Passports

Passport Information

 

US Department of State Requirements for Minors

Applying for your passport is a simple and exciting process! If you are an applicant applying for a passport for the first time - or an applicant renewing a passport issued more than 15 years ago, you must appear in person to sign your application in the presence of a Deputy Clerk. All minors must appear in person with a parent or legal guardian. Minors under 16 read these pages from the Department of State.

Identification Requirements for Passport Books & New Passport Cards

You will need to provide evidence of US Citizenship by submitting one of the following documents:

Your most recent passport.
A certified copy of your United States birth certificate with a raised seal. (Please note: hospital birth certificates are not acceptable.) Long form birth certificates required listing both parents names. Original foreign birth certificate translated into English.
Your original United States Naturalization certificate.

You will need a form of personal identification from the following list:

Current valid driver's license; if issued less than two years ago, applicant must have additional identification. Contact Clerk's Office for further information.
Government or military identification.
Valid aircraft pilot's license issued by the Department of Transportation, FAA.
An affidavit signed by an identifying witness who is a United States citizen and who has known you for at least two (2) years. This witness must appear before the passport agent when you make application.

Photographs

You will need one (1) passport photograph, 2x2 inches. The Clerk’s Office offers this service. Please see the list of fees below. Payment must be in the form of cash, money order, cashier’s check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. This amount may be included in the fee to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The image size (measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, including hair) shall be not less than 1 inch nor more than 1 3/8 inches. The photo must be taken within a reasonable time before application in order that they may be close likeness.

You may also have passport photographs taken by most commercial photography studios. The yellow pages of the phone book also contain information on where to have passport photos taken.

Validity for Passport Books

If you are 16 years of age or older:

Your passport book and / or card will be valid for ten (10) years.

If you are 15 years of age or younger:

Your passport book and / or card will be valid for five (5) years.

Time Frames & Expedited Services

Please refer to the Department of State Website for current processing times as processing times vary throughout the year. There are additional fees payable to US Department of State and the clerk. Please review the list of fees for regular and expedited services. Please be aware, any fees payable to the U.S. Department of State must be in form of personal check, money order or cashier’s check (no cash or credit accepted). Your passport will be mailed directly to you, along with any documents that were sent to the passport agency with your application. Affidavits and mutilated documents will not be returned.

We hope that this information will assist you in your application for a passport. If you have any questions, you may contact our office at 741-4020. If you have any questions regarding your passport after your application has been processed by our office, please contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-(877)-487-2778. Visit the U.S. Department of State Passport Page for Application Processing Times.

Cost for First Time Applicants or Passport Books and Passport Cards

Please review our list of fees below.

Information of Passport Cards

The wallet-size passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. However the U. S. Passport Card can not be used for international air travel. This new travel document can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports – of – entry.

Information of Renewal of Passports

Renewal of passports for an adult must be done through the mail. You may come to our office a pick up the application for renewal or you may visit the U.S.Department of State to download the application for renewal.
Renewal of passports for a minor must comply with first time applicant procedure. You must provide the expired passport book along with the long form Birth Certificate as directed above.

For further information of renewals you may visit the Department of State website at:
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html

We hope that this information will assist you in your application for a passport. If you have any questions, you may contact our office at 741-4020. If you have any questions regarding your passport after your application has been processed by our office, please contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-(877)-487-2778. Visit the U.S. Department of State Passport Page for Application Processing Times. For more information on Passport Cards visit the U.S. Department of State Passport Card Page.