Passport Applications and Photos

The Franklin County Recorder's Office is a passport acceptance agent. As passport agents, we can assist you in completing and mailing applications for passports. This offers a convenient way to take care of the passport needs of Franklin County citizens.

Passports are currently required for all international travel except for sea and land travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central & South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Passport requirments for all travel to these areas will go into effect June 2009.  Applications can be submitted at the Recorder's Office. Certified copies of Franklin County births are also available in our office.

In order to process a passport application, you will need to:

• Complete a passport application, which is available online at the U.S. Department of State Passport website or from the Franklin County Recorder's Office. Black ink is required when filling out the passport application.

• Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate, which is available from the county/state in which you were born. The Franklin County Recorder will be able to issue a certified copy if needed, as long as the person was born in Franklin County after 1942 and his/her parents were married at the time of birth.

• Obtain two (2) 2"x2" passport photos. Photos may be taken at the Recorder's Office. Fee payable at that time is $10.

• Show a current photo ID, such as a drivers license or other government issued ID.

Fees must be paid in two (2) checks.

1. Payable to Franklin County Recorder:
    $25.00 (plus $10 if passport photo taken)
    
2. Payable to US Department of State:
   $75.00 for applicants 16 years and older OR
   $60.00 for applicants under age 16

Checks for minors under age 18 must be in the name of the parent/guardian. The passport fees paid at the time of application are non-refundable processing fees.

Children under the age of 16 years olf must have both parents' consent to obtain a passport. Important: All minors must appear in person when applying for a passport.

Both parents or child's legal guardian must:

1. Present evidence of child's U.S. citizenship and
2. Present evidence that they are the parents or guardian and
3. Show vailid personal identification and
4. Sign and take oath before an authorized passport acceptance agent.

If the second parent is not available to sign, the appearing parent must:

1. Do the above and
2. Present evidence of

• sole legal custody of the child or
• notarized written consent of the other parent for the issuance of the passport or
• written statement explaining why non-applying parent's consent cannot be obtained.

If no parent is available to sign, the third-party in loco parentis must:

• Appear with a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or custodial parent(s) authorizing the third-party to apply for passport. When the statement of affidavit is from only one parent, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent.

The law requires that all applications be signed under oath under penalty of perjury.

The most efficient way to apply for a child under age 16 is to present the required documentation and

• For both parents to appear at the time of application, or
• If only one parent can apply, for the applying parent/guardian to present the additional documentation required at the time of application.