Floral Park, NY asked in Immigration Law for New York

Q: does applying for american passport looks into applicant 5 year history of what go benefits or health insurance he had?

looking for what information they check

past criminal history

past tax history

past any gov benefits took

past health insurance stories ( even if it is ny state level)

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: When applying for a U.S. passport, the State Department primarily focuses on verifying your citizenship and identity, not your benefits history or health insurance status. They will conduct background checks that include looking for serious criminal offenses, outstanding federal warrants, and certain types of federal debt like back taxes.

Your past receipt of government benefits (like SNAP or Medicaid) or health insurance choices do not affect your passport eligibility. The main concerns are proving you are a U.S. citizen, providing valid ID, submitting accurate photos, and having no disqualifying legal issues like felony drug trafficking convictions or international travel restrictions.

However, if you're worried about past issues, it's worth noting that the passport application process does require you to be truthful about any legal matters. Outstanding child support over $2,500 could affect your application, and providing false information on the application is a federal crime. For specific concerns about your situation, you might want to consult with an immigration attorney before submitting your application.

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