Santa Cruz County Clerk

Passport Instructions and Information

 

***** EVERY PASSPORT APPLICANT MUST APPEAR IN PERSON *****

APPLICATION: Print or type with black or blue pen only.

DO NOT SIGN APPLICATION until requested to do so by a Passport Acceptance Agent. Click here to go to travel.state.gov for your application
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

  1. Photo Identification. Current Driver’s License, State or Government Identification. (Expired license or temporary license is not acceptable)

  2. Two Identical Passport Photos. Color photos, 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.

  3. Proof of Citizenship

    Certified Copy of Birth Certificate issued by the state or county of birth. A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. (California Abstract of Birth is not an acceptable document)

    OR

    Immigration and Naturalization Certificate, for Naturalized citizens.

    OR

    Previous U.S. Passport
FEES –

APPLICANTS AGE

16 AND OLDER

There are two separate fees that must be paid:

  1. U.S. Dept. of State = $75.00 (CHECK OR MONEY ORDER). If more than one applicant, this fee can be combined on one check. (Individual checks are required for expedited service).

  2. County Clerk = $25.00 (CASH, CHECK OR MONEY ORDER). If more than one applicant, this fee can be totaled for all applicants.

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

APPLICANTS AGE

15 AND YOUNGER

 There are two fees that must be paid:

  1. U.S. Dept. of State = $60.00 (CHECK OR MONEY ORDER). If more than one applicant, this fee can be totaled on one check. (Individual checks are required for expedited service).

  2. County Clerk = $25.00 (CASH, CHECK OR MONEY ORDER). If more than one applicant, this fee can be totaled for all applicants.

Please note: Credit cards may not be used to pay either fee.
EVERY MINOR CHILD MUST APPEAR IN PERSON WITH CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE Applicants under the age of 16 must appear with both natural parents or Legal Guardian. Legal Guardian must bring a Certified Copy of Legal Guardianship.

If a parent cannot be present, a signed and notarized consent form must be submitted with the minor’s passport application. For additional requirements when applying for a minor’s passport, please inquire with the County Clerk.
PROCESSING TIME

  • Routine Service: 4 to 6 Weeks plus Mailing Time

  • Expedited Service: 3 Weeks plus Mailing Time

  • Expedited Service with Overnight Mail Envelopes: About 2-3 Weeks
EXPEDITED SERVICE

PLUS

OVERNIGHT MAIL
ENVELOPES

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

  • Adult (Age 16 & Older): $75 + $60 = $135, plus $25 to the County Clerk

  • Age 15 & Younger: $60 + $60 = $120, plus $25 to the County Clerk

In addition, applicants can purchase overnight envelopes from the Clerk and U.S. Dept. of State to expedite the mailing time. Each envelope for mailing to the U.S. Dept. of State is $18.30. The envelope fee for mailing from the U.S. Dept. of State is $14.85. Therefore, if applicants want to expedite the processing time for their passports, plus expedite the mail, total fees are:

  • Adult (Age 16 & Older): $75 + $60 + $14.85= $149.85, plus $25 + $18.30 = $43.30 to the County Clerk

  • Age 15 & Younger: $60 + $60 + $14.85= $134.85, plus $25 + $18.30 = $43.30 to the County Clerk
ONLINE APPLICATION STATUS CHECK You can check the status of your passport application by clicking here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS From the U.S. Dept. of State
FOREIGN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Tips for Traveling Abroad From the U.S. Dept. of State
TRAVELING WITHIN 14 DAYS? If you are leaving, or you 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 located in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO Passport Agency
95 Hawthorne Street 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-3901

Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays
Automated Appointment Number: 1-877-487-2778

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT AT A PASSPORT AGENCY. CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT PAY ANYONE OR ANY BUSINESS MAKING SUCH A CHARGE
RENEWALS

If you can answer yes to all these questions you can renew by mail:

  • Is your passport undamaged and can be submitted with your application?
  • Was your passport issued when you were age 16 or older?
  • Was your passport issued within the last 15 years?
  • Was your passport issued in your current name or you can legally document your name change?
COMMERCIAL SERVICES There are a number of passport commercial services who, for a fee, will "hand carry" your passport to the San Francisco Dept. of State Office. To find a service, check online or in the phone book. The Santa Cruz County Clerks Office cannot recommend any service.
NAME CHANGE

For instructions on how to Change Your Name on your passport, click here. If your passport was issued less than 1 year ago and your name has been legally changed due to marriage or court order.

Additional information may be found on the back of the passport application, or online at www.travel.state.gov. For more information please call the County Clerk’s Office at 831-454-2060 or visit us online at www.sccoclerk.com.

 

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