Planning to Travel Outside of the United States?
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A passport is an internationally recognized travel document attesting to the identity and nationality of the bearer. In essence, it is a request on the part of the issuing government that officials of foreign governments permit the bearer to travel or sojourn in their territories and to afford them all lawful aid and protection.
To apply for a new passport you must personally come into the Lafayette County Court House. The Passport office closes at 4:30pm. Please arrive by 4pm to allow processing time. 120 Main Street, Mayo, Florida 32066
Click here to download Passport forms.
You will need a photo identification, preferably a valid drivers license or government identification card.
You must be an American citizen and have evidence of citizenship with you. The evidence of citizenship consists of a certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county, or state health department where you were born. It must bear the seal of the issuing office, the signature of the registrar and the date the record was filed. A hospital birth registration or notarized copy of your birth certificate is not acceptable. If you are a naturalized citizen, you must provide your original naturalization papers. A previously issued passport is acceptable as evidence of American citizenship in lieu of a birth certificate or naturalization papers. These documents will accompany your passport application to Federal Passport Services and will be returned to you with your passport. If you do not have a birth record please contact the Clerk’s Passport Division for further information.
A photograph that was taken within the last six months must be submitted with the application. Photograph must be in color.
Photograph must provide a clear likeness of the applicant and be two inches by two inches in overall size. Photograph is to be a frontal view of the applicant without dark glasses or a hat. Background should be white or off-white. Photos made by an automatic booth type camera are not acceptable.
Application fee is $130.00 for adults 16 and over, $100.00 for minors under 16 and is payable to US Dept of State with a check or money order. There is a $35.00 Clerk fee for each passport which is paid separately from the passport fee and may be paid with cash, cashier’s check or money order.
New passports are valid for 10 years from the date of issue for adults and 5 years from the issue date for minors.
Who is Eligible for No Fee Passports?
Certain applications may be accepted for processing at no charge based on the following criteria:
- If the applicant is a member of the armed forces who is traveling abroad on government business or a dependent of a member of the armed forces traveling abroad on government business, they are eligible. The branch of the armed forces that the applicant is a member of, will provide the applicant with a certificate of eligibility.
- If the applicant is an employee of the American Red Cross traveling abroad on Red Cross business or dependent of a member of the American Red Cross traveling abroad on government business, they are eligible.
- If the applicant is a United Seamans Service employee, they are eligible.
- An applicant who is a relative of a member of the armed forces who is being buried outside of the United States is also eligible.
If you are eligible, you must bring a certificate of eligibility with you when you apply.
Expedited Passport and Hand Carried Processing
Passport Services assures processing within three business days from receipt of complete applications by Passport Agencies for applications that require expedited handling. This assurance does not include mail delivery time, two way overnight mail is strongly recommended. The turnaround time for expedited passports is approximately seven to ten business days upon receipt at the Passport Agency.
In addition to the application fee, a charge of $60.00 is to be paid for the expedite service.
Passport Renewal Requirements
Passport renewal forms are available at Lafayette County Court House, 120 Main Street, Mayo, Florida 32066. or http://www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
The Clerk’s office does not execute renewal applications.
You must apply for a passport renewal by mail, the fee is $110.00. You may expedite your renewal by including the $60.00 expedite fee in your check. Passport Services will accept personal checks, please do not send cash. Make your check out to: US Dept. of State.
To be eligible for a passport renewal by mail, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your most recent passport must have been issued to you no more than 15 years ago and you must submit that passport with your application.
- You were at least 16 years old when your most recent passport was issued. Minors under age 16 are not eligible to renew their passports by mail and must follow the instructions for first time applicants.
- Your name has not changed since your most recent passport was issued or your name was changed by marriage or court order. You must submit documentation with your renewal application evidencing the name change.
- A photograph that was taken within the last six months must be submitted with the application. Photograph must be in color. The photograph must provide a clear likeness of the applicant and be two inches in overall size. The photograph is to be a frontal view of the applicant without dark glasses or a hat. The background should be white or off-white. Photos made by an automatic booth type camera are not acceptable.
- Processing times can vary depending on workload and occasional unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. During busier times, such as the spring/summer travel season, we encourage customers to expedite their applications if traveling in less than 8 weeks.
Traveling within 10 days of application
In situation where the applicant is departing the United State immediately and there is not enough time for normal or expedited processing, the applicant may contact the Miami Passport Agency to make an appointment. It is an automated appointment system and the applicant should contact the Clerk’s Office for instructions as to what is required.
Miami Passport Agency
The Miami Passport Services Agency is located at:
OMNI Center
1501 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 210
Miami Fl. 33132
1-877-487-2778