This is an archived document and does not contain the most current information for this topic. Use this document for reference only.

MinnesotaCare

3.2.1.1 Citizenship (Archive)

In order to receive MinnesotaCare, applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or certain lawfully present noncitizens. See the MinnesotaCare Lawful Presence policy for more information.

U.S. Citizen

A U.S. citizen is someone who is born in the U.S. (including U.S. territories, except for American Samoa) or who was born outside the U.S. and who either:

  • Was naturalized as a U.S. citizen

  • Derived citizenship through the naturalization of his or her parent(s)

  • Derived citizenship through adoption by U.S. citizen parents, provided certain conditions are met

  • Acquired citizenship at birth because he or she was born to U.S. citizen parent(s)

  • Became a U.S. citizen by operation of law

U.S. National

A U.S. national is someone who is a U.S. citizen or owes permanent allegiance to the U.S. With extremely limited exceptions, all noncitizen U.S. nationals are people born in American Samoa or people born abroad with one or more American Samoan parents under certain conditions.

Verification

Citizenship may be verified electronically at the time of application. Applicants and enrollees whose U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status cannot be verified electronically must provide proofs.

Eligibility is approved for applicants who meet all other eligibility criteria and attest to meeting the citizenship eligibility requirements. A person approved for MinnesotaCare without verification of their citizenship status has a reasonable opportunity to provide proof. A notice is sent to the enrollee to indicate they have 90 days, plus 5 days for mailing, from the date of the notice to provide proof. Coverage is ended with a 10-day advance notice if the person fails to cooperate with the verification process.

The county, tribal or state servicing agency must help applicants and enrollees obtain required proofs.

Once citizenship is verified, county, tribal and state servicing agencies cannot request proof again, unless an agency possesses inconsistent information regarding a person’s citizenship status.

Verification of Citizenship

Applicants and enrollees who must provide proof when citizenship cannot be electronically verified can submit a copy of one of the following to verify U.S. citizenship:

  • U.S. passport

  • Certificate of Naturalization

  • Certificate of Citizenship

  • PASS card

  • Tribal enrollment or membership card, or certificate of degree of Indian blood issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe

Applicants and enrollees can also verify citizenship by submitting a copy of one document from each of the following two lists:

  • List 1

    • Birth certificate or other birth document from the U.S. Department of State

    • U.S. citizen ID card

    • American Indian card (I-872) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

    • Final U.S. adoption papers

    • Papers showing U.S. government employment before June 1976

    • Official military record of service showing U.S.  place of birth

    • Hospital record showing birth in the U. S.

    • Insurance company record showing U. S. as the place of birth

    • Federal or state census record showing U.S. citizenship or U.S. place of birth

    • Medical records from a clinic, doctor or hospital showing U. S. as the place of birth. Records must be from within the last five years

    • A statement signed by a doctor or midwife who was at the birth. Statement must be from within the last five years.

    • Institutional admission papers showing the U. S. as the place of birth. Papers must be from within the last five years.

  • List 2

    • State driver’s license or state ID card with picture

    • School ID card with picture

    • Military ID card or draft record

    • For a child under age 16:

      • School records including report card

      • Clinic, doctor or hospital records

      • Day care records

Legal Citations

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.945

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.949

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.952

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 600.305

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 600.345

Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 155.305

Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 155.315

Minnesota Statutes, section 256L.04, subdivision 10

Published:  June 1, 2016

Archived: January 1, 2018