An American Samoa birth certificate is issued by the territory’s Office of Vital Statistics and Records (OVSR) in Pago Pago, and you request a certified copy by mailing an application, a photo ID, and a money order to that office. There is no online ordering system through the territorial government. The document does something no state birth certificate does: it establishes the holder as a non-citizen U.S. national rather than a U.S. citizen.
How to Order a Certified Copy
To request a copy, you need identifying information about the person named on the record: full name at birth, date of birth, place of birth, and the full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name. You also need a photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. If you are requesting someone else’s record, include documentation of your relationship, such as a court order or marriage certificate.
Fees are modest but inconsistently reported. The CDC’s vital records directory lists a copy at $5.00 and amendments at $7.00.1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Where to Write for Vital Records – American Samoa The Social Security Administration’s reference guide lists a certified copy at $7.00.2Social Security Administration. GN 00308.200 – American Samoa Vital Records Call the OVSR to confirm the current fee before sending payment. Pay by money order payable to “Office of Vital Statistics/ASG.” Personal checks are not accepted.
Mail your application, supporting documents, and money order to:
American Samoa Government
Department of Homeland Security
Office of Vital Statistics
PO Box 6894
Pago Pago, AS 967991Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Where to Write for Vital Records – American Samoa
In-person submission is available for people on the island. For everyone else, mail is the standard route. Use certified mail with tracking since you are sending identity documents. Processing times vary with the office’s workload and with whether the OVSR needs to verify your supporting documents, and mail to and from the territory takes longer than domestic mail within the continental United States. Allow several weeks at minimum.
What the Certificate Says About Your Legal Status
American Samoa is the only permanently inhabited U.S. territory where birth does not confer U.S. citizenship by statute. Federal law classifies American Samoa and Swains Island as “outlying possessions of the United States,” and a person born there is a non-citizen U.S. national.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 8 US Code 1408 – Nationals but Not Citizens of the United States at Birth No other U.S. territory carries this distinction.
Non-citizen national status still carries substantial rights. You can live and work anywhere in the United States without any visa or immigration restriction. You can serve in the U.S. military and access most federal benefits. Non-citizen nationals are also eligible for competitive-service federal jobs on the same basis as U.S. citizens.4U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Employment FAQ – Do I Have to Be a US Citizen to Apply The main practical limits are that non-citizen nationals generally cannot vote in federal or state elections and cannot hold elected federal office.
Your U.S. passport reflects the status. The State Department places Endorsement 09 inside the passport book, which reads: “THE BEARER IS A UNITED STATES NATIONAL AND NOT A UNITED STATES CITIZEN.” A passport card prints “U.S. National” on the front instead of “USA.”5U.S. Department of State. 8 FAM 505.2 – Passport Endorsements
Becoming a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization
Non-citizen nationals can apply for full citizenship through naturalization, and the process is more direct than for immigrants. You do not need to first become a lawful permanent resident. You file Form N-400 directly, and time spent living in American Samoa or Swains Island counts toward the residency requirement.6U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Form N-400 Instructions for Application for Naturalization Federal law treats residence and physical presence in any outlying possession as residence in the United States for naturalization purposes.7GovInfo. 8 US Code 1436 – Nationals but Not Citizens Residence Within Outlying Possessions
You need to meet the standard requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old when you file.
- Have five years of continuous residence in the United States, which includes American Samoa.
- Have at least 30 months of physical presence in the United States during those five years.
- Have lived at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you file.
- Meet the usual good moral character, civics knowledge, and English proficiency standards.
You do not need to relocate to a U.S. state to begin the residency clock, but you will eventually need to establish residency in a state or USCIS district to file the application.
Registering a Birth That Was Never Recorded
If a birth in American Samoa was never formally recorded, the person (or a parent, guardian, or matai if the person is under 18) can file for a delayed registration with the Registrar of Vital Statistics.8American Samoa Bar Association. American Samoa Code 13.0513 – Delayed Registration of Birth Application Form and Contents The application uses forms prescribed by the Registrar and must include enough affidavits and documentary evidence for the Registrar to verify that the birth actually occurred at the time and place claimed.
Applicants over 18 face extra identification steps. The application and the birth certificate itself must both carry the applicant’s fingerprints, and passport-style signed photographs must be attached: one stays with the application file, and another is affixed to the certificate to help identify the bearer.8American Samoa Bar Association. American Samoa Code 13.0513 – Delayed Registration of Birth Application Form and Contents
Gathering evidence is often the hardest part, especially when decades have passed. Useful documentary evidence includes early school records, census records, and medical records. Affidavits from parents, a physician, or anyone who attended the birth can supplement that evidence. The Registrar decides whether what you submit is enough, so stronger and more varied documentation improves your odds.
Correcting an Error on an Existing Record
If an existing certificate contains an error such as a misspelled name or an incorrect date, the person affected can file a correction with the Registrar of Vital Statistics. The process requires two sworn statements: an affidavit from the person asserting the error that details what needs to change, and a supporting affidavit from a second person who has knowledge of the correct facts.9American Samoa Bar Association. American Samoa Code 13.0530 – Amendment of Incorrect Birth, Death, or Marriage Record The Registrar reviews both affidavits and may request additional evidence before accepting the change. Once approved, the amended certificate shows the corrected information and notes that the record was amended.
Changing a Name on the Record
A typo goes through the amendment process above. A substantive name change that does not result from marriage or divorce generally requires a court order from the High Court of American Samoa before the OVSR will update the record. American Samoa has no specific name-change statute, so the High Court handles these petitions under its general jurisdiction.
The petition must include your citizenship, village of residence, date of birth, the reason for the change, and a statement that the request is not made for an illegal purpose such as avoiding creditors or law enforcement. You must sign a notarized oath that the statements are true. The filing fee for a civil action in the High Court is $100.00. After filing, you must publish the notice of hearing in a newspaper of general circulation at least twice, with the first publication appearing at least 30 days before the hearing. At the hearing you need to show that your family has been notified and present proof of publication. Once the court grants the order, file a certified copy with the OVSR to update the birth certificate.