The Clerk of Court has been designated a passport application acceptance agent by the United States Department of State. The Clerk of Court does not issue passports. As an acceptance agent, we are authorized to assist in the preparation and submission of passport applications to the Department of State. We insure that passport applications are properly completed and forward those applications to the appropriate processing center. We accept applications on business days during the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. central time.

Form DS-11 must be completed by those citizens applying for a passport book or passport card for the first time. In order to complete the application process, a person must submit proof of United Statesí citizenship usually in the form of a certified birth certificate. Proof of identity such as a valid driverís license is also required. In addition, a passport grade color photograph must be submitted. There are special requirements governing the issuance of passports to children under the age of sixteen.

Passport book fees for Form DS-11, which are subject to change, are currently:

Persons 16 years of age and over

$135.00

Persons under 16 years of age

$105.00

Expedite fee if purchased

$ 60.00

Overnight return delivery fee if purchased

$ 15.45

Passport cards may only be used for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Passport card fees for Form DS-11, which are subject to change, are currently fifty-five dollars for persons sixteen years of age and over and forty dollars for persons under sixteen years of age.

The United States Department of Stateís website, www.travel.state.gov is a valuable passport resource. It enables you to obtain detailed information on applying for new passports as well as renewing current passports. Form DS-11 and other forms are available for review and printing. You can also track the status of your application after it has been submitted for processing. We encourage you to use this resource as you prepare for your travel.