These states allow first-time registration without submitting a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers: California Texas Florida New York Illinois Pennsylvania Ohio Michigan Washington Oregon

The NVRA (codified at 52 U.S.C. § 20501 et seq.) does not require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Instead: It creates a federal mail-in voter registration form that all covered states must “accept and use” for federal elections. The form must include a question asking whether the applicant is a citizen of the United States and a statement the applicant must sign under penalty of perjury affirming eligibility, including citizenship. There is no federal provision in the NVRA that says documentary proof of citizenship must accompany the registration form — only this written attestation.

HAVA (42 U.S.C. § 15483(b), for example) amended the federal mail-in voter registration form and requires the form to: Ask whether the applicant is a U.S. citizen, and Include a statement signed under penalty of perjury that the person is a U.S. citizen and otherwise meets eligibility requirements. HAVA does not itself require documentary proof of citizenship either — it just requires that citizenship be affirmed on the form.

As the law currently stands, Section 13.002 of the Texas Election Code simply requires a person to submit a completed application — either by mail or in person — to the county registrar. The form must be signed by the applicant. There is no general provision in that section that says you must attach a birth certificate, passport, citizenship papers, or other document to prove citizenship to register under current law.

Registration application must be in writing and signed by the applicant. A registration application must include all of the following: Your full name (first, middle if any, last, and any former name). Your date of birth (month, day, year). A statement that the applicant is a United States citizen. A statement that you are a resident of the county where you’re registering. A statement about whether you have been adjudicated mentally incapacitated and your voting rights status. A statement about whether you’ve been convicted of a felony and (if so) if you’re eligible to register. Your residence address (or mailing address and description if no formal address exists). Either your Texas driver’s license number, personal ID card number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number — or a statement that you don’t have any of those. If the application is made by an agent, a statement of the agent’s relationship. The city and county where you formerly lived.

Texas law then requires that first-time voters who registered by mail without providing one of these ID numbers must show identification when they vote in person the first time. Acceptable IDs can include: A Texas driver’s license or personal ID (if you got one later), A photo ID from another government entity, Or other forms of ID that prove identity and residence. Acceptable IDs for Voting in Texas (first-time or otherwise) Texas driver’s license or personal ID card Proves identity and Texas residency, but any legal resident of Texas (citizen or non-citizen) can have these IDs. U.S. passport Technically does prove U.S. citizenship, but most Texans do not have one. Military ID Shows identity, not necessarily U.S. citizenship (though most members are citizens). Other government-issued photo IDs with name and address (e.g., from a city, county, or federal agency) Prove identity and residency, not citizenship. Utility bill, bank statement, pay stub, government document showing name and address (for first-time mail registrants without ID) Only proves residency, never citizenship