Passports

All U.S. citizens, including infants, departing from and entering the United States from another country.

If you have already submitted your passport application, you can check the status of your application here.

Requirements to apply for a U.S. Passport:

First-time applicants, or those who have been issued a U.S. Passport more than 15 years ago, must submit a DS-11 Application for a U.S. Passport.

• 1 recent Passport photo – We provide passport ready photo services- see the fee schedule.
• Proof of Identity
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship
• Separate payments to the Monroe County Tax Collector and the U.S. Dept. of State are required
• Submit a photocopy of the Identification document presented. The photocopy must be of the ID document that you will present when you apply and must be on plain white, 8 1/2 x 11" standard paper stock, showing the front and the back of your ID on the same side. You may enlarge the image of your ID on the 8 1/2 x 11" page, but you may not decrease the size of the image. The likeness of the person in the photograph must be clear. If an acceptable photocopy is not provided, our office will make the photocopy for you.

Acceptable Proof of Identity:

• Valid state-issued photo driver license (Not temporary nor learners permit)
• Official Military ID card
• Current government photo ID (city, state or federal)
• Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport (book or card)
• Parent’s ID, as listed above, is sufficient to identify a minor child

NOTE: If you apply at an Acceptance Agency and submit out-of-state primary identification, you must present an additional ID document, as well. For example, if you apply in Florida with a Georgia Driver License, you must present an additional ID.

For the most current information on Acceptable Proof of Identity, please visit www.travel.state.gov

Acceptable Proof of Citizenship:

• Certified birth certificate issued by the Vital Statistics office from the state in which you were born
• Original Naturalization Certificate
• Original Certificate of Citizenship
• Previous undamaged U.S. Passport (book or card)

The birth certificate must be certified by the state in which the birth took place. A raised, embossed or multi-colored seal must be affixed to the birth certificate and must contain the mother’s and father’s name, the registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Birth certificates issued from a hospital are not acceptable. If you cannot submit one of the above acceptable documents, or for more information, please see Citizenship Evidence.

Minors applying for a U.S. Passport:

Children under age 16 require both parents to be present along with the child(ren) and provide Acceptable Proof of Identity and Evidence of Relationship. If the parent’s name has changed from what appears on the birth certificate, a certified copy of the document effectuating the name change must accompany the application. i.e., certified copy of Final Judgment of Divorce restoring the mother’s maiden name, or a certified copy of a marriage license are examples of proper documentation.   Click here to link to the U.S. Department of State's Explanation and Requirements.  If one parent is unable to appear in person with the child, a signed, notarized Form DS-3053 – Statement of Consent or Special Circumstances must be presented with the minor child’s DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport. This form must be less than 3 months old.

Social Security Number
A social security number is required for all passport applications regardless of the age of the applicant.

One passport photo (Department of State recommendations)
Your photograph must be:

• 2x2 inches in size
• Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
• In Color
• Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
• Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Taken in normal street attire
• Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
• Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
• If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
• Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.
• Shirts are to be any color other than white.

Yes. This requires additional documentation.   You should call the U.S. Department of State’s Passport Office at (877) 487-2778, or visit www.travel.state.gov for more information.

All applicants, including children, must present themselves in person and apply using a  DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport:

• when applying for a U.S. Passport for the first time
• if you are unable to surrender your previously issued U.S. Passport with your application
• if your previous U.S. Passport was issued more than 15 years ago
• if you were 15 years of age or younger when your last U.S. Passport was issued
• if your name has changed since your last U.S. Passport was issued, and you are not able to provide certified legal documentation

Two (2) separate payments are required:

U.S. Department of State fees:

• The U.S. Department of State fee must be in the form of a check or money order only – made payable to U.S. Department of State. (Helpful Tip: Applications paid by money order are processed faster, as the Passport office does not have to wait to for your check to clear.)
• Each member of your party must have a separate payment for the U.S. Dept. of State’s fee to be attached to each application.

Monroe County Tax Collector Acceptance Facility fees:

• The Monroe County Tax Collector Acceptance Facility fee may be paid in check, credit/debit card or money order – made payable to “Monroe County Tax Collector.” A service charge is added to all credit card transactions, Paying by E-check is free.
• Multiple family members applying together on the same transaction may pay the Monroe County Tax Collector Acceptance Facility fee together in one payment.

The passport is valid for ten (10) years if you are 16 years of age or older at time of application, or it is valid for five (5) years if you are 15 years of age or younger at time of application.

You should apply for a passport several months before you plan to travel.  In most cases, you will need a visa from the embassy of the country to which you plan to travel. Additional vaccinations and other health precautionary requirements may also be necessary prior to entering a foreign country. Please consult your travel agent for more information.  View country specific travel information provided by the U.S. Dept. of State.

You may need a visa to gain entrance to most countries.  View a list of foreign embassy web pages. In many cases, there is an application fee for a visa, and requests for a visa may take several months to process, so plan accordingly. Please consult your travel agent for more information.

You must use Form DS-11 when applying at the Monroe County Tax Collector’s Office. You cannot apply with Form DS-82 (Renew a Passport by Mail) at an acceptance facility.

• Fill out your application and collect your documents. See How to Applyto find the right form for you.
• Be sure to include the $60 expedite fee in addition to the normal application fee. See Passport Feesfor more information.
• The expedite fee does not include 1-2 Day Delivery. For optional faster shipping of your application, see 1-2 Day Delivery Serviceshipping below.

The new wallet-size U.S. Passport Card is a travel document that can be used to enter the United States by land travel only from Canada or Mexico, and certain sea ports-of-entry such as the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. What's the difference between the Book and the Card? The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book.

See the estimated processing times from the U.S Department of State.

Complete form DS-64 and mail it to the U.S. Dept. of State to the address shown on the form as soon as possible. You may also report a lost or stolen U.S. Passport by phone: 1-877-487-2778

You must apply using Form DS-11, unless you are replacing a limited-validity passport in your correct gender (see below). In addition to the regularly-required documents*, submit the following:

1. ID that resembles your current appearance
2. Passport photo that resembles your current appearance
3. A medical certification that indicates you are in the process of orhave had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition
4. Proof of legal name change (if applicable)

*See Apply in Person for all regularly-required passport documents.

Medical Certification

A signed, original statement from a licensed physician must be on office letterhead and include:

• Physician’s full name, address, and telephone number
• Medical license or certificate number
• Issuing state or other jurisdiction of medical license/certificate
• Language stating that:
• • He or she has a doctor/patient relationship with you
  • He or she has treated you or has reviewed and evaluated your medical history
  • You have had, or are in process of having, appropriate clinical treatment for transition to the updated gender (male or female)
• The statement must include, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the forgoing is true and correct.”
• Medical certification requirements are the same for a minoras an adult.

A template medical certification is available for download here.

Replacing a Limited-Validity Passport

You may have received a limited-validity passport because your gender transition was still in process. To replace a limited-validity passport for a full validity passport, submit Form DS-5504 (at no additional cost). To use this form, you must apply within two years of your previous passport's issue date.

Submit the following:

• Your limited passport book
• Passport photo that resembles your current appearance
• A medical certificationindicating you have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition

Description of specific treatments is not required. The certification from your physician is based on his or her judgment of your treatment needs. This is in accordance with standards and recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), recognized as the authority in this field by the American Medical Association (AMA).

Information regarding the passport and visa requirements of foreign countries, and their respective fees, may be found at www.travel.state.gov .