Yes. A person who is a U.S. national but not a U.S. citizen can qualify for a U.S. passport. This is a narrow nationality category, not a general passport option for permanent residents or people with pending immigration applications. [1]
Who may be a noncitizen national?
Section 1408 defines specified nationality-at-birth categories, including relevant births in U.S. outlying possessions and certain parentage situations. American Samoa and Swains Island are commonly relevant, but the complete statutory conditions and later citizenship history should be checked. [1]
The passport reflects the distinction
The State Department explains that eligible applicants may receive a passport delineating and certifying their status as a U.S. national but not a U.S. citizen. A passport therefore cannot always be treated as proof that every bearer has citizenship. [2]
Evidence and rights differ
The applicant must establish the claimed nationality through acceptable records. A green card establishes permanent residence, not U.S. nationality. Noncitizen-national status also does not automatically confer every right reserved to citizens, such as voting eligibility under applicable law.
For example, a person born abroad to noncitizen parents who later becomes a permanent resident does not acquire U.S. passport eligibility merely by receiving the card.
Use nationality evidence rather than appearance or assumptions
Birthplace, parental status, the governing law at birth, and any later citizenship acquisition can all matter. A person with a passport identifying noncitizen-national status should not casually check a citizenship box because the cover says United States. Conversely, someone who later becomes a citizen should review whether the document record needs updating. [1] [2]
Before applying, gather the underlying birth and parentage evidence and use State Department instructions for the claimed category. A citizenship certificate, permanent-resident card, foreign passport, and endorsed U.S. passport establish different things. For travel or benefit purposes, read the recipient’s actual definition instead of assuming every program treats national, citizen, and lawful permanent resident identically. When a form offers only a citizenship question, obtain accurate guidance rather than inventing an answer based on the document’s color.
Before completing citizenship declarations, identify whether the question asks about citizenship, nationality, or immigration status. See false claims to citizenship and travel using a green card without a passport. Similar-looking travel documents do not create identical legal status.
Primary sources
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.