Passport

The City Clerk's Office is an authorized U. S. Passport Acceptance Facility. Passport application processing services are available Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. excluding holidays. Please call the office at (949) 461-3420 for assistance.

Requirements for Obtaining a Passport Book

If you are a first-time applicant or your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you must appear in person and complete a passport application (Form DS-11) using black ink. Do not sign the application until requested to do so. It is mandatory that applicants, under the age of 16, appear with both parents or 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.

You will need the following:

  1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship in the form of one of the following:
    1. Previous U.S. Passport
    2. Certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate
    3. Certificate of Naturalization

      Photocopies of these documents are not acceptable. Applicants under 16 years of age, using a previous passport or Certificate of Citizenship must also provide the certified birth certificate to prove parental relationship.

      Certified birth certificates may be obtained through the South County Branch Office of the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's office located in Laguna Hills. For more information, visit the Orange County Recorder's website.

      Special notice - California birth abstracts are no longer acceptable - passport applicants born in California must submit long-form photoreproduction certified copies of birth records.
  2. One Passport Photo
    Photo must be in color, 2-inch by 2-inch in size with a white or off-white background, taken within the last six months. Photograph should be taken in normal street attire—uniforms, or clothing that looks like a uniform, cannot be worn in the photo. The City provides passport photo services at $10.00 per applicant.
  3. Picture Identification in the form of one of the following:
    1. Valid driver's license
    2. California ID card
    3. Military ID card
    4. Naturalization Certificate issued within the last year

Passport Fees

Age Passport Fee Execution Fee Total
16 and over $110.00 $35.00 $145.00
15 and under $80.00 $35.00 $115.00

The passport fee must be in the form of a personal check or money order (a check or money order is required for each application being submitted) made payable to the U.S. Department of State. It is collected separately from the execution fee. The execution fee can be in the form of cash, money order or check payable to the City of Lake Forest (no credit or debit cards are accepted at this time).

Processing time is approximately 6 weeks for routine processing and approximately 2 to 3 weeks for expedited processing. For expedited service, add an additional $60.00 to the passport fee.

Renewal Information

If you are renewing a passport that was issued less than 15 years ago, and you were at least 16 years of age at the time the passport was issued, you may renew by mail. Use Form DS-82 and follow the instructions. If you do not meet these qualifications, you will need to complete a first-time passport application, Form DS-11, apply in person and present the required documentation.

For further passport and travel information; or to download passport forms, please visit the Department of State.