The Circuit Clerk’s Office accepts applications for passports and processes
them through a Chicago passport agency. Forms to apply for a passport
are available at the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
PLEASE NOTE: All persons must appear in person to apply for a passport. This includes all minor children under 14 who, previously were not required to appear.
Requirements and fees for passport - Adult Passport (18 & over)
- A certified copy of your birth certificate with RAISED SEAL from the county in which you were born. Certified birth registrations are only accepted when they include both “filed” and “issued” dates. Hospital certificates ARE NOT accepted. If you were not born in the United States, your naturalization certificate will be needed. Both birth and naturalization certificates will be returned with your passport.
- 2 – 2X2 passport photos from a photographer. Photo booth and school photos ARE NOT accepted.
- Valid Driver’s License or State I.D. for identification purposes. If your Driver’s License is being held for a traffic violation you will need to obtain a State I.D. before your application will be processed.
- $75 in a check or money order made out to "Department of State" and $25 in cash for the application execution fee (passport will be received in 4 to 6 weeks)
- $149.85 in a check or money order made out to "Department of State" and $25 in cash for the application exectution fee (passport will be received in 2 to 3 weeks)
Adult Passport Renewals
If your passport has been expired 5 years or less, you can renew it by mail. The Circuit Clerk’s Office carries the form, but you must send it in the mail.
If your passport has been expired more than 5 years, you must fill out a new passport application. Instead of your certified birth certificate, your old passport (which will be returned) is needed, as well as new passport photos, & a valid I.D. The same fees apply as a first time passport.
Requirements and fees for Minor Passport (17 & under)
- A certified copy of the birth certificate with RAISED SEAL from the county in which the minor was born. Certified birth registrations are only accepted when they include both “filed” and “issued” dates. Hospital certificates ARE NOT accepted.
- If the minor has a previous passport, that must be submitted in addition to the birth certificate.
- If the minor is a naturalized citizen, the original Naturalization Certificate will be needed. If the minor was naturalized through the parents, both parents Naturalization Certificates will be needed.
- Both birth and naturalization certificates will be returned with the passport.
- 2 – 2X2 passport photos from a photographer. Photo booth and school pictures ARE NOT accepted.
- Valid Driver’s License or State I.D. from parent or guardian will be needed for identification purposes. If your Driver’s License is being held for a traffic violation, you will need to obtain a State I.D. before your application can be processed.
- Minors aged 14 and older must be present for the passport application to be processed.
- If the minor is 16 or 17 years of age, only one parent is required to be present at the time the application is processed.
- If minor is 13 and under, please see below for law regarding parent signatures:
- Both parent’s signatures will be required for passport for minors under the age of 13. If the second parent is not available to sign, you may provide one of the following:
- Evidence you have sole legal custody of the child (unless child’s travel is restricted by the order).
- Written consent from the other parent for the issuance of the passport.
- A written statement why non-applying parents consent cannot be obtained.
- The child’s certified birth certificate, report of birth abroad, or certified birth abroad listing ONLY the applying parent.
- Adoption Decree listing ONLY the applying parent.
- Court order specifically permitting applying parent’s or guardian’s travel with the child.
- Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent.
- Death certificate of non-applying parent.
- $60 in a check or money order made out to "Department of State" and $25 in cash for the application execution fee (for minors 15 and under - passport will be received in 4 to 6 weeks)
- $75 in a check or money order made out to "Department of State" and $25 in cash for the application execution fee (for minors 16 and over - passport will be received in 4 to 6 weeks)
- $134.85 in a check or money order made payable to "Department of State" and $25 in cash for the application execution fee (for minors 15 and under - passport will be received in 2 to 3 weeks)
- $149.85 in a check or money order made payable to "Department of State" and $25 in cash for the application execution fee (for minors 16 and over - passport will be received in 2 to 3 weeks)
NOTE: A third-party may appear to obtain a child’s passport if they provide a notarized written statement or affidavit from BOTH parents or custodial parent(s) authorizing the third-party to apply for the passport. When the notarized statement is only from one parent, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of authorizing parent.
