can a prospective landlord ask for your birth certificate?

Answer 1

He wants to make sure he is renting to a legal citizen. I don't blame him. Who wants INS coming in and wrecking the place to arrest illegals.

Fake Id's are easy to come by. A birth certificate or something showing your status isn't hard to ask for.

Answer 2

It is a bit unusual but he is entitled to see identification. If he wants the birth certificate as part of the identification, I do not see how you can refuse.

Many of the following say he can not do it as it is discrimination. That would be true ONLY If he rejected you based upon what he read on your birth certificate.

For example: If you produced one in Spanish from Mexico, he took a look at it and then went ahead and rented you the apartment, there was no discrimination involved. The fact that he simply asked to see it and looked at it is not discrimination if he does it for all potential renters.

On the other hand: If you produced one in Spanish from Mexico and it showed you were only 16 years old, he could deny you rental based upon age as you are under 18. If he pointed that out to you as the reason for the denial, his actions are legal. However, if you then produced a document showing you are an emancipated minor, this argument goes away and he has to rent to you.

The fact he asks for a particular document is not the issue. It is what he does with the information that is the concern.

Answer 3

He can ask. But you need not show him. I would consider such a request beyond the realm of his rights.

A normal ID should be sufficient. If it isn't, I would suggest renting elsewhere. Most landlords don't do this.

Sounds a bit suspicious to me.

Answer 4

No, Though it doesn't say it, this is why they ask for it and it is illegal!

Sec. 804. [42 U.S.C. 3604] Discrimination in sale or rental of housing and other prohibited practices


As made applicable by section 803 of this title and except as exempted by sections 803(b) and 807 of this title, it shall be unlawful--

(a) To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.
(b) To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.

(c) To make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

(d) To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available.

(e) For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Sec. 800. [42 U.S.C. 3601 note] Short Title


This title may be cited as the "Fair Housing Act".
Sec. 801. [42 U.S.C. 3601] Declaration of Policy


It is the policy of the United States to provide, within constitutional limitations, for fair housing throughout the United States.

Answer 5

Yes. He can ask for anything to prove your age and citizen status.

Answer 6

no, that would be presumptive evidence of discrimination based on age and creed (country of origin).

Answer 7

that is not anything I have ever heard of before


he/she may be looking for proof of age or proof of citizenship?? that is all I can think of