U.S. Citizens Born in Jerusalem Can List Israel As Birthplace

Consistent with President Trump’s Jerusalem Proclamation of December 6, 2017, and the historic opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018, today I am announcing updates to the Department’s guidance on passports and other consular documents issued to U.S. citizens.  Effective immediately, the State Department will allow U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem to elect to list their place of birth as “Israel.”  Applicants born in Jerusalem will be able to request either “Jerusalem” or “Israel” as their place of birth on consular documents.  Those U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem who do not specify their place of birth on applications for consular services as “Israel” will continue to be issued documents that indicate their place of birth as “Jerusalem.”  Other guidance on listing of place of birth in Israel, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, Jerusalem, and the West Bank remains unchanged.

As the President stated in his proclamation, the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and its seat of government but continues to take no position on the boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem.  This matter remains subject to final status negotiations between the two Parties.  The United States remains strongly committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement.  The President’s Vision for Peace provides a realistic and achievable pathway for that peace to happen and I encourage the Palestinians to come to the table and negotiate.

Source: Michael R. Pompeo, “U.S. Citizens Born in Jerusalem,” Press Statement, State Department, (October 29, 2020).