We have written several times about the SAVE Act and the threat it poses to our democracy.  (See earlier articles here and here.)

The US House passed the SAVE Act on February 11, 2026.  Most analysts (even the conservative ones) predict that the act will not pass the Senate.  Donald Trump has said he will issue executive orders to implement some parts of the SAVE Act if it doesn’t pass.

But he’s not waiting for a vote in the Senate.  On March 31, Trump signed an executive order to create a nationwide list of verified eligible voters and to restrict mail-in voting. That order was challenged in court the next day, when multiple Democratic leaders and organizations sued to block the order, arguing that it violates the Constitution, which gives states, not the President, the authority to manage elections.

In addition, four states, Florida, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Utah, have already passed proof-of-citizenship laws. 

So whether the SAVE Act passes or not, we may face new restrictions on our right to vote.  Here are some suggestions on how to prepare for the worst case scenarios.

Get a US Passport

Even if you never plan to travel abroad, a US passport is one type of identification that is rarely challenged.  

To obtain a passport for the first time, you must apply in person to a “Passport Acceptance Facility”.  These are usually local Post Offices.  Here is a list of facilities near Lewiston.

According to USA.gov, there are 4 things you will need to apply for and receive your passport:  

• An application form, known as a DS-11.  You can fill it out online and print it or download a pdf.  DO NOT SIGN IT until you are instructed by the passport officer you meet.
  
• Personal documents, including proof of citizenship and a photo ID.  See this website for details on what documents are acceptable.
  
• A passport photo.  See this website for details on he required format for the photo.
  
• The application fees.  A new adult passport book costs $130 (plus a $35 acceptance fee), while renewals are $130. A child’s passport (under 16) costs $100 plus a $35 acceptance fee. Optional expedited service costs an extra $60. Details on the fees and how to pay them are available here.

How Long Does It Take?

Processing times vary, according to the time of year and the demand.  As of early April, 2026, the Department of State website advises it can take 4 – 6 weeks for routine processing and 2-3 weeks for expedited processing.  

There are various commercial services that offer to help you get a passport or to expedite the process.  As with most things on the Internet, act cautiously and evaluate such offers carefully.

It seems reasonable to expect that the SAVE Act, new state laws, and future executive orders could increase demand for passports, and thus create longer processing times.  So if you’re thinking about applying for a passport, it would be wise to do it as soon as possible.

Get a Certified Copy of Your Birth Certificate

A photocopy of your original birth certificate may not be sufficient.  There may be a requirement that you produce a certified copy.  Obtaining one can be time-consuming and challenging.

There are several options:

• Visit the Vital Records Office or County Clerk’s office in the area where you were born. 
  
• If a physical visit is impossible, go to the website for the county you were born in to find their rules.  As an example, one of our committee members was born in Midland County, Michigan.  He visited their site and learned that certified birth certificates may only be requested in person. He could order an uncertified copy for $14. Other counties may charge more.
  
• Use one of several commercial services that can process records requests for you.  Three of these are:
  • National Records – https://nationalrecords.org/
  • US Vital Records – https://usvitalrecords.org/
  • Vital Records Online – https://www.vitalrecordsonline.com/

(The websites for National Records and US Vital Records both indicate that they can order certified birth certificates for you.  The website for Vital Records Online does not mention certified birth certificates, so ask questions if you choose them.)

These companies charge for their services, but can be faster.  They can also supply marriage certificates as well.

Get a Copy of Your Marriage Certificate

Women who changed their last name when they married will also need a copy of their marriage license.  The process for acquiring these is similar to requesting birth certificates.  Start with the county where you were married and work from there.  

Other Scenarios

There are other instances where you might need additional documents to prove your identity, including:

• If your name has changed because you chose to change it, you will need a copy of the court record showing this. Obtaining this may take weeks; many counties only do it by snail-mail or in person.
  
• If you were adopted, but know where and when, you can request your birth certificate. You will also need an adoption record.
  
• If you were adopted in a “blind” adoption, which was once quite common, you will need to obtain your adoption records. You should also ask an immigration attorney if that is sufficient to prove citizenship. It is common to adopt babies from overseas.
  
• If you were born overseas and were brought to the US as the adopted child of a US citizen, you automatically became a citizen, but you may need to file certain paperwork to establish a formal record. Current law has different rules for children born before Feb 27, 1983. More information here.
  
• If you immigrated to the US lawfully, and have become a citizen, you will need your naturalization documents.

This is not an exhaustive list.  You may have unique needs and should seek competent counsel for guidance.

Let’s Be Clear-Eyed About This

Hopefully the SAVE act will not pass. On the other hand, taking steps now to get a passport, a certified birth certificate, marriage certificate and other documents, if you don’t have them, could save you time and stress later.

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This is the latest article in our new series about 5 Big Issues for 2026.

The featured image above is by Lisa Johnson on pixabay.com.

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