Passports

Alert IconPassport Photo Fee Change

As of April 1, passport photo fees will change to $15.

Passport Services Update

At this time the U.S. Department of State has limited the applications that can be accepted by the Clerk's office.  

If you are traveling in less than 9 weeks, you must call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 in order to make an appointment for passport services at a U.S. Department of State Passport Agency. 

Federal Processing Time Update - Expect Delays:

According to the federal U.S. Department of State: Mail delays are impacting when they receive passport applications for processing. Their processing times begin the day they receive an application, not the day it is mailed. With this in mind, their service times are as follows:

  • Routine service can take up to 14 weeks from the day an application is submitted at an acceptance facility or renewed through the mail to the day a new passport is received by the customer. The 14-week timeframe includes up to 12 weeks for processing at the passport agency and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
  • Expedited service (for an additional $60) can take up to 12 weeks from the day an application is submitted at an acceptance facility or renewed through the mail to the day a new passport is received by the customer. The 12-week timeframe includes up to 6 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end. 
  • For faster mailing times, customers may opt to pay for 1-2 day delivery service for applications mailed to Passport Services and for the mailing of their new passport.

Customers who have a life-or-death emergency or urgent travel within 3 business days should visit travel.state.gov for assistance. 

  1. Applying for a Passport
  2. Passport Fees
  3. Passport Renewals

General Information:

  • Every applicant, including children must appear in person.
  • Federal law requires both parents’ or legal guardians’ signatures on a passport application for a child 15 years of age or younger, or documentation of the absence of the second parent. It is strongly encouraged for both parents to appear in person when applying for a child.
  • A minor age 16 or 17 may apply for a passport without a parent as long as they have a valid driver’s license and written consent from a parent, or can submit a parent’s check for payment of the passport
  • Passports will be mailed from the Federal Passport Agency directly to the address you provide in your application. Normally passports are received within four to six weeks but may take longer depending on delays at the Federal Passport Agency. Updated information on processing times can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.  

Complete a Passport Application:

Passport applications are available at all Clerk locations and can be downloaded from the U.S. Department of State’s website. If completing your application by hand, please do so legibly and in black ink. Do not sign the application until you are in front of a deputy Clerk.

Passport cards may only be used for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. The application process is the same as if applying for a passport, and all documents listed are still required.

Passport Requirements:

1. Certified proof of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the front and back. Proof of citizenship must be certified. It will be sent with the application and will be returned by the Passport Agency. Proof of citizenship should be one of the following:

  • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (must show the name of parents)
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Expired U.S Passport (minors under the age of 16 with an expired passport will need to submit the long form birth certificate as proof of citizenship) 

2. A 2”x 2” passport photo with a white colored background taken within the last six months. Passport photos can be taken at all Clerk locations for $15. 

3. Original valid identification and a photocopy of the front and back. Valid identification includes:

  • Valid Driver’s License (learner’s permits are not accepted)
  • U.S. Passport
  • Military or State identification

4. Two forms of payment for passport fees: There are two separate fees for passport applications. Applicants need to bring a check or money order and cash or credit card.

Locations

  1. Bartow Office

    Physical Address
    255 N. Broadway Ave.
    Bartow, FL 33830-3912

  1. Lakeland

    Physical Address
    930 E. Parker St., Room 240
    Lakeland, FL 33801-1929

  1. Northeast Office - New Location

    Physical Address
    200 Government Center Blvd.
    Lake Alfred, FL 33850