Passport Information

NOTICE: 

The Clerk’s Office Licensing Department has moved to our new location at 24 Office Street! Please visit us for assistance with Marriage Applications, Civil Ceremonies, Notary Authentications, Notary Commissions, Business License Applications, Business License Renewals, and Passports. Stop by to check out our new Wedding Chapel for civil ceremonies!

View a map of our new office location.

Please note the Clerk’s Office is a Passport Acceptance Facility and has no influence on how quickly passports are processed. Current processing times may be viewed by following this link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html. Mailing time is not included in the processing times and can be an additional two weeks to arrive at the passport agency and two weeks to receive the completed passport.


As a designated Passport Acceptance Facility for the U.S. Department of State, the Clerk of the Court for Harford County can assist you in obtaining a passport book and/or passport card. Copies of the application are available in the Licensing Department of the Clerk’s Office, or you may download the application at U.S. Department of State. If you complete the application before coming to the Office, DO NOT SIGN IT. All applications must be signed by applicants in front of an Agent.

Clerk’s Office Licensing Department Location
Licensing Department (across from the Circuit Court Courthouse)
24 Office Street
Bel Air, MD  21014
410-638-3489, 410-638-3586, or 410-638-3248
[email protected]

Office Hours – 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday thru Friday (except State Holidays)

  • Walk-in applications are taken from 8:30am to 3:00pm.
  • Appointments are available from 8:30am-3:00pm and will be taken before walk-ins.

How Do I Apply for My Passport at the Clerk’s Office?

ALL PARTIES applying for a passport book and/or passport card must appear in person and provide the following:

1.Proof of U.S. Citizenship: (An Original or Certified Copy one of the following is required, plus a black & white photocopy of the document. Originals will be returned in a separate mailing, up to 8 weeks after the passport has been mailed. *)

  • Previous U.S. Passport
  • Certified Birth Certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Certificate of Citizenship

*If a black and white photocopy of the Proof of Citizenship is not provided, then a second Certified Copy of Citizenship must be included, which the Department of State will keep.

2. Passport Photo:

  • Please read these photo tips.
  • Acceptable Passport Photos must:
    • Measure 2”x2
    • Be recent (taken within the last six months)
    • Be in color, but not over/under exposed
    • Taken with a white background
    • Selfies, filters, vending machine photos, etc. are not acceptable.
  • An example of approved passport photo sites are local post offices, libraries, and pharmacies.

3. Proof of Identity (The original must be brought for the Passport Agent to verify Applicant’s identity, but it will be returned. Applicant must provide a black and white photocopy of Proof of Identify to be mailed with application):

  • Previous U.S. Passport
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Current and VALID Driver’s License
  • Alternate Government Issued ID (issued by the City, State, or Federal Government)
  • Military ID
  • Work ID, but MUST be currently employed by the company
  • Student ID, but MUST be currently enrolled as a student
  • Merchant Marines Card, also know as a “Seamen’s” or “Z” Card
  • Pilot or Flight Attendant ID

4. Payment of Fees: (US Department of State and Acceptance Facility Fees must be paid in separate transactions. A single check combining fees due cannot be accepted.)

  • U.S. Department of State Fee: (Personal, Certified, Cashier’s, or Travel Checks; Money Orders; or Bank Drafts ONLY. Starter Checks are not acceptable.)
    • For Adults (16 and over)
      • Check made payable to the U.S. Department of State in the amount of $130.00 for a Passport Book
      • Check made payable to the U.S. Department of State in the amount of $30.00 for a Passport Card
      • Check made payable to the U.S. Department of State in the amount of $160.00 for a Passport Book and Passport Card
    • For Children (under 16)
      • Check made payable to the U.S. Department of State in the amount of $100.00 for a Passport Book
      • Check made payable to the U.S. Department of State in the amount of $15.00 for a Passport Card
      • Check made payable to the U.S. Department of State in the amount of $115.00 for a Passport Book and Card
  • Acceptance Facility Fee:
    • An additional $35.00 acceptance facility fee is required to obtain a Passport Book and/or Passport Card.
      • Checks made payable to the Clerk of the Court.
      • Cash, Check, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted.

5. Social Security Numbers for all applicants are required per Section 6039E of the 1986 IRS Code.

After the Clerk’s Office reviews the application and required documentation, the application will be sent to Passport Services for processing. The passport will be processed, issued, and mailed within the current processing times provided by the U.S. Department of State.