Passports

Any person traveling outside the United States needs a passport to reenter the country (including those traveling to Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean).

There are four Broward County courthouse locations where individuals may apply for or renew passports. Refer to contact information on this page for courthouse location information.

Applying for a Passport

In order to apply for a new passport book/card, you must:

• Complete Form DS-11 - Application for a U.S. Passport (in black ink only, no white-out)
• Appear in person (this includes minors)
• Submit original evidence of US citizenship and a photocopy of the front (and back, if there is printed information)
• Supply original proof of identity and photocopy of identification (front & back)
• Provide one passport photo
• Provide Social Security Number (not the actual card)
• Two forms of payment are required

• The application fee(s), expedite fee and overnight fee is made payable to the U. S. Department of State by personal check or money order.(separate money order(s) needed for each applicant)
• Form DS-11 - Application for a U.S. Passport The $35 acceptance fee, photo fee and cost for copies, must be paid by cash, credit, or debit card.

For more information, please visit the travel.state.gov website.

Passport Book

The U.S. Passport Book can be used for all international travel by air, sea, or land.

You must complete Form DS-11 - Application for a U.S. Passport and apply in person if you can answer “yes” to the following questions:

• Are you applying for the first time?
• Was your previous U.S. passport lost, stolen, or damaged
• Is your previous passport expired and issued over 15 years ago?
• Is your previous passport expired and was issued when you were under the age of 16?
• Has your name changed since your passport was originally issued, and you don’t have legal proof of the change?

All applicants must bring proof of U.S. citizenship (such as an original certified Birth Certificate, Naturalization Certificate, or a previous passport) and proof of identity (such as a valid driver license).

IMPORTANT — To ensure that you have included all requested documents required to process your application, please refer to Form DS-11 - Application for a U.S. Passport for a listing of these requirements.

You can read more about getting a passport book or passport card by visiting the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consumer Affairs website.

Passport Card

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

All U.S. citizens may apply for a passport card. If you already have a valid U.S. passport book, you do not need to have a passport card in addition to your passport book to travel internationally.

If you are interested in applying for a U.S. passport card, and you have a U.S. passport book and are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for the card by mail.

You can use Form DS-82 to renew your passport book at the same time that you apply for your passport card. To find out whether you qualify to use Form DS-82 and apply by mail, please visit Renew a Passport.

If you are interested in applying for a U.S. passport card, but you have never had a U.S. passport book or are not eligible to use Form DS-82, you must apply in person using Form DS-11.

You can read more about getting a passport book or passport card by visiting the U.S. Department of State’s website.

Other Requirements

Photo Requirements

Please refer to the Passport Photo Requirements section.

Requirements for Minors

Special instructions for applicants under the age of 16:

• All applicants, regardless of age, must appear in person.
• Parental or legal guardians’ consent is required.
• Evidence of Child's Relationship to Parent/Guardian must be presented.
• Parent/Guardian must present valid photo identification.

Special instructions for applicants 16 and 17 years of age:

• All applicants, regardless of age, must appear in person.
• Parental or legal guardians’ consent may be required.
• Valid Photo Identification is required, if none available, the parent or legal guardian of the applicant will need to appear in person with their valid photo identification.

Additional information regarding Minor Applicants can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.

Renewing a Passport

You may use Form DS-82 to renew your passport by mail if you can answer “yes” to the following questions:

• Do you already have a U.S. passport which is NOT damaged?
• Did you receive it within the past 15 years?
• Were you at least 16 years of age when you received it?
• Do you still have the same name or legal proof of your name change? (You will need to submit this proof in an original format.)

You will need to include the following:

• Your most recent passport
• One passport photograph
• And, a $130.00 fee payable to the U.S. Department of State
• If you need your passport urgently, you may request Expedited Service.

Note: We do not accept Form DS-82 at any of the locations. It must be mailed to the address listed on the form.

Note: Your old passport will be returned with your new passport.

If your name has changed since your last passport was issued, you must include the following:

• A certified copy of the legal document specifying your name change (for example: a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, an adoption decree, or a court order).
• No photocopies will be accepted.

To ensure that you have included all requested documents required to process your application, please refer to Form DS-82 for a listing of these requirements.

Renew in person using Form DS-11 if you respond "yes" to at least one of the following statements:

• I am applying with my child who is under age 16
• My previous U.S. passport was issued when I was under age 16.
• My previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged.
• My previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
• You prefer to renew in person.

Please refer to the information on applying for a Passport for additional requirements for in person applicants.

Passport Photo Requirements

The following are the requirements for Passport photos:

• Must be a 2x2 color photograph taken within 6 months from the date of your application submission.
• Photograph background must be white or off-white.
• No headgear is permitted unless for religious or medical purposes. For medical reasons, please submit a doctor’s note. For religious purposes, please submit a signed affidavit, explaining why you must wear headgear in the photograph.
• No glasses are permitted (unless medically necessary-please submit doctor's note).
• Uniforms of any kind cannot be worn in the passport photograph.

For more information, please visit the travel.state.gov website. The website offers passport photo examples and requirements.

Fees and Costs

Please note the two separate fee schedules and forms of payment (below) that are required for the U.S. Department of State and the Broward County Clerk's Office.

*Fees below must be paid by Personal Check, Cashier’s Check or Money Order
Make payable to: U.S. Department of State

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Payment by check or money order must be in the exact amount. Otherwise, this will cause a delay.
• There are no starter checks allowed.
• NON-REFUNDABLE FEE — The passport application fee is non-refundable. It is collected and retained by law even if a passport is not issued.

*Fees below must be paid by Cash, or with an American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit card)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• NON REFUNDABLE FEE — The clerk's execution fee is non-refundable. It is collected and retained by law even if a passport is not issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a US Passport Book?

The U.S. Passport Book can be used for all international travel by air, sea, or land.

What is a US Passport Card?

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

What if my child was born in another country, can I apply for his/her passport?

What if my document (birth certificate/divorce decree/marriage license, etc.) is in another language besides English? Do I need to have it translated?

Can I submit a copy of my original document instead of the actual copy?

No, the U.S. Department of State requires original documents only. However, the document will be mailed back to you.

Where can I obtain passport photos, and what is the cost?

You can obtain passport photos at any one of the convenient Clerk of Court Passport locations listed in the Contact Information section on the right. The cost is $15.00 per applicant. The Passport Photo fee may only be paid with Cash or Credit Card (American Express, Visa or MasterCard).

What if I forgot to make a copy of my citizenship and/or Identification?

Must both parents appear in person with our minor child?

Yes, if both parents are on the birth certificate. However, if this is not possible, the non-applying parent must submit form DS-3053 and a copy of the non-applying parent’s identification (front & back).

What if my child’s father/mother/other is not listed on the original birth certificate, do I still need consent?

No, only the parents listed on the legal original birth certificate are required to come in person or consent to the passport in writing.