Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Post

Transcript

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Clerk's Corner. I'm Ashlyn Honeycutt, the public information specialist, and today we have our official records manager, Miss Candice Miller, and she's here to walk us through the passport application process. So welcome, Candace. Thank you so much for having me. Happy to have you. So, Candace, starting off, who can apply for a passport? The short answer is anyone since the Clerk of the Court. Is just an acceptance facility. We're able to accept any application as long as it meets the requirements. The Department of State is who's going to determine if the individual applying is able to hold a US passport or not and who can't apply for a passport. And when individuals come in to apply, what documentation do they need to bring with them? Absolutely. So again, we don't necessarily turn anyone away because we are only an acceptance facility. We do see that sometimes we have to reject applications when they're in front of us. For the simple fact that they may not meet the requirements to apply. So maybe they don't have their drivers license, they don't have certificate of naturalization or state issued ID photo. The applications may or may not be filled out correctly and that's really the only time anyone cannot apply with our office. And what are those two different passport applications called? Absolutely. So we have the DSL 11 which is what we consider a first time application or the DS 82 which is the renewal application. And where do you go to apply for a passport here in Citrus County? We have two locations for the clerk's office, one at our annex location and one at our Meadow Crest location. However, if the customer cannot make it to one of those two locations, the website for the passport agency is travel. state.gov and they have a great website where it tells you where you can and cannot apply within Citrus County, and it also gives you a relative timeline of the application process. And what cost and fees could an individual incur when applying for their passport? Right, That is a loaded question because the standard answer is $130.00 for a passport book for adults, $100 for a minor passport book, $30.00 for an adult passport card, $15.00 for an adult and minor passport card. There's additional fees that may accrue and that's where it gets a little bit tricky. So all the standard fees are required. There's also a $35 acceptance agent fee that is required, but additional fees that can accrue are additional expedited service fees for $60.00, an additional $19.53 from one to two day shipping of the passport back to the applicant, and additional copies or photo fees at each location where they apply. And do you have to apply for your passport in person? And if you do, do you have to have your picture taken? A photo is absolutely a requirement. Or either one of the applications. So the DS11, again, that first time application has to be in an office, It has to be sworn under oath by an acceptance agent. The DS 82, which is more of the renewal application that can be absolutely executed without coming into our office. But again, both require a photo. And as our office offer photo services, we do at this time we offer photo services at both of our locations. For $15 we're able to take your photo. We do offer free veteran photos, so if you are a veteran, we are more than happy and it's our pleasure to provide you a free passport photo. And how long before someone's trip should they be applying for their passport? The Department of State recommends that you apply within six months or before six months of travel. They do have current timelines posted on their website, whichagainistravel.state.gov, that they do recommend that you check there for the most up-to-date timeline for the application process. They do have routine service and expedited services, but because those timelines do change quite frequently. They recommend going to their website for the most up-to-date processing times. And how will individuals that applied for their passport, how will they get their passport in their original documentation back? It's gonna be mailed back to them using the address that's contained on their application. It will be mailed back in a pretty inconspicuous envelope, but it will be mailed there and they can again check that tracking on travel.state.gov to just make sure that it's received in a timely manner and received at the. The address provided, thank you so much for explaining the whole passport application process for us today. Candace, you are so welcome. And we will see you all next week for our next episode. Bye.