What You Need to Apply for a Passport

As a Passport Acceptance Facility, the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors is responsible for the following:

• Reviewing your passport application for completeness,
• Establishing proof of identify of the applicant,
• Verifying citizenship information,
• Administering an oath,
• Witnessing applicant's signature,
• Collecting fees,
• And packaging accepted applications and transmitting them to the U.S. Department of State.

To quickly process your passport application, when you arrive for your appointment, be prepared with the following. Please note, if you are renewing your passport, you may be eligible to apply by mail.

After you have applied, we recommend that applicants:

• Keep their receipts,
• Check the status of their passport application by visiting the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site,
• For questions regarding your application or other general questions, contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at toll free 1-877-487-2778, TTY/TDD 1-888-874-7793, or via e-mail at npic@state.gov.

Passport Application Processing Steps

1. Complete the Form
First, identify the appropriate form, complete it, but do not sign. Use only black ink to fill out the form. Forms must only be signed when instructed by an acceptance agent.

Forms are available at our office and online. The Department of State’s web site allows you to complete the necessary forms online and print them. Using the incorrect form will delay the issuance of your passport.

If you are renewing a passport, you may be eligible to apply by mail.  

2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
ONE of the following documents must be presented.  Please note, all citizenship documents are required to be sent with your passport application.  All documentation submitted as citizenship evidence will be returned to you.  These documents will be delivered with your newly issued U.S. passport or in a separate mailing. 

• If you were born in the U.S., proof of citizenship can be in the form of a Certified Copy of your Birth Certificate issued by the state, city, or county of your birth. A Certified Copy will have a raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal and the date the certificate was filed. Hospital Birth Certificates, and Abstracts from California and Texas, are not acceptable.
• If you were born in the County of San Diego, you may obtain a copy of your birth certificate from the County Recorder/Clerk in Room 260, County Administration Center.
  Click here for a state-by-state listing of where to obtain a certified birth certificate for a particular state.
• If you were born abroad, bring a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen, or a Certificate of Birth (Form FS-545 or DS-1350). Puerto Rican birth certificates are accepted as long as they are issued on or after July 1, 2010.
• A previously issued full-validity passport book or card maybe submitted.  These documents maybe expired and should not be damaged.

3. Proof of Identity must consist of one of the following:

• A valid Driver’s License or State-issued Identification Card
• A previously issued U.S. Passport
• Government or Military Identification that has the signature of the bearer
• A Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
• Foreign passports for parents or legal guardians applying for minors
• A valid Pilot's license issued by the FAA

4. Submit One Passport Photograph

For your convenience, the Clerk of the Board offers passport photo services.  Passport photos are $11.  

Photos taken at other facilities must meet the U.S. Department of State's criteria.  

5. Payment for Acceptance Fees

Passport applications require two fees:

     (1) ACCEPTANCE FEE: Payable to the County of San Diego, separately from the passport fee, is payable by cash, check, or money order to the County of San Diego.  We do not accept credit cards. Be aware that if your check bounces, you may be referred to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.  Passing a bad check with intent to defraud is a crime. Be sure you have adequate funds on deposit before you write a check.

     (2) APPLICATION FEE: Payable ONLY by check or money order to the U.S. Department of State.

The Clerk of the Board issues money orders for a nominal fee ($2.00).

An ATM is located in the County Administration Center. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.

The total fee will depend on whether you select to apply for a passport card, a passport book, or both. 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.

For information about the fees, visit our fees information page.

6. Make an Appointment and Appear in Person

ALL passport applicants must appear in person, including minors under age 16.

Applicants  - children under age 16

Applicants - children age 16 or 17

Both parents must appear with a child under age 16.  If one parent cannot appear, a notarized consent must be obtained from the non-appearing parent. The non-applying parent or guardian must also provide a photocopy of the front and back of his or her ID with the consent form.  If the absent parent cannot be reached to give written consent, the applying parent must provide an explanation on the consent form as to why the absent parent cannot be present. If the child is over 16 years old, only one parent needs to appear.