Passport Information

As a designated Passport Acceptance Facility for the U.S. Department of the State, the Clerk of the Court for Harford County can assist you in obtaining a NEW 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 prior to arriving in 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]

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

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

• Proof of Citizenship
• Passport Photo (our office does not offer photo service)
• Proof of Identity
• Payment of Fees (US Dept of State fee payable by separate check only)
• Social Security Numbers of ALL applicants

See below for detailed information on the above requirements

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.

• To track the application status, please visit the U.S. Department of State.
• For additional Passport information, please visit the Travel Site at the U.S. Department of State.
• For additional questions, please email the Licensing Department at [email protected].