; 22 U.S.C. 211a ). 3. Confirmation and clarification of standards for adjudication of United States passport applications by Secretary of State (a) In general (1) In general The Secretary shall adjudicate United States passport applications in an individualized, evidence-based manner. (2) Individualized assessment At every stage of the passport application adjudicatory process under paragraph (1), including any requests for additional evidence and rulings on the merits of an application, the Secretary’s decisions respecting United States passport applications shall be based on an assessment of individual circumstances and evidence. (3) Prohibition An applicant’s race, ethnicity, or ancestry may not be a factor taken into account in the passport application adjudicatory process under paragraph (1). (b) Proceedings (1) In general An applicant shall establish by a preponderance of the evidence at all stages of the passport application adjudicatory process, including in proceedings under section 360 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1503 ), that such applicant is a United States citizen or national. (2) Prohibition The Secretary shall not utilize or apply any heightened burden of proof when evaluating the citizenship or nationality of an applicant and shall apply such preponderance of the evidence standard required under paragraph (1) in a uniform and consistent manner to all passport applications. (3) Writing Any determination by the Secretary that an applicant has not met the burden of proving United States citizenship or nationality by a preponderance of the evidence shall be made in writing, state the reasons for the Secretary’s determination, and be provided to the applicant in a timely manner. (c) Acceptance of certain evidence A birth certificate signed by a midwife, doctor, or other person authorized under State law to sign such a document, or a previously issued United States passport, shall constitute prima facie evidence of United States citizenship or nationality and, absent