Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Gary J. Cooney, Clerk

Frequently Asked Questions

Passports

• What are the requirements for a passport book and/or a passport card?
  
  1. Proof of Citizenship -- Certified birth certificate, Naturalization/Citizenship certificate, or expired U.S. passport. For more detailed requirements please visit the Department of State website at travel.state.gov.
  2. Photo -- A 2" x 2" photo with a white or off-white background. You may have your photo taken at all three Clerk's Office locations at a cost of $10.00.
  3. Identification -- Driver's License issued more than six months ago; Military identification card; or State identification cards with other valid forms of identification.
  4. Applicant must appear in person.
      
• What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
  

  A passport book can be used to travel anywhere by any means. A passport card can only be used to travel in the Western Hemisphere by land or sea.

• What are the fees for a passport book and a passport card?
  

  For a complete list of passport fees, please refer to the chart located here.

• Where can I apply for a passport in Lake County?
  

  Your passport application can be processed at the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office located in the Lake County Courthouse, at the South Lake Branch Office located in Clermont, or at the North Lake Branch Office located in The Villages.

  For office hours and locations, please click here.

• Are vending machine photos or published pictures acceptable for passports?
  

  No. Proper photos may be taken at any of the three Clerk's office locations.

• How long does it take to get a passport?
  

  Processing times vary. For the most current estimates, please visit the passports page of the U.S. Department of State website by clicking here.

• How can I expedite my passport?
  

  For an additional fee to the U.S. Department of State, you may expedite the processing of your passport application. For a complete list of passport fees, please refer to the chart located here. Processing times vary. For the most current estimates, please visit the passports page of the U.S. Department of State website by clicking here.

• May I go directly to the regional passport agency in Miami?
  

  The Miami Passport Agency no longer accepts walk-in applicants for service. All customers traveling within 14 calendar days must make an appointment with the Miami Passport Agency by calling their automated telephone system at (877) 487-2778.

• I had a passport before, but it has expired. Can I simply renew it?
  

  Review the Department of State’s renewal guidelines here to determine if you are eligible to renew by mail or if you must appear in person.

• Where can I obtain passport forms?
  

  All forms are available at any of our three office locations. You may also download forms from the U.S. Department of State website by clicking here.

  For new passport applications or renewal applications processed through the Clerk of Court, Form DS-11 is required. If you meet renewal criteria and will be mailing your application directly to the Department of State on your own, Form DS-82 is required. Review the Department of State’s renewal guidelines here to determine if you are eligible to renew by mail or if you must appear in person. Please note the Clerk of Court is not permitted to execute Form DS-82 mail-in renewal forms.

• But there is no official record of my birth. What can I do?
  

  You must submit a Letter of No record obtained from the Health Department's Bureau of Vital Statistics Office in the state of your birth and two forms of secondary birth evidence. Please call or visit our office for further details.

• What if I don't have a copy of my birth certificate?
  

  You may obtain a certified copy of your birth record by contacting the Health Department's Bureau of Vital Statistics Office in the state of your birth, or you may order them online at http://www.vitalchek.com or call (800)255-2414.

• What if I am a naturalized citizen?
  

  The original naturalization certificate must accompany the application for a passport. It will be returned by the passport agency.

• Do I have to personally come into the office to apply for a passport?
  

  You must appear in person for all new passport applications. For passport renewals, review the Department of State’s guidelines here to determine if you are eligible to renew by mail or if you must appear in person.

• Do I have to bring my child in with me for his or her passport?
  

  Yes, the child must be present with both parents and have a certified parental relationship document (e.g. birth certificate, adoption decree). Identification from both parents is also required. If one parent is unable to attend, the passport agency will accept a notarized, written consent from that parent along with a photo copy of the front and back of the non-appearing parent’s identification. The DS-3053 Statement of Consent form is available at any of our three office locations or on the Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov.

• What if my child and I have different last names?
  

  You and your child may have different last names, as long as the parental relationship document (e.g. birth certificate, adoption decree) lists your full name. If your name has changed from that on the parental relationship document, please bring a certified copy with proof of your legal name change (e.g. marriage certificate or court order), as it must be submitted to the U.S. Department of State with your child's application.

• What countries require a passport?
  

  All persons traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport book. On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government implemented the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the countries of the Caribbean to have a passport book or passport card. Information for specific destinations can be found at travel.state.gov/destination.

• I am not a U.S. citizen. How can I obtain a passport?
  

  Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain passports.

• Is there some kind of waiver if I'm leaving and my passport has not been received?
  

  No.

• My passport has been lost, stolen or mutilated. What must I do?
  

  You must complete a new passport application [form DS-11] with new pictures, birth certificate, and a statement regarding the lost or stolen passport [form DS-64]. The forms are available in this office or on the Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov.

 

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