitizen status, and identity. Medicaid is not permitted to deny, delay, reduce, or terminate eligibility while documentation is being gathered during the reasonable opportunity period. A reasonable opportunity period applies when all other information necessary to determine eligibility is available. If an individual is eligible for Medicaid and has met all other criteria except for citizenship or identity verification, that individual’s eligibility may not be pended for verification of either citizenship or identity, but must be approved. If the individual does not provide satisfactory documentation of citizenship and identity by the end of the reasonable opportunity period, the individual’s eligibility must be terminated with advance (10-day) notice and without regard to continuous eligibility provisions.

A ‘reasonable opportunity period’ is defined as 90 days from the date the application is submitted and for the remaining days of the month in which the 90th day falls. An extension of an additional 60 days from the 90th day may be granted if the individual has verifiable documented evidence they have been making a good faith effort to obtain the verifications, but still have not received them.

A reasonable opportunity period is not limited to one.

Example:If granted a reasonable opportunity period but the requested verifications are not received and eligibility is terminated; upon reapplication, if needed a new reasonable opportunity period will be allowed.

Acceptable documentation for US citizens and naturalized citizens.

The following documents may be accepted as proof of both citizenship and identity because either the US, a state, or Tribal government has established the citizenship and identity of the individual. These documents are considered to be the primary (Level 1) and preferred verification documents.

Primary Verifications

(Level 1)

These Documents Verify both Citizenship and Identity: Explanatory Information: US Passport or US Passport Card issued since 2007 Issued by the Department of State. Does not have to be currently valid, as long as it was issued without limitation; (any passport issued with a limitation cannot be used to verify citizenship, but CAN be used to verify identity). Through 1980, spouses and children were often included on one passport; after that each person is issued his own passport. The passport card is for frequent travelers by land or sea between the US and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Certificate of Naturalization (DHS/INS Forms N-550 or N-570) Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) issues for naturalization. Certificate of US Citizenship (DHS/INS Forms N-560 or N-561) Department of Homeland Security or INS issues certificates of citizenship to individuals who derive citizenship through a parent. Tribal Enrollment Card Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood; or Other documents issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe that evidences membership or enrollment with such tribe A document issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe evidencing membership or enrollment or affiliation with, such tribe. See following table for acceptable verifications from ND tribes. Citizenship verification received from using the “Other Benefits” inquiry in the NDVerify system or from the citizenship verification system available through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) – as automated through the Streamlined application process Acceptable codes are: “Citizenship Verified” "Verified with positive citizen; Deceased."

Documents Issued by Recognized ND Tribes

Tribe: Documents: Sisseton-Wahpeton (Wahpeton—SE corner of ND) • Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood: Name, DOB, enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood; Issued to any enrolled member who requests it; Issued by tribal enrollment office; • Tribal ID cards: Name, DOB, enrollment #, degree of Indian blood, SSN, photo and individual’s signature; Issued to enrolled members age 16 and older who request it; Issued by tribal enrollment office; Spirit Lake (Devils Lake) • Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood: Name, DOB, enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood (may have more information); Issued to any enrolled member who requests it; Issued by tribal enrollment office; • Tribal Photo ID: Photo ID including name, DOB, tribal enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood (may have more information); Issued by tribal motor vehicle office; Issued to enrolled members; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Fort Yates) • Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood: Name, DOB, enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood, (may have more information); Issued to any enrolled member who requests it; Issued by tribal enrollment office; • Tribal ID cards: Name, DOB, enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood, last 4 digits of SSN (may have more information); Issued to enrolled members age 14 and older who request it; Issued by tribal enrollment office; Three Affiliated Tribes (T. A. T.) (New Town) • Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood: Name, DOB, enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood, mailing address, physical address, photo); Issued to any enrolled member who requests it; Issued by tribal enrollment office; • Tribal ID cards: Name, DOB, enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood, mailing address, physical address, photo ( plastic card with hologram on back) (will enter SSN (non-verified) at individual’s request); Issued to any enrolled member who requests it; Issued by tribal enrollment office (Cost = $10; free to seniors); Expire every 4 years; Turtle Mountain Chippewa (Belcourt, Trenton) • Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood: Name, DOB, enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood, (may have more information); Issued to any enrolled member who requests it; Issued by tribal enrollment office; • Tribal Enrollment cards: Name, DOB, enrollment #, and degree of Indian blood (may have more information); Issued to enrolled members age 18 and older who request it; Issued by tribal enrollment office.

If an individual does not have one of the primary verifications, the individual must supply one document from one of the Citizenship lists (Levels 2, 3, or 4) and one document from the Identity lists (Levels 2, 3, or 4).

