In accordance with FIFA RSTP, the clearance process is required when a player over the age of 10 is attempting to register with an affiliated club/league in the United States, regardless of that player's soccer ability. It is the responsibility of the registering club to verify a player’s registration history in order to ascertain whether a clearance may be required. A determination is made by the registering club personnel on which type of clearance the player requires based on the below listed criteria:
FIFA imposed a general ban on the international transfer of minor players (age 10-17). Despite the ban, FIFA has identified a few exceptions which minors can apply for an International Transfer Certificate or First Registration. For more information on minor exception applications please refer to the Protection of Minors – Guide to Submitting a Minor Application published by FIFA.
Detailed clearance processes, qualifications and forms are listed below. Additional supporting documentation (Birth Certificate, Passport, Certificate of Citizenship, Visa etc.) may be needed for clearance approvals.
To ensure the timely processing of all clearance applications the following instructions must be adhered to:
All clearance requests submitted will be acknowledged by the Player Status department with an automatic email response. The Player Status department will contact applicants to provide updates on applications when available and/or required.
Due to the high volume of applications received, Player Status will not respond to emails which solely request a status update of submitted application.
The below chart lists the seven (7) clearance form types and the criteria for each type. The information is outlined to assist the club in selecting the appropriate form based on the players’ circumstance at the time of clearance submission. It is the responsibility of the club/league to determine which clearance is required for the player.
Each form can be downloaded and lists the specific required documents that must be submitted with the completed form to the Player Status Department when requesting a clearance. Club representatives are required to complete the Club information section of the form.
The steps for a club to request a clearance for a registered player which meets one of the above stated clearance criteria is outlined below:
Until the above process is finalized, a player cannot appear on the teams’ official roster, participate in official games and tournaments as outlined by FIFA regulations. This does not prohibit the player from participating in team trainings and training scrimmages.
U.S. Soccer's Minor Clearances - Options & Forms Outline
The below charts lists the seven (7) clearance form types and the criteria for each type. The information is outlined to assist the club in selecting the appropriate form based on the players’ circumstance at the time of clearance submission. It is the responsibility of the club/league to determine which clearance is required for the player.
Each form can be downloaded and lists the specific required documents that must be submitted with the completed form to the Player Status Department when requesting a clearance. Club representatives are required to complete the Club information section of the form.
International clearances and first registrations for any player nine (9) years of age and younger at the time of registration regardless of citizenship
Minors - Prior to 10 Form
Minors - First Registration Form
Exception: Art. 19 pars 3 and 4 of the RSTP
Minors - 5 Year Exception Form
Club Statement Template *Required
Exception: Art. 19 par. 2 c) of the RSTP
Minors - 50 km Exception Form
Club Statement Template *Required
Exception: Art. 19 par. 2 a) of the RSTP
Minors - Parents Move Exception Form
Parent/Guardian Statement Template *Required for this clearance
Club Statement Template *Required
Exception: Art. 19 par. 2 e) of the RSTP
Minors - Exchange Student Exception Form
Club Statement Template *Required
Exception: Art. 19 par. 2 a) of the RSTP
Exception: Art. 19 par. 2 d) of the RSTP
Minors - Humanitarian Exception Form
Club Statement Template *Required
Adult - First Registration 18+ Form
Adult - 18+ ITC Request Form
International Clearance Overview