Who needs a Passport?
A U.S. citizen needs a passport to depart and/or enter the United States and most foreign countries. Exceptions include travel between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda where a U.S. birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship may be accepted. Please check with your travel agent or airline for possible changes, as well as the website http://travel.state.gov/passport
**BEWARE of a PASSPORT that is about to EXPIRE**
If your passport is due to expire within six months, certain countries will not permit you to enter and will not place a visa in your passport.
Where to apply for a Passport?
For your first passport, you must appear in person and complete Form DSP-11, Passport Application*. The passport acceptance facility in Jackson County is the Jackson County Clerk’s Office, 312 S. Jackson Street, Jackson, Michigan.
* This includes all minor children under the age of 16.
What to bring when applying for a Passport.
A certified copy (raised seal) of your Birth Certificate. A copy may be obtained from the county clerk’s office in the county of your birth, or by calling Vital Records at the State of Michigan at: (517) 335-8666.
Proof of Identity - Valid driver’s license, government issued (federal, state, or municipal) identification card, previous passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.
Two (2) identical, photographs of yourself taken within the past six months. The photographs must NOT exceed 2 x 2 inches in size and must be in color. Photos can be taken at the Clerk’s Office for a fee of $10.00 for two photos. See passport application for specific qualifications.
How much does it cost?
There are two separate fees involved. Applicants age 16 and over must pay $75.00 check or money order made payable to the Department of State for their passport, plus a $25.00 check or money order made out to the County Clerk for an execution fee. The passport is valid for ten (10) years.
Applicants age 15 and under must pay $60.00 check or money order made out to the Department of State for their passport, plus $25.00 check or money order made to the County Clerk. The passport is valid for five (5) years.
Special requirements for children under age 16:
* Both parents and/or the child's legal guardian(s) must appear with the child
* If only one parent appears, you must submit one of the following:
Second parent's written statement consenting to passport issuance for the child. Parent’s signature must be notarized.
Primary evidence of sole authority to apply OR
A written statement (made under penalty of perjury) explaining the second parent's unavailability. Signature must be notarized.
* If the child has a previous passport, please bring it with you along with a certified copy of the child's birth certificate.
Please Note: The expedited service cost is $60.00 per application. This does NOT include overnight delivery. Customer must arrange for overnight delivery.
PLEASE BRING TWO (2) SEPARATE CHECKS WHEN APPLYING. $25.00 per application is paid to the County Clerk and the balance is paid to the Department of State.
How to Renew a Passport by Mail: (Note: The renewal fee is $75.00)
If the following criteria applies, you may renew your passport by mail:
1. Your previous passport must have been issued on or after your 16th birthday.
2. Your passport must have been issued within the last 15 years.
3. If your names have been changed due to marriage or by court order (You must submit a certified copy of the court order or the marriage license.)
4. It is undamaged.
You can obtain Form DSP-82, Application for Passport by Mail from the Jackson County Clerk’s Office, your travel agent, or from the Internet at The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.(http://travel.state.gov/passport) Mail the completed application (front & back) and attachments to the National Passport Center listed on the DSP-82 application form.
How long does it take to get my Passport?
Please check the website at http://travel.state.gov/passport for current processing times. Generally, you should receive your passport within 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of the completed application.
What if I need my Passport now?
Please check the website at http://travel.state.gov/passport for current processing times.
If you have allowed only two to three (2 to 3) weeks between your passport application and travel time, it is strongly recommended that you arrange for a two-way overnight delivery of the passport to prevent delays.
If you are traveling within two (2) weeks of application, it is recommended that you drive to the nearest passport agency to apply, which is:
Department of State Passport Agency
Kluczynski Federal Bldg.
230 S. Dearborn St.
Chicago, Illinois 60604
The agency is open Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 p.m. Central Time and will only offer service by appointment. Customers may schedule an automated appointment 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling: (877)-487-2778.
When customers arrive at the Chicago Passport Agency, they will go to the intake window to have their appointment verified. Customers must present acceptable evidence of their U.S. citizenship such as: Certified Birth Certificate, Previous U.S. Passport or Naturalization Certificate.
- NOTE: Effective February 1, 2004, all persons who are not eligible to apply by mail, must appear in person to apply for a passport.
U.S. PASSPORT CARD APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1
U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for the new U.S. Passport Card beginning February 1, 2008 in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008.
The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards.
The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.
To facilitate the frequent travel of U.S. citizens living in border communities and to meet DHS’s operational needs at land borders, the passport card will contain a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. This chip will link the card to a stored record in secure government databases. There will be no personal information written to the RFID chip itself.
If you apply for both documents at the same time: Cost for first time applicants is $120 for adults and $95.00 for minors.
