One's Documents Americans Show Agencies Guarding Privacy Proof

Americans normally need to show "acceptable" (meeting certain minimum requirements for approval) forms of "personal identification" (written proof of who one is) to request government services or documents. The United States doesn't have a national "ID" (identification) card like many other countries do, so instead government agencies accept combinations of other documents.

For example, to apply for a "replacement" (a copy that one can use when the original is lost, stolen, or damaged) "social security card" (a small piece of paper with one's personal tax number), Americans can present different combinations of documents. A "birth certificate" (a piece of paper stating when and where one was born, and one's parents' names) and a "passport" (a document used for international travel) can be used as personal identification and proof of citizenship. A "driver's license" (a small card that shows one has permission to drive) can also be used for identification.

When one needs to show "proof of residence" (documents showing where one lives), sometimes a driver's license is "sufficient" (enough). At other times, Americans need to "present" (show) a "lease" (a legal agreement allowing one to live in an apartment or house) or a "utility bill" (a bill for gas, electricity, or water) with one's name and current address.

Sometimes agencies require "original" (not copied) documents. Other agencies will accept "certified copies" (copies that have been marked by an agency to show that they are "valid" (real) copies).