Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
A birth certificate is an official record of a person's birth, used to prove identity and U.S. citizenship. You'll need it if you're a U.S. citizen applying for an SBA loan and lack a passport.
Lenders require proof of citizenship for all key principals. If you don't have a U.S. passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate, along with a government-issued photo ID, typically serves as sufficient documentation to satisfy this requirement for the SBA 7(a) loan.
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA form
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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