Getting a Passport in San Diego

Travelers in the San Diego area require a valid passport to travel internationally, even into neighboring Mexico. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in 2009 requires that individuals have these documents to be eligible for re-entry into the United States. A passport card allows you to travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. International travel requires a passport book. To obtain either of these documents, go to the County Administration Center on 1600 Pacific Highway in room 402. Two hour courtesy parking is available with access to downtown San Diego.

• 1

  Complete the DS-11 Application for Passport, which you can either obtain online from the San Diego County website or at the County Administration Center. This is the form you use if you have never had a U.S. passport, you are under the age of 16, or your most recent passport was lost or stolen. You will also use this application if it has been more than 15 years since you had your last passport. Make sure you fill out the application accurately and completely to avoid any delays in the process, but do not sign it. The application must be signed in front of an Acceptance Agent.

• 2

  Present proof of U.S. citizenship. If you were born in the United States, bring your certified copy of your birth certificate. A certified copy means the state seal is embossed, or raised, and the document contains a date stamp of when it was issued. Hospital birth certificates are not acceptable. If you were not born in the United States, present your Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship. Also acceptable are a Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen, or a Certificate of Birth.

• 3

  Present proof of identity. This can be a previously issued passport, a valid driver's license or a state-issued identification card. The Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship also qualifies as proof of identity. You may also use military or government issued identification. You are required to provide your Social Security information because Passport Services routinely gives this information to the Internal Revenue Service. Failure to present this information can result in a $500 penalty imposed by the IRS.

• 4

  Present two color photographs 2x2 inches in size for your passport. They must be identical and taken within the previous six months. These photos must be front-view showing your full face, and have a light-colored background. Do not get your photos from a vending machine because those are not acceptable. The Clerk of the Board provides photo services for $10, which covers the cost of two color photos.

• 5

  Appear in person. This applies for all applicants, even minors. The only way you can complete the process by mail is in the case of a passport renewal. For children under the age of 16, both parents must appear on behalf of the child. If both parents are unable to appear, a notarized consent must be presented for the absent parent. If this is not possible, the parent who is applying on behalf of the child must give a written explanation as to why. For children over 16, only one parent needs to appear.

• 6

  Pay the fees. Two fees are required: the acceptance fee and the passport fee. The acceptance fee can be paid by cash, check or money order made out to the County of San Diego. The passport fee is paid to U.S. Department of State, and is only paid by check or money order. Fees vary depending on the type of passport you need, and how long you would like it to be effective.