Passport Services 

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Passport Application

The Clerk-Recorder Department offers passport services to those applying for new  passports or passport cards. U.S. citizens wanting a new  passport or passport card must apply in person. U.S. citizens wanting to renew  their passport or passport card must apply by mail with the U.S. Department of State.

Our Passport Services Office is located on the first floor of the Old Orange County Courthouse:

Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department
211 West Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Apply for a Passport in Person

Applicants must appear in person to request a NEW passport.

1. Fill out the passport application (Form DS-11) (available online or in our office).

2. Submit Proof of U.S. citizenship with one of the following:
   

   • Previously issued U.S. passport, if issued less than 15 years ago.
   • Certified copy of a birth certificate.
   • Naturalization Certificate.
   • Certificate of Citizenship.

(NOTE: California birth abstracts, hospital certificates and baptismal certificates cannot be used in place of birth certificates. Click here for a state-by-state listing of where to obtain a certified birth certificate. If you were born in Orange County, click here for information on ordering a certified copy.)

1. Submit 2 identical photographs. Only two photographs need to be submitted if applying for both a passport and passport card at the same time. Applicants may purchase photos from the Clerk-Recorder Department.

2. Show identification with one of the following:

   • Driver's license
   • Military I.D.
   • Department of Motor Vehicles I.D.
   • Employment badge (if it has a photograph, signature, issue and expiration date).
   • A parent with one of these forms of identification may identify a child younger than 16
     
3. Submit plain copies on 8½ x 11 white paper of both the front and back of the identification you present.

(NOTE: If the primary identification is from out of state, such as a driver's license, secondary identification is required. Please include copies of both the front and back of the identification. For more information on secondary identifications, please visit www.travel.state.gov.)

New Passport Applications for a Person between the Ages of 16 and 17

Applicants between the ages of 16 and 17 must appear in person to request a NEW passport. A parent/guardian may need to provide consent for their child to receive a passport. If the applicant does not have identification, a parent/guardian may present their identification on behalf of their child.

1. Fill out the passport application (Form DS-11).

2. Submit proof of U.S. citizenship with one of the following:

   • Previous U.S. passport.
   • Certified copy of a birth certificate.
   • Naturalization Certificate
   • Certificate of Citizenship
     
     (NOTE:California birth abstracts, hospital certificates and baptismal certificates are not acceptable.Click here for a state-by-state listing of where to obtain a certified birth certificate. If you were born in Orange County, click here for information on ordering a certified copy).
     
3. Submit 2 identical photographs. Only two photographs need to be submitted if applying for both a passport and passport card at the same time. Applicants may purchase photos from the Clerk-Recorder Department.

New Passport Applications for a Person 15 years or Younger

Applicants ages 15 years or younger must appear in person and must be accompanied by the parent/guardian.

1. Fill out the passport application (Form DS-11)

2. Attach proof of U.S. Citizenship to your application. The may be proven with one of the following:

   • U.S. Birth Certificate
   • Previous U.S. passport
   • Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240)
   • Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350)
   • Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
     

3. Present Evidence of Child’s Relationship to Parents/Guardians with:

   • Certified Foreign Birth Certificate (with parents’ names and translation, if necessary)
   • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (with parents’ names)
   • Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) (with parent’s names)
   • Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) (with parent’s names)
   • Adoption Decree (with adopting parents’ names)
   • Court Order establishing custody/guardianship
     

4. Show Parental Identification

5. Present Parental Permission Documentation

   • Both parents must appear together and sign
   • One parent appears, signs, and submits second parent's notarized statement of consent
   • One parent appears, signs, and submits evidence of sole authority to apply on behalf of the child
     

6. Submit 2 identical  photographs.

7. Pay passport fees (SEE PASSPORT FEES).

Passport Renewal by Mail

Applicants may renew their passport by mail if the previous passport is less than 15 years old and the applicant was at least 16 years old when they obtained their previous passport.

To RENEW a passport by mail, the applicant must:

1. Complete and sign an "Application for Passport by Mail" (Form DS-82)
2. Submit the most recent U.S. passport or passport card
3. Show proof of name change, such as a certified marriage certificate or court order (if applicable)
4. Include 2 identical photographs
5. Mail all of the above items, along with a check, cashier’s check or money order in the amount of $110 payable to U.S. Department of State, to the following address:
   
   National Passport Processing
   P.O. Box 13349
   Philadelphia, PA 19101-3349

The U.S. Department of State will process the passport renewal application within 4-6 weeks and mail the renewed passport directly to the applicant.

Passport Fees

Fees for a 10-year passport (16 years or older) are:

$110 plus $25

The above fees of $110 and $25 are separate fees and must be paid independently. The $110 fee is sent to U.S. Department of State with the passport application. The $25 fee is paid to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department for processing the application.

The $110 fee can be paid by check, cashier's check or money order payable to U.S. Department of State.

The $25 fee can be paid by cash, personal check, cashier's check, money order, Discover, American Express, MasterCard/Visa Credit and Debit. Please make checks payable to Orange County Clerk-Recorder.

Fees for 5-year passport (15 years or younger) are:

$80 plus $25

The above fees of $80 and $25 are separate fees and must be paid independently. The $80 fee is sent to U.S. Department of State along with the passport application. The $25 fee is paid to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department for processing the application.

The $80 fee can be paid by check, cashier's check or money order payable to U.S. Department of State.

The $25 fee can be paid by cash, personal check, cashier's check, money order, Discover, American Express, MasterCard/Visa Credit and Debit. Please make checks payable to Orange County Clerk-Recorder.

Expedited Services

Passport applications may be expedited for an additional fee of $60 per application. The turn-around time for an expedited passport is 3 to 4 weeks. Make your check or money order payable to: U.S. Department of State. This fee is in addition to  regular passport fees (SEE PASSPORT FEES).

Note: Expedited services are not available for passport cards.

If an applicant needs the passport sooner, contact the National Passport Information Center toll free at (877) 487-2778.

Passport Application Forms

Both the NEW and RENEWAL passport applications can be obtained online from the Passport Application Forms section of the U.S. State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs web page. Form DS-11 should be used when applying for a passport in person. Form DS-82 should be used when applying for a passport by mail. Applications are also available in our Passport Services Office.