What Documentary Proof of Citizenship Requirements Could Cost Michigan Voters

The federal SAVE America Act is not currently law, but similar documentary proof of citizenship proposals are moving forward in Michigan and other states. For a Michigan voter who needs to obtain citizenship and name-change documents, the cost could reach $200 to $230 or more, not including transportation, childcare, or lost wages.

Voting Access for All Coalition @votingaccessforall.org

Jul 16, 2026 · 2 min read

he federal SAVE America Act passed the U.S. House in February 2026 and remains pending in the Senate. It is not currently law. If enacted, it would require voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport, naturalization certificate, or certain combinations of a birth certificate and government-issued identification, when registering to vote.

Similar efforts are also moving forward at the state level. In Michigan, a group has submitted petition signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment that could appear on the November 2026 ballot. Unlike the federal bill, the Michigan proposal would create a statewide citizenship-verification process that could result in some registered voters being required to provide citizenship documents.

Below is an estimate of what obtaining those documents could cost a Michigan voter, based on current 2026 state and federal fee schedules.

1. U.S. Passport (first-time applicant)

Item	Cost
Application fee (Dept. of State)	$130.00
Execution/acceptance fee (in person, required for first-timers)	$35.00
Optional expedited processing	$60.00
Passport photo (typical)	$10 – $17
Subtotal	$175.00 – $242.00

2. Michigan Certified Birth Certificate

Item	Cost
State certified copy (search + first copy)	$34.00
Optional rush/expedite fee	$12.00
County clerk copies (sometimes lower, ~$15 – $20 first copy)	varies
Subtotal	$34.00 – $66.00

3. Additional Costs Many Voters Would Face

Barrier	Est. Cost/Impact
Certified marriage license copy (needed if legal name doesn’t match birth certificate—affects an estimated 69 million U.S. women who changed their name at marriage)	$10.00 – $30.00
Court-ordered name-change documentation (if applicable)	$100.00+
Travel/time cost to appear in person at a clerk’s office or acceptance facility (lost wages, transportation, childcare)	varies
Expedited processing if near a registration deadline	$72.00
Attorney fees	varies
Possible Additional Costs	$200 or more

REALISTIC TOTAL for a Michigander Starting From Scratch (no passport, no brith certificate on hand, name doesn’t match)

$200.00 – $230.00+

For someone who already has a birth certificate on hand and just needs a passport, the realistic total is closer to $165–$185.

Sources: U.S. Dept. of State passport fee schedule (effective April 2026); Michigan Dept. of Health & Human Services, Division of Vital Records fee schedule; Bipartisan Policy Center; Center for American Progress. Figures are current as of July 2026 and reflect state/federal fees only; costs vary by county and individual circumstances.

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