Passports

Application for Passport. Print or type with black ink only. Do not sign the application until requested to do so by a Passport Acceptance Agent.

Required Documents

1. Proof of U. S. Citizenship. One of the following:
   • Birth certificates must contain the following information to be acceptable primary evidence of U.S. Citizenship:
     1. Full name of the applicant.
     2. Date and Place of birth.
     3. Raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal of issuing authority.
     4. Registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office (must be within one year of the birth).
     5. All applicants under the age of 16 must present a birth certificate even if they have a previous passport.
   • Immigration and Naturalization Certificate, for Naturalized citizens.
   • Previous U.S. Passport
2. A copy of your proof of citizenship must be submitted with your application. If there is printing on both sides of your proof of citizenship you must include a front and back copy. Copies are not required when submitting a previous U.S. passport as proof of citizenship.
3. Photo Identification and copy of front and back, i.e. Current Driver's License (Expired or a temporary license is not acceptable), State or Government ID, Passport. If out-of-state identification, or California Identification Card is presented, you are required to present a second form of ID, and a photocopy of the front and back of that ID. It should contain the following information: Your photo, full name, date of birth, and issuance date. If you would like us to make a copy of your ID the fee is $1.00.  A copy of parent’s identification to be submitted with application for a minor under 18.
4. One Passport Photo. Color photo, 2 x 2 inches in size, taken within the last 6 months, full face, front view, with white or off-white background. Do not wear a uniform, nor a hat or headgear that obscures the hairline. We do not take photos in our office.
5. Prior Marriages? A Previous Marriage Information Sheet must be filled out and submitted with the DS-11 application for name change(s) that occurred from a previous marriage.
6. All passport applicants must include their Social Security number on the application.
7. All applicants, age 15 and under, who have or have not had a passport in the past must apply in person using the Form DS-11 and must submit a certified copy their birth certificate. They must also appear with both natural parents or legal guardian(s). If a parent cannot be present, the notarized consent form, DS-3053, must be submitted with minor’s passport application. The DS-3053 form must include a front and back photocopy of parent’s ID. All sections of DS-3053 form should be filled out by the notary public.

For additional details, please visit travel.state.gov

Fees - Applicants Age 16 years and older

Individual checks should be submitted to the US Dept. of State for each passport application that is submitted.

There are two separate fees that must be paid:

• U.S. Dept. of State = $130.00 (Check or Money Order ONLY. No credit/debit cards).
• County Clerk = $35.00 (Cash, Check or Money Order. No credit/debit cards). If more than one applicant, this fee can be combined on one check.

Fees - Applicants Age 15 and younger

There are two separate fees that must be paid:

• U.S. Dept. of State = $100.00 (Check or Money Order ONLY. No credit/debit cards).
• County Clerk = $35.00 (Cash, Check or Money Order. No credit/debit cards). If more than one applicant, this fee can be combined on one check.

Expedited Service/Plus Express Mail Envelopes

To expedite the processing of your passport there is an additional fee of $60.

• Adult (Age 16 & Older): $130 + $60 = $190, plus $35 to the County Clerk
• Age 15 & Younger: $100 + $60 = $160, plus $35 to the County Clerk

Applicants can pay for express mail envelopes to reduce mailing time. The Express Envelope fee for mailing to the U.S. Dept. of State is $27.90. The return Express Envelope fee is $21.36.

• Adult (Age 16 & Older): $130 + $60 + $21.36 = $211.36, plus $35 + $27.90 = $62.90 to the County Clerk
• Age 15 & Younger: $100+ $60 + $21.36 = $181.36, plus $35 + $27.90 = $62.90 to the County Clerk

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

Fees - Applicants Age 16 years and older

Individual checks should be submitted to the US Dept. of State for each passport application that is submitted.

There are two separate fees that must be paid:

• U.S. Dept. of State = $30.00 (check or money order).
• County Clerk = $35.00 (cash, or check). If more than one applicant, this fee can be combined for all applicants

Please note: Credit cards may not be used to pay either fee.

Fees - Applicants Age 15 and younger

There are two separate fees that must be paid:

• U.S. Dept. of State = $15.00 (check or money order).
• County Clerk = $35.00 (cash, or check). If more than one applicant, this fee can be combined for all applicants

Please note: Credit cards may not be used to pay either fee.

Fees - Expedited Service

The U.S. Department of State will expedite the processing time for your passport card for an additional fee of $60. Total fees paid to the U.S. Dept. of State are:

• Adult (Age 16 & Older): $30 + $60 = $90, plus $35 to the County Clerk
• Age 15 & Younger: $15 + $60 = $75, plus $35 to the County Clerk

Passport Cards arrive via First Class Mail only.

If the minor only has one parent/guardian, evidence of sole authority to apply for the minor must be submitted with the application in the form of a:

• U.S. or foreign birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or adoption decree, listing only the applying parent
• Certified copy of the court order granting sole legal and physical custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order)
• Certified copy of the court order specifically permitting applying parent's travel with the child
• Judicial declaration of incompetence of the non-applying parent
• Death certificate of the non-applying parent

All applicants, age 15 and under, who have or have not had a passport in the past must apply in person using the Form DS-11 and must submit a certified copy their birth certificate. They must also appear with both natural parents or legal guardian(s). If a parent cannot be present, the notarized consent form, DS-3053, must be submitted with minor’s passport application. The DS-3053 form must include a front and back photocopy of parent’s ID. All sections of DS-3053 form should be filled out by the notary public.

Processing Time

Week of 3/29/2024 Processing times: Routine: 6-8 weeks, Expedited: 2-3 weeks. Times vary depending on workload and are posted at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Online Application Status Check

Check the status of your passport application online at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/status.html

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs from the U.S. Department of State: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html

Foreign Entry Requirements

Tips for Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

Traveling within 14 Days?

If you are leaving, or need your passport or a foreign visa, within 14 days you may make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency. For the Bay Area, that agency is:

San Francisco Passport Agency Phone: 1-877-487-2778 450 Golden Gate Avenue 3^rd Floor, Suite 3-2501 San Francisco, CA 95102 Hours: 9 am - 4 pm Mon thru Fri excluding federal holidays

Renewals

Passports may be renewed in person with the DS-11 application only or by mail with the DS-82 application if certain conditions are met. Call the County Clerk at 831-454-2060 or visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport.html for details.

Name Change

Call the County Clerk at 831-454-2060 or visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/change-correct.html for details.

Commercial Services

There are a number of commercial passport services that, for a fee, will "hand carry" your passport application to a passport processing facility. To find a service check online or in the phone book. The Santa Cruz County Clerk's Office cannot recommend any service.

Additional information may be found on the back of the passport application, or online at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html. For more information please call the County Clerk's Office at 831-454-2060, or visit us online at: https://sccoclerk.santacruzcountyca.gov/