Passports

The Broome County Clerk’s Office is a full-service Passport Acceptance Agency for the U.S. Department of State.

We process NEW applications for Passport Books and Passport Cards and we take Passport photos ($10.00) for your convenience.

What’s the Difference Between a Passport Book & A Passport Card?

  • U.S. Passport Books can be used for international travel by air, sea, or land.
  • Passport Cards can only be used for entering the United States at land border crossings and seaports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean and Bermuda.
    • Passport cards can NOT be used for international air travel.

Does the Broome County Clerk’s Office Process Passport Renewals?

We can take your new Passport photo for $10, but Passport Renewals are simply processed by mail if:

  • You have your Passport in your possession;
  • Your Passport’s undamaged other than normal wear and tear;
  • Your Passport was issued when you were age 16 or older;
  • Your passport was issued within the last 15 years; and
  • Your passport was issued in your current name or you can document your name change.

In most cases, the Department of State will return your old, canceled Passport to you. The old Passport may be sent separately from your new Passport. When you receive your new Passport, the number on the document will be different from the number on your previous Passport.

 

Do I Need an Appointment to Process New My Passport Application?

No. Appointments aren’t necessary, however since the Passport application process is time-consuming, we only process Passports between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday.

 

What Documents Do I Need to Bring?

Complete the DS-11 U.S. Passport Application Form:

  • This form must be printed in BLACK ink and must be signed in the presence of a Passport Acceptance Agent.
  • If you make a mistake while completing the DS-11, use a single line to cross out the error and then make the needed correction. If several corrections are required, please start over with a new form.

Proof of Citizenship:

  • If born in the United States, you'll need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate with a raised or embossed seal. If you do not have an original birth certificate, contact the City, Town, or Village Clerk in which you were born or the agency that handles vital records in the State in which you were born.
    • See broomecountyny.gov/clerk/vital for more information.
      • Hospital records alone are not acceptable as proof of citizenship and we CANNOT accept them.
  • If born outside the United States, you'll need a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Report of Birth Abroad.
  • Expired, undamaged U.S. Passport Books or Passport Cards are acceptable as well.

Proof of Identity:

  • Current Driver’s License;
  • Valid government-issued Photo ID / Military ID
  • For a full list of acceptable primary and secondary Photo ID, please visit:

www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/identification.html

Two Identical 2 x 2 Color Passport Photos:

  • The Broome County Clerk’s Office can take your Passport photos for a $10 fee.
    • Glasses, uniforms, camouflage, and hats are prohibited in Passport photos.
      • Hats and head coverings are only permitted if you submit a signed statement verifying that your hat or head covering is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that’s customarily worn continuously in public or if you provide a signed doctor's statement verifying the item is used daily for medical purposes.
      • Wearing a darker-colored shirt will help the image come out better, due to the background being white. Lighter-colored or white shirts tend to blend in and may cause the image to be rejected.

Fees:

  • You will need a check or money order made payable to the U.S. Department of State.
    • DOS does not accept credit card payments.
  • The County Clerk’s Execution Fee and the Passport Photo can be paid by cash, check, money order or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express).
    • Check made payable to the Broome County Clerk.

Passport Photo

Type of Fee Amount Payable To:
Execution Fee $35 Broome County Clerk
Passport Photo $10 Broome County Clerk
Passport Book (Adult -16 and older) $130 U.S. Department of State
Passport Book (Minor – Under 16) $100 U.S. Department of State
Passport Card (Adult – 16 and older) $30 U.S. Department of State
Passport Card (Minor – Under 16) $15 U.S. Department of State
Expedite Fee (Optional) $60 U.S. Department of State
Overnight Delivery Service Fee (Optional) $30.45 Broome County Clerk
Overnight Return Fee (Optional) $21.36 U.S. Department of State

** If you are requesting an Expedited Passport, the follow fees are automatically added:
1. Expedite Fee ($60 to Department of State)
2. Overnight return fee ($21.36 to Department of State)
3. Overnight delivery service fee ($30.45 to Broome County Clerk)

How Long Will It Take for My Passport to Arrive in the Mail?

The Broome County Clerk’s Office will mail your application to the U.S. Department of State’s Regional Passport Agency within 24 hours, or sooner if you request expedited service.

The Department of State’s current processing times are:

  • Routine Service: 8-11 weeks.
  • Expedited Service: 5-7 weeks.

In addition to processing time, customers should expect 6 additional weeks for mailing on the front and back end. As such, customers should expect routine processing to take up to 18 weeks and expedited service to take up to 12 weeks.

You can check the status of your application online at https://passportstatus.state.gov.

  • Note: It may take up to 4 weeks from the day you applied until your application status is “In Process.” If your Passport status update says “Not Available,” your application and supporting documents are safely on their way to the U.S. Department of State.

If you need your Passport in less than 18 weeks, you should pay the extra $60 expedited service fee.

 

I Have a Pending Application. Can I Upgrade It for Expedited Service?

Yes! If you applied and have not received your Passport, you can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to request expedited service, reducing the wait time to 4 to 6 weeks. The fee for expedited service is $60.

 

What if I Have a Life or Death Emergency in a Foreign Country and Need a Passport?

Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Life-or-Death Emergency page to see if you’re eligible for an appointment at one of their Passport centers.

You can make an appointment online or by calling 1-877-487-2778.

 

What if We’re Applying for a Minor and Both Parents Can’t Appear in Person?

Visit www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html.

  • #7 explains what you should do if:
    • You have sole legal authority;
    • One parent is unable to appear;
    • You can’t locate the other parent; or
    • Neither parent can appear.

 

How Long Is a Passport Valid?

  • If you were age 16 or older when your Passport was issued, your Passport is valid for 10 years.
  • If you were under 16 when your Passport was issued, your Passport is valid for 5 years.

The issue date of your Passport can be found on the data page of your Passport Book or on the front of your Passport Card.

 

My Passport’s Expired. Can I Still Renew?

If your Passport expired less than 5 years ago, you can still renew using Form DS-82.

If it expired more than 5 years ago, you will need to apply for a new Passport using Form DS-11.

 

My Address Has Changed. Do I Need to Update My Passport?

If you have a Passport application that is currently in process, you should contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to notify them about the address change.

You don't need to contact them if your address changes after you receive your Passport.

 

How Do I Change My Name on My Passport?

For more information, see How to Change or Correct a Passport.

 

I Lost My Passport. What Should I Do?

Visit www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/lost-stolen.html for forms and instructions.

 

My Passport Was Severely Damaged. What Should I Do?

If your Passport was significantly damaged, you will need to apply for a new Passport.

  • Damage that might require you to replace your Passport includes water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), a hole punch, alterations or other injuries.

You will need to submit the following items along with a completed Form DS-11:

  • Your damaged Passport;
  • A signed statement explaining how your Passport was damaged; and
  • All documents required by Form DS-11, including citizenship documentation (i.e., birth certificate).

NOTE: Damaged or mutilated Passports will not be returned to the applicant with their new Passport.

 

My Gender Has Changed Since My Last Passport. What Should I Do?

For complete details, please visit www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/change-of-sex-marker.html.

Passport Information in Other Languages

The Broome County Clerk's Office has worked with the U.S. Department of State and is proud to offer Passport information in 10 languages in addition to English.

Amharic : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Arabic : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Chinese : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Haitian Creole : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Korean : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Portuguese : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Russian : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Spanish : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Tagalog : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info

Vietnamese : Adults Passport Info / Minor Passport info