Local birth certificates are apparently fine if they were issued by a local government authority. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirem

Local birth certificates are apparently fine if they were issued by a local government authority. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/citizenship-evidence.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/require... One of the "primary" forms of citizenship evidence is: U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements: Issued by the city, county, or state of birth Lists applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth Lists parent(s)’ full names Has the signature of the city, county, or state registrar Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth) Has the seal of issuing authority (Edit: I assume that if the State Department doesn't know how to validate a particular local government's birth certificates, it's supposed to contact the issuing authority to ask.)