Passport Application Acceptance Services

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Clerk Of The Board Of Supervisors
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway - Room 402
(619) 531-5600

The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors offers Passport Acceptance Service on the Fourth Floor of the County Administration Center at 1600 Pacific Highway. The Administration Center offers free two-hour public parking and is conveniently located near downtown San Diego.

County Administration Center Vicinity Map

Available Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Passport Application Processing Steps

Identify the appropriate form, complete it, but do not sign. Forms are available at our office.   They may be downloaded via the internet at http://travel.state.gov
Caution: Failure to use the correct form will delay the issuance of your passport:

Be Prepared To Present:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship (ONE of the following documents):
  1. If you were born in the U.S., 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.
     
     NOTE:  Hospital Birth Certificates, and Abstracts from California and Texas, are not acceptable.
     
     
     
  2. 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.
     
     
  3. 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).
• Proof of Identity
  • Must consist of ONE:
  • A previously issued U.S. Passport
  • A Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
  • A valid Driver’s License or State-issued Identification Card
  • Government or Military Identification
• Two Photographs
  • Photographs must be taken within the past six months, be identical, 2x2 inches, in either color or black/white.
  • Photograph must show a front view, full face, on a plain, light background. NOTE: Vending machine photographs are NOT ACCEPTABLE.
  • Photography service is available in Room 273, County Administration Center
• Two-Parent Signature
  • NEW APPLICATION REQUIREMENT:  As of February 1, 2008, ALL passport applicants must appear in person including minors under age 16.
  • Both parents must appear with a child under age 16.  If a parent cannot appear, a notarized consent must be submitted by the other parent. If the parent cannot be reached to give written consent, a notarized explanation must be submitted by the appearing parent. If the child is over 16 years old, only one parent needs to appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Apply By Mail? (For Renewals Only)

• You may apply by mail if you meet ALL these conditions:

  1. The issue date of your last passport was less than 15 years ago;
     

  2. You were 16 or older when it was issued;
     

  3. Your name is the same, or you can submit name-change documentation (marriage certificate or court order);

  4. You can submit your most recent passport;

  5. It is undamaged.

• If you answered YES to ALL FIVE of the questions above, follow the instructions on the back of Form DS-82, Application for Passport by Mail.
• If you answered NO to ANY ONE OF THE FIVE questions, STOP. You cannot use Form DS-82. You must apply on Application Form DSP-11 DS-11: Application for Passport and SUBMIT YOUR FORM IN PERSON.

What Form Should I Use And How Do I Get Them?

• For A Regular Passport, use DS-11: Application for Passport
• The form must be presented and Signed In Front of an Acceptance Agent.
• You must use this form IF one of the following applies:

  1. You have never had a U.S. passport,
     

  2. You are under age 16;
     

  3. Your most recent passport was lost or stolen.
     

  4. Your most recent passport is more than 15 years old.

• (If you are applying because your passport was lost or stolen, you will also need to submit Form DS-64.
• Please follow the instructions on the second page of the application.
• The passport application forms are double-sided. Although the second page requires no data from the applicant, it contains important information, official legal statements, and is a required part of the application form. Read the form before completing.
• For A Passport By Mail, use DS-82: Application for Passport, "Can I Apply by Mail?"

Passport Book - How Much Does It Cost?

• A 10-year Passport (age 16 or older):
• $75 passport fee payable to U.S. Department of State
• $25 execution fee payable to County of San Diego
• $100 total

• A five-year Passport (under 16 only)
• $60 passport fee payable to U.S. Department of State
• $25 execution fee payable to County of San Diego
• $85 total

Passport Card ? How Much Does It Cost?

•  A 10-year Passport Card (age 16 or older):
• $20 passport fee payable to U.S. Department of State
• $25 execution fee payable to County of San Diego
• $45 total

• A five-year Passport Card(under 16 only)
• $10 passport fee payable to U.S. Department of State
• $25 execution fee payable to County of San Diego
• $35 total

• The execution fee must be paid separately from the passport fee. We accept personal checks, certified checks, cashiers’ checks, traveler’s checks, and money orders.  
• Our office now offers money orders at $1.30 each!
  

How Long Will It Take?

• Passports are usually received within 5 – 6 weeks of submitting the application. If you will need visas from foreign embassies, allow more time.  

What If I Need It Sooner Than 25 Business Days?

• If you must have your passport in less than 25 business days, an Expedite Process is available:
  Expedite Fee = $60, payable to U.S. Department of State
  Two-way overnight mail($14.85, each way) is strongly recommended.
  Using Expedite Service and overnight mail, you should receive your passport within three weeks.

Must I Have A Social Security Number?

• Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 requires that passport applicants provide this information. Passport Services gives this information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) routinely. An applicant who fails to provide the information is subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the IRS. If you have questions, call the nearest IRS office.

How Can I Find Out The Status Of My Application?

• To find out the status of a pending application, call:
  
  1-877-487-2778;
  TDD Users: 1-888-874-7793
• NPIC is a toll-free service.  Customer service representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.  Automated information is available 24/7.

How Can I Change The Name On My Passport?

• Effective March 8, 2005, Passport Services will no longer accept amendments to U.S. passports.  To request a name change, a correction to the descriptive data printed on the passport, or an extension of the validity of a limited passport, submit form DS-5504, U.S. Passport Re-Application Form, along with the passport that needs the change.

Can My Foreign-Born Child Become A Citizen?

• The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), Public Law 106-395, applies to certain foreign-born children. If eligible under this new law, these children will automatically acquire U.S. citizenship, provided they meet certain conditions. http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/family/family_865.html

How Can I Get In Touch With BCIS?

• The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services has a national customer service center. For information on immigration matters, call 1-800-375-5283, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. www.bcis.gov

How Can I Get More Info Regarding Travel Abroad?

• The Bureau of Consular Affairs, US State Department, maintains a web site with information on various topics that may interest you. http://travel.state.gov/