Passport Services

Dear Neighbor,

The Nassau County Clerk’s Office is designated as an official U.S. Passport Acceptance Center by the United States Department of State. Anyone traveling outside the U.S., including children and infants, is required to have a passport. At the County Clerk’s office, we accept and process passport applications daily until 3 p.m. We have applications available for your convenience and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
In February 2008, several changes were made to the U.S. Passport Application process to expedite customs procedures for land and sea ports-of-entry, improve border security, and increase the security of minors traveling abroad. This guide is designed to better acquaint you with the U.S. Passport Application process and the changes it has undergone.
Should you have any further inquiries, the County Clerk’s Office is glad to be of assistance. Safe travels!

Sincerely,

Changes to Passport Regulations

As of January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS TRAVELING BY AIR anywhere outside the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.
Effective February 1, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens are able to present a WHTI-compliant (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) document such as a U.S. Passport Card. This wallet-sized card will only be valid for LAND AND SEA travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.travel.state.gov.

New Passport Fees

Payment of Passport Fees should be made to the “U.S. Department of State.” Execution Fees should be payable to the “Nassau County Clerk” by money order or cash. These fees and the surcharge are non-refundable. The $25.00 Execution Fee is not charged when adults age sixteen and over with fully valid passport books apply for the passport card using the DS-82 form.

Applying for a Passport for the First Time

To apply for a passport for the first time, apply in person at the County Clerk’s Office. A passport application must be accompanied by:

1. Proof of Citizenship — Acceptable documents include:

• A previous passport
• An original or certified copy of a birth certificate
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Naturalization Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship
  

2. Proof of Identity — The only valid forms are:

• A previous passport
• A valid Driver’s License
• Recently issued Naturalization Certificate
• Recently issued Government Identification card
  

3. Two Identical Photos — Photos must be:

• 2 x 2 inches in size
• In color
• Taken within the past six months and showing current appearance
• Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
• Taken in normal street attire: No uniforms except religious attire worn daily, no hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline, no dark or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses unless necessary for medical reasons (medical certificate may be required). Prescription glasses, hearing devices, wigs or similar articles, if worn normally, should be worn for the picture.
  

4. Applicable Fee

 

Renewing Your Passport

You may renew your passport by mail if you:

• Already have a passport that is not damaged
• Received it within the past fifteen years
• Were at least sixteen years of age when it was issued
• Still have the same name in the passport (you may also legally document your name change)

Passport Renewal Forms are obtainable from the Clerk’s Office or online at www.travel.state.gov.

New Underage Passport Requirements

As provided by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 22, Section 51.28, and effective February 1, 2008, children under the age of 16 require both parents’ consent to receive a passport. All minors must appear in person when applying for a passport. For a complete list of special requirements for children under the age of sixteen, visit www.travel.state.gov.

Expedited Passports

Passport processing takes up to six weeks. If you need a passport sooner, you may pay a $60.00 fee for an expedited service that will deliver your passport in two to three weeks.
If your travel requires a passport sooner than two weeks, you must apply in person at a Passport Agency. To apply in person at a Passport Agency, call to schedule an appointment first. The New York Passport Agency Appointment phone number is 1-877-487-2778. This is an automated appointment system. Complete the process in its entirety to ensure that an appointment is confirmed. Expedited service is currently not available for the Passport Card. An application for a passport book and a passport card may be expedited, but the $60 fee will only serve to expedite the book at this time.