The verifications are listed in levels and the levels indicate the degree of reliability of the verifications. Level 1 has the highest reliability and is the preferred verification. Level 4 has the lowest reliability and those verifications should be used only when documents from levels 1-3 are not available. The verifications in level 1 must be requested prior to requesting those in level 2, those in level 2 must be requested prior to requesting those in level 3, and so on.

Verification documents must be presented in their official and original form as received from the issuing agencies. Photocopies or notarized copies are not acceptable. Once an original document is presented, a photocopy must be made and maintained in the casefile.

Secondary Verification of Citizenship

(Level 2)

Acceptable Verifications: Explanatory Information: Certificate of Birth in the United States Must have the embossed seal of the issuing agency. North Dakota only issues certified copies. If it does not have the raised seal, it is not a certified copy - i.e. the old black and white prints. The original must have been recorded before the person was 5 years of age. (For issuance date, use the "Date received by Local Registrar".) If recorded at or after 5 years of age, it is a 4th level verification. Must show birth in one of the 50 states, or the District of Columbia. Persons born to foreign diplomats are not citizens of the United States. An electronic match with the ND vital statistics agency showing the individual's place of birth will suffice. Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States (FS-240) aka Consular Report of a Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States Prepared by the Department of State Consular office. Can only be prepared at an American Consular office overseas while the child is under age 18. Children born outside the US to US military personnel usually have one of these. Certificate of Birth Abroad (FS-545 or Form DS-1350) aka Certificate of Report of Birth or Certification of Birth Abroad For those who were born outside the US and acquired US Citizenship at birth and is based on FS-240. FS-545 issued prior to November 1, 1990. DS-1350 issued on and after November 1, 1990. Is issued only within the US. United States Citizen Identification Card (I-197 or I-179) Issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service from 1960-1973 as I-179; Issued to naturalized US Citizens living near the Canadian or Mexican border who needed it for frequent border crossings. Issued as I-197 from 1973-1983. No longer currently used, but still valid. American Indian Card (I-872) with the classification code "KIC" and a statement on the back Issued by the Department of Homeland Security to identify US citizen members of the Texas Band of Kickapoos living near the US / Mexican border. Evidence of Civil Service Employment Must show employment by the US Government prior to June 1, 1976. Official Military record of service Including a DD-214. Must show a US place of birth. A data verification with the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program for naturalized citizens Determines if someone is a naturalized citizen. May need to provide the individual's alien registration number. Adopted or biological children born outside the US may establish their automatic citizenship if verification is provided Showing at least one parent is a US citizen by either birth or naturalization. Child is under age 18. Child is residing in the US in the legal and physical custody of the US citizen parent. Child was admitted to the US for lawful permanent residence. If adopted, the child must be a lawful permanent resident as an IR-3 (child adopted outside the US) or as IR-4 (child coming to the US to be adopted); with the final adoption having subsequently occurred.

Third Level Verification of Citizenship

(Level 3)

Acceptable Verifications: Explanatory Information: Extract of hospital record on hospital letterhead established at the time of birth and created at least 5 years prior to the Medicaid application It must indicate a US place of birth. A souvenir 'birth certificate' issued by the hospital cannot be accepted. For children under 16 the document must have been created near the time of birth or 5 years prior to the Medicaid application. Life or health or other insurance record Showing a US place of birth for the individual. Created at least 5 years before the initial application date. Official religious record (recorded with the religious organization) recorded in the US within 3 months of birth Must show a US place of birth. Must show the individual's date of birth or age at the time the record was made. In questionable cases, such as where the child's religious record was recorded near a US international border and the child may have been born outside the US, the worker must verify the religious record with the religious organization and verify that the mother was in the US at the time of birth. Early school record showing a US place of birth Must show the name, date of birth, and US place of birth of the child. Must show the date of school admission. Must show the name(s) and place(s) of birth of the applicant's parents.

