Voter Registration Documents: What Information You May Need
Voter registration documents are the identification or proof of eligibility a state asks for when you register to vote. USA.gov says the documents you need vary by state, and that in most cases a driver's license or state ID is required.
What vital record do you need?
Choose your certificate to start your order.
What USA.gov says
If you do not have a driver's license or state ID, you may be able to use other documentation, such as a bank statement or utility bill. If you use the National Mail Voter Registration Form, you must sign it before mailing. To learn what your state accepts, contact your state election office or start at vote.gov.
An example: Arizona
Arizona shows how much states can differ. Its Secretary of State says that on the state form, a registrant who does not provide documentary proof of citizenship, and whose citizenship cannot be verified in state databases, is rejected. On the federal form, that registrant becomes a federal-only voter. Documents Arizona accepts include:
- A birth certificate from any U.S. state or territory
- A U.S. passport or passport card
- Naturalization or citizenship documents
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad for citizens born abroad
- Certain tribal documents
Where birth certificates fit
Where a state accepts a birth certificate as proof of citizenship, Arizona asks for a legible copy, with supporting documents if your name differs from your current legal name. Always check your own state's rules, since most states do not use Arizona's process.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a birth certificate to register to vote?
Not in most places, according to USA.gov, which says a driver's license or state ID is usually enough. Arizona is one state that asks for proof of citizenship.
Where do I find my state's rules?
Contact your state election office or visit vote.gov, as USA.gov suggests.
Is the federal form the same everywhere?
The National Mail Voter Registration Form is a federal form. Arizona treats registrants differently on the state and federal forms.
Sources
US Records is a private company and is not a government agency. Government agencies issue certified records; we help you order them.
Written By
US Records TeamThe US Records Team writes and reviews guides on birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates, using state statutes, agency instructions and court records as sources.
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