APPLY FOR A U.S. PASSPORT AT THE CAPE MAY COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE

First time Applicants, including minors, must appear in person at the County Clerk's Office with the documents listed below.  

U.S. Passport Applications for children under age 16 require both parents' signatures as provided by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 22, section 51-28.

REQUIREMENTS

PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP
Any one of the following records will constitute as proof of U.S. Citizenship:

Previous U.S. Passport

Certified birth certificate issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics which bears a raised/embossed or multicolored seal (hospital and church records are not acceptable.

Certificate of Naturalization

IDENTIFICATION
Valid driver's license, pilot's license or permanent I.D. issued by a U.S. government agency.

Any applicant without acceptable I.D. must appear with an identifying witness.  The identifying witness must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who has known the applicant at least two years and has acceptable I.D.  also, the Applicant will need some secondary I.D. 

PHOTOGRAPHS
Submit two identical 2" X 2" photographs with an image size of between one and 1 3/8" from chin to the top of the head, including hair.  Photographs must be clear, front view, full face printed with a plain light (white or off white) background.  Passport photos should be taken by a professional photographer.

NEW PASSPORT CARD
Since February 1, 2008 customers have had the option to apply for a Passport Book, a Passport Card or both.  The Passport Card may only be used for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.  The Passport Card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative for those who travel to these destinations.  


FEES* Effective July 13, 2010
APPLICANTS AGE 16 AND OVER
Passport Book -  fee of $110.00 must be paid by check or money order payable to "US Department of State" - no cash.  This fee must be paid in a separate check or money order for each applicant.

Passport Card - fee of $30.00 must be paid by check or money order payable to "US Department of State" - no cash.  This fee must be paid in a separate
check or money order for each applicant. 

Applicants may apply for a Passport Book and Passport Card at the same time for a fee of $140.00 check or money order payable to "US Department of State" - no cash.

One execution fee of $25.00 for each applicant for Passport Book, Passport Card or both may be paid in cash or a separate check from the passport fee payable to "The Clerk of Cape May County."

If paying by VISA or MASTERCARD the total fee per applicant for a Passport Book is $135.00, a Passport Card is $55.00, both is $165.00. 

Passport Book and Passport Card valid for 10 years.

APPLICANTS AGE 15 AND UNDER
Passport Book -  fee of $80.00 must be paid by check or money order payable to "US Department of State" - no cash.  This fee must be paid in a separate check or money order for each applicant.

Passport Card - fee of $15.00 must be paid by check or money order payable to "US Department of State" - no cash.  This fee must be paid in a separate
check or money order for each applicant. 

Applicants may apply for a Passport Book and Passport Card at the same time for a fee of $95.00 check or money order payable to "US Department of State" - no cash.

One execution fee of $25.00 for each applicant for Passport Book, Passport Card or both may be paid in cash or a separate check from the passport fee payable to "The Clerk of Cape May County."

If paying by VISA or MASTERCARD the total fee per applicant for a Passport Book is $105.00, a Passport Card is $40.00, both is $120.00. 

Passport Book and Passport Card for age 15 and Under is valid for 5 years.

Expedited services are available if needed.  Contact the County Clerk's Office at 609-465-1010 for information and fees.

Please note:  Combined Passport fees for a single applicant or family may be paid by VISA or MASTERCARD in person at the Cape May County Clerk's Office. 

U.S. PASSPORT APPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN UNDER AGE 16 REQUIRE BOTH PARENTS' SIGNATURES

Both parents or child's legal guardian must
Present evidence of child's U.S. citizenship and
Present evidence that they are the parents or guardian and
Show valid personal identification and
Sign and take oath before an authorized passport acceptance agent

If the second parent is not available to sign, the appearing parent must:
Do the above and
Present evidence that he/she has:
Sole legal custody of the child or
Notarized written consent of the other parent for the issuance of the passport or
Written statement explaining why non-applying parent's consent cannot be obtained.

If no parent is available to sign, the third-party in loco parentis must:
Appear with a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or custodial parent(s) authorizing the third-party to apply for passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent.

The law requires that all applications be signed under oath under penalty of perjury.

The most efficient way to apply for a child under age 16 is to present the required documentation and
For both parents to appear at the time of application, or
If only one parent can apply, for the applying parent/guardian to present the additional documentation required at the time of application.