1626.6—Verification of citizenship.
(a)
A recipient shall require all applicants for legal assistance who claim to be citizens to attest in writing in a standard form provided by the Corporation that they are citizens, unless the only service provided for a citizen is brief advice and consultation by telephone which does not include continuous representation.
(b)
When a recipient has reason to doubt that an applicant is a citizen, the recipient shall require verification of citizenship. A recipient shall not consider factors such as a person's accent, limited English-speaking ability, appearance, race or national origin as a reason to doubt that the person is a citizen.
(1)
If verification is required, a recipient may accept originals, certified copies, or photocopies that appear to be complete, correct and authentic of any of the following documents as evidence of citizenship:
(v)
Baptismal certificate showing place of birth within the United States and date of baptism within two months after birth.
(2)
A recipient may also accept any other authoritative document such as a document issued by INS, by a court or by another governmental agency, that provides evidence of citizenship.
(3)
If a person is unable to produce any of the above documents, the person may submit a notarized statement signed by a third party, who shall not be an employee of the recipient and who can produce proof of that party's own United States citizenship, that the person seeking legal assistance is a United States citizen.