Fourth Level Verification of Citizenship

(Level 4)

Acceptable Verifications: Explanatory Information: Federal or state census record showing US citizenship or a US place of birth - (generally for persons born 1900-1950) Must also show the applicant's age. Census records from 1900 through 1950 contain citizenship information. To obtain this information the applicant or recipient should complete a Form BC-600, "Application for Search of Census Records for Proof of Age", adding in the remarks portion, "US Citizenship data requested for Medicaid eligibility." This form can be obtained online at: http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/bc-600.pdf . A fee will be charged. Seneca Indian tribal census record Must be created at least 5 years prior to initial Medicaid application; and Must show a US place of birth. Bureau of Indian Affairs tribal census records of the Navajo Indians Must be created at least 5 years prior to initial Medicaid application; and Must show a US place of birth. US State Vital Statistics official notification of birth registration Must be created at least 5 years prior to initial Medicaid application; and Must show a US place of birth. Delayed US public birth record that is amended more than 5 years after the person's birth Must be created at least 5 years prior to initial Medicaid application; and Must show a US place of birth. Statement signed by the physician or midwife who was in attendance at the time of birth Must be created at least 5 years prior to initial Medicaid application; and Must show a US place of birth. Institutional admission papers from a nursing home, skilled care facility or other institution Must be created at least 5 years prior to initial Medicaid application; and Must show a US place of birth. Medical (clinic, doctor or hospital) record (An immunization record is NOT considered a medical record for establishing citizenship) Must be created at least 5 years prior to initial Medicaid application (or near the time of birth, if a child under age 16 only); and Must show a US place of birth. Written affidavit, made under penalty of perjury, by at least two individuals--one of which is not a relative--showing they have personal knowledge of the event(s) establishing the applicant's claim of citizenship (date and place). These individuals must provide proof of their own citizenship and identity It must also state a reasonable basis of personal knowledge that an applicant or recipient who cannot produce documentary evidence of citizenship is a citizen. SFN 707, "Affidavit of Citizenship," has been created for convenience. A second affidavit from the applicant/recipient or other knowledgeable individual explaining why the information cannot be obtained must also be supplied. SFN 706 , "Affidavit of Explanation why Citizenship Cannot be Supplied," has been created for convenience. Use only in rare circumstances.

Individuals born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Nationals from American Samoa. For purposes of qualifying as a United States citizen, individuals born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Island, the Northern Marian Islands and Nationals from American Samoa may qualify as follows:

Puerto Rico:

Certificate of birth in Puerto Rico on or after January 13, 1941 (For applicants whose eligibility is determined for the first time on or after November 1, 2010, the birth certificate must have an issue date of on or after July 1, 2010, to be considered valid.)

Evidence of birth in Puerto Rico on or after April 11, 1899 and the applicant's statement that he or she was residing in the US, a US possession, or Puerto Rico on January 13, 1941 (For applicants whose eligibility is determined for the first time on or after November 1, 2010, the birth certificate must have an issue date of on or after July 1, 2010, to be considered valid.)

Evidence that the individual was a Puerto Rican citizen and the applicant's statement that he or she was residing in Puerto Rico on March 1, 1917, and that he or she did not take an oath of allegiance to Spain

Guam:

Evidence of birth in Guam on or after April 10, 1899

The US Virgin Islands:

Certificate of birth in the US Virgin Islands on or after January 17, 1917

Evidence of birth in the US Virgin Islands and the applicant's statement of residence in the US, a US possession, or the US Virgin Islands on February 25, 1927

The applicant's statement indicating residence in the US Virgin Islands as a Danish citizen on January 17, 1917 and residence in the US, a US possession, or the US Virgin Islands on February 25, 1927, and that he or she did not make a declaration to maintain Danish citizenship

Evidence of birth in the US Virgin Islands and the applicant's statement indicating residence in the US, a US possession, or the Canal Zone on June 28, 1932

Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) (formerly part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI)):

Certificate of birth in the Northern Mariana Islands after November 4, 1986.

Evidence of birth in the NMI, TTPI citizenship and residence in the NMI, the US or a US territory or possession on November 3, 1986 and the applicant's statement that he or she did not owe allegiance to a foreign state on November 4, 1986. These individuals carry the Northern Mariana Identification Care (I-873). This form is no longer issued, but is still valid.

Evidence of TTPI citizenship, continuous residence in the NMI since before November 3, 1981, voter registration prior to January 1, 1975, and the applicant's statement that he or she did not owe allegiance to a foreign state on November 4, 1986.

Evidence of continuous domicile in the NMI since before January 1, 1974 and the applicant's statement that he or she did not owe allegiance to a foreign state on November 4, 1986.

If the person entered the NMI as a nonimmigrant and lived in the NMI since January 1, 1974, this does not constitute continuous domicile and the individual is not a US Citizen.

Nationals from American Samoa or Swain's Islands:

Certificate of birth in American Samoa or Swain's Islands after November 4, 1986

Persons born in American Samoa or Swain's Islands are treated as citizens for Medicaid purposes

Persons born to foreign diplomats while residing in one of the preceding jurisdictions of the US are not citizens of the United States.

The child's citizenship or noncitizen status follows that of the parent.