Passport Requirements

All staff members of the Franklin County Recorder's Office are certified Passport Acceptance Agents, ready to assist with your passport needs.

US Citizens must present a valid passport book when re-entering the United States by air.  US Citizens re-entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book or passport card.

Exceptions to the passport requirements are US Citizen children under age 16, or those under age 19 traveling with an organized group, arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory, may present a certified birth certificate rather than a passport.  For further explanation, contact the Franklin County Recorder's Office at 641-456-5765 or visit www.travel.state.gov.

To apply for a passport book or card:

• Complete but don't sign, a passport application, which is available online at the U.S. Department of State Passport website or from the Franklin County Recorder's Office. Applications MUST be signed in person at the Recorder's Office.  Black ink is required when filling out the passport application.

• Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate from the county/state in which you were born. The Franklin County Recorder can issue a certified copy to those born in Franklin County after 1942 and whose parents were married at the time of Franklin County birth.

• Obtain two (2) 2"x2" passport photos. Photos may be taken at the Recorder's Office for a fee of $10.00.

• Show a current photo ID, such as a drivers license or other government issued ID when signing the application at the Recorder's Office.

• Children between the ages 16 and 18 must have written consent from a parent to obtain a passport.

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:
   Passport Book - $110.00 OR Passport Card - $30.00 for applicants 16 years and older
   Passport Book - $80.00 OR Passport Card - $15.00 for applicants 15 years and younger

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 must have both parents' written 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
• notarized 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 with photo IDs 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.