Passport Services - Frequently Asked Questions

The County of San Diego is alerting travelers who plan to travel internationally or who want to cross the Mexican border after June 1 to have a passport book, passport card or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

On June 1, the second phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect, and travelers are required to have these documents to be able to re-enter the U.S. when returning from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea ports-of-entry. The first phase of this initiative, which went into effect in 2007, required passports for re-entering the U.S. by air in those locations.

“Without the proper travel document, travelers will be denied entry into the U.S. Proper planning can help ensure that this doesn’t happen to you,” said Thomas Pastuszka, County Clerk of the Board. “It’s better to have peace of mind and the proper documents so you can travel without worry. It can take a few weeks to get your passport, that’s why it’s a good idea to apply in advance of the June 1 deadline.”

The passport card is different from a passport book because it was designed to meet the requirements of the land and sea phase of the WHTI. The passport card is valid in border communities where crossing the border is a daily occurrence. The passport card is not valid for international air travel. The passport card may only be used at U.S. and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. You will need a passport book for international air travel.

The County of San Diego encourages travelers to apply for a passport book or passport card at the County Administration Center at 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402 in San Diego (Google Map).  Normally, it can take up to six weeks to receive your passport; however for an additional fee you can receive it within two to three weeks if you need to travel. At the County, there are no lines, no hassles and free two-hour parking!  No appointment is necessary. First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.  Service is offered from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

No.  Passport acceptance service is offered on a walk-in basis between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

You may apply by mail if you meet ALL these conditions:

1. The issue date of your last passport was less than 15 years ago;
   
2. You were 16 or older when it was issued;
   
3. Your name is the same, or you can submit name-change documentation (marriage certificate or court order);
4. You can submit your most recent passport;
5. It is undamaged.

If you answered YES to ALL FIVE of the questions above, follow the instructions on the back of Form DS-82, Application for Passport by Mail.

If you answered NO to ANY ONE OF THE FIVE questions, STOP.  You cannot use Form DS-82.  You must apply on Application Form DSP-11 DS-11: Application for Passport and SUBMIT YOUR FORM IN PERSON.

• For A Regular Passport, use DS-11: Application for Passport
• The form must be presented and Signed In Front of an Acceptance Agent.
• You must use this form IF one of the following applies:
  1. You have never had a U.S. passport,
     
  2. You are under age 16;
     
  3. Your most recent passport was lost or stolen.
     
  4. Your most recent passport is more than 15 years old.
• If you are applying because your passport was lost or stolen, you will also need to submit Form DS-64
• Please follow the instructions on the second page of the application.
• The passport application forms are double-sided. Although the second page requires no data from the applicant, it contains important information, official legal statements, and is a required part of the application form. Read the form before completing.
• For A Passport By Mail, use DS-82: Application for Passport.  (See first FAQ.)

The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors now offers passport photo services.  Passport photos are $10 for two color photos.  No appointment is necessary!

The fees for a 10-year passport (age 16 or older) are:

• $75 passport fee payable to U.S. Department of State
• $25 execution fee payable to County of San Diego
• $100 total

The fees for a five-year passport (under 16 only) are:

• $60 passport fee payable to U.S. Department of State
• $25 execution fee payable to County of San Diego
• $85 total

A 10-year passport card (age 16 or older) costs:

• $20 passport fee payable to U.S. Department of State
• $25 execution fee payable to County of San Diego
• $45 total

A five-year passport card (under 16 only) costs:

• $10 passport fee payable to U.S. Department of State
• $25 execution fee payable to County of San Diego
• $35 total

The execution fee must be paid separately from the passport fee. We accept personal checks, certified checks, cashiers’ checks, traveler’s checks, and money orders.  

Our office now offers money orders at $1.30 each!

Passports are usually received within 5 – 6 weeks of submitting the application.  If you will need visas from foreign embassies, allow more time.  

If you must have your passport in less than 25 business days, an Expedite Process is available.  The Expedite Fee is $60, payable to U.S. Department of State.  Two-way overnight mail ($17.50, each way) is strongly recommended.  Using Expedite Service and overnight mail, you should receive your passport within three weeks.

Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 requires that passport applicants provide this information.  Passport Services gives this information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) routinely.  An applicant who fails to provide the information is subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the IRS.  If you have questions, call the nearest IRS office.

To find out the status of a pending application, call:
1-877-487-2778;
TDD Users: 1-888-874-7793

NPIC is a toll-free service.  Customer service representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.  Automated information is available 24/7.

Effective March 8, 2005, Passport Services will no longer accept amendments to U.S. passports.  To request a name change, a correction to the descriptive data printed on the passport, or an extension of the validity of a limited passport, submit form DS-5504, U.S. Passport Re-Application Form, along with the passport that needs the change.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), Public Law 106-395, applies to certain foreign-born children.  If eligible under this new law, these children will automatically acquire U.S. citizenship, provided they meet certain conditions.  Please visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/family/family_865.html for more information.

The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services has a national customer service center.  For information on immigration matters, call 1-800-375-5283, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. or visit www.bcis.gov.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs, US State Department, maintains a web site with information on various topics that may interest you. Please visit http://travel.state.gov/ for more information.