PASSPORTS

PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY

The City of Lake Forest is a designated Passport Acceptance Facility and is authorized to accept new passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Our office will forward your application and supporting documents to the U.S. Department of State, where your passport will be processed. 

Applications are processed by appointment only on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We strongly encourage those who want to use expedited services to make a morning appointment. Recorded information is available at (949) 461-3537.

   BOOK APPOINTMENT  

If you are a first-time applicant or your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you must appear in person. You can find passport acceptance facilities on the travel.state.gov website. If you have a passport that was issued less than 15 years ago and you were at least 16 years old when it was issued, you may be able to submit a self-service renewal. Please see the Passport Renewals section for details.

It is mandatory that applicants, under the age of 16, appear with both parents/legal guardians. If one parent is absent, the applying parent must present a notarized consent document, or court document proving sole custody, or a death certificate. 

Applicants 16 to 17 years old can apply on their own if they have a valid government-issued identification such as a Driver’s License or Identification Card, however, it is recommended at least one parent accompany the applicant for parental awareness.

Take these six items with you to your appointment:

1. In black ink, a completed, UNSIGNED application.
   • Passport Application DS-11
      
2. Evidence of U.S. citizenship - Must present original document and front and back photocopy of ONE of the following:
   • Previous U.S. Passport
   • Certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate
   • Certificate of Naturalization
      
3. Identification - Must present original document and front and back photocopy of ONE of the following:
   • Current, valid driver’s license 
   • Government ID: city, state, or federal
   • Military ID: military and dependents
      
4. Photo - Photos are not offered at this facility
   • Take one (1) color passport photo, 2" x 2" in size, taken within the past six (6) months
      
5. Check for an Application Fee made payable to the U.S. Department of State (see Passport Fees for details)
    
6. Payment for an Acceptance Fee made payable to the City of Lake Forest (see Passport Fees for details) 

Passport Fees

Please bring two payments for each applicant to your appointment. Please see fees and payment types accepted:

Payment #1 

Passport Fees are payable to the U.S. Department of State by check or money order only.

Please visit the U.S. Department of State website to calculate passport fees.

Payment #2  

Acceptance Facility Fees are payable to the City of Lake Forest by check, money order, or cash.

Passport Renewals

This office does not handle passport renewal applications; you must submit them directly to the U.S. Department of State.

Most renewals can be done by mail. If you have a passport that was issued less than 15 years ago and you were at least 16 years old when it was issued, you may be able to submit a self-service renewal. Please visit the U.S. Department of State - Passports by Mail page to see if you qualify to use the service.