Clerk of Courts
Passport Processing

INTERNET ADDRESS: HTTP://TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

By the authority of the President of the United States, the Secretary of State has designated various categories of persons who are authorized to accept passport applications. One of those categories is the Clerk of the State Court of Record and pursuant to that authority, the Clerk of Courts in Guernsey County is accepting passport applications as a service to the public.

This information will answer the most common questions regarding passport applications and will provide information regarding the passport application service offered by the Guernsey County Clerk of Courts.

What are your hours and Do I need an appointment?
The Clerk of Courts never requires an appointment for any of its services. We provide passport services Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at 801 Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725

Do Children need passports?
All Persons including newborns are required to obtain passports in their own names. All minors must appear in person with both parents and legal guardians to execute the passport application.

Effective February 1, 2008, children under age 16 require BOTH parents’ signatures.  (As provided by public law 106-113, sect. 236)

For more information visit: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/under-16.html

Must I apply in person?
You must always apply in person. Applicants, 16 yrs. of age and older must sign in person.

All Children under the age of 16 years of age must be present.

Who may apply for a passport by mail?
You may apply for a renewal passport by mail if:

  • You already have a passport.
  • Your most recent passport was issued within the past 15 years.
  • You were 16 years of age or older at the time it was issued.

If your passport has been mutilated or violated in any manner you may not apply by mail.

What documents should I bring?

  • A passport application must be accompanied by four items:
  • Proof of U. S. citizenship.
  • Proof of identity.
  • Two photographs.
  • Required fees.
  • Proof of U. S. Citizenship

Submit a previous U.S. passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate. Children under 16 require both. If no birth certificate was issued, secondary evidence may be submitted for consideration.

*Secondary records, which should have been created as close to the applicant’s date of birth as possible, should contain information pertaining to the applicant’s date and place of birth, may include baptismal certificates, circumcision or other religious records, hospital birth records, early census records, school, insurance records, family bible records, personal diaries, ship’s logs or newspaper files regarding the birth. Affidavits completed by a parent or older blood relative or physician, nurse, or midwife who attended the birth may also be submitted for consideration.

When using secondary evidence, a notice from the registrar of vital statistics, where birth occurred, must be obtained stating that no birth record is on file.

Proof of identity:  (Submit one of the following)

  1.  A previous U. S. Passport.
  2.  A valid driver’s license.
  3.  A valid Military I.D. card.
  4.  A valid State I.D. card.

Photographs:  Two photographs are required which must have been taken within the last six months. They must be identical, 2”X 2”, and must be color. The photographs must be full frontal or whole face view without any part of head or hair cut off. No dark glasses or hats may be worn. Photos must have a white or off-white background.  (Vending machine photos are not acceptable.)

Where can I get a passport photo?
The Clerk of Courts works hard to provide a convenience to the residents of Guernsey County and offers photos to provide a one-stop shop, the cost is $15.00.  However,  there are other locations that offer them as well such as, some photography studios, AAA, (Triple A-Auto Club) and some department or pharmacy stores .

WHAT ARE THE PASSPORT FEES?

Passport Fees can be found at the US Department of State website:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html

HOW CAN I PAY THE FEE?
The Passport Application Fees MUST BE PAID BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER payable to the U.S. Dept. of State

The Execution Fees and Passport Photo Charges can be by cash, credit card, (Visa or MasterCard) debit card or check or money order payable to the Clerk of Courts.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A PASSPORT?
Please see the website above for updated information as it changes frequently.

WHAT IF I NEED A PASSPORT IN A HURRY?
If you are leaving on an emergency trip in less than two weeks, apply in person to the nearest passport agency and present your completed passport application with all necessary paperwork.

You may also apply at the Clerk of Courts Office for an expedited passport. An expedited passport is guaranteed by the U.S. Passport Agency based on the timelines provided at the US Department of State Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

CHANGE OF NAME:
In most cases this is the name shown on the evidence of citizenship, or in the case of a married woman, the husband’s surname which may have been assumed at the time of marriage. A woman may not apply for a passport using a name she expects to acquire by a future marriage. The passport however may be amended after the marriage in the married name.

If the applicant’s name has been changed other than by marriage, such as being incorrectly recorded or not recorded at birth, the change of a given name during childhood, nicknames, a “professional or religious” name, exclusive use of a maiden or previous married surname, the use of a stepfather’s surname by minors will require additional documentation to support the name presently used. Consult with the Clerk of Courts Office to discuss any particular circumstances where there is a change of name.

CONCLUSION:
The above information is intended to answer only the most frequently asked questions which we receive. If you need additional or more detailed information, we will be happy to explain any of these procedures to you by calling the Guernsey County Clerk of Courts Office.