| The Whatcom County Treasurer’s
office is an Approved Passport Acceptance
Facility. If you need to apply for a new Passport Book or Passport Card,
pick up forms to renew an existing passport, or report one as
lost or stolen, we can help.
Our passport processing hours are
from 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday thru Friday (Holidays
excluded), no appointment is necessary.
To facilitate the
application process, please be prepared to spend at least
20 minutes per person in our office, and have the following items with
you:
For a new
application, or replacement of a lost or stolen Passport Book –
- Certified proof of U.S. citizenship, to be sent in with
the application.
- Proof of identity.
- Two recent, identical, color photographs*.
- Two checks
for the required fees:
- One for $75 (or $60 for children under 16) payable to “Department of State”.
- One for $25 payable to “Whatcom County Treasurer”.
(No cash or credit
cards accepted for passport services, only checks)
All applicants
MUST appear in person.
If the applicant
is a child under the age of 16, both parents, or the child’s
legal guardian(s) must appear with the child and present:
- Evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship.
- Evidence of the child’s relationship to parent(s)/guardian(s),
AND
- Parent(s)/guardian(s) identification.
See the U.S. Department of State web site to print and/or complete a passport application form.
For a Passport Card –
Passport Cards will only be valid for land and sea crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
The application form, requirements, and procedure will be the same as applying for a Passport Book (see above). Two checks are required for the fees, as follows:
- Age 16 and over: One for $20 payable to "Department of State"; and a separate one for $25 payable to "Whatcom County Treasurer"; for a total fee of $45.
- Under age 16: One for $10 payable to "Department of State"; and a separate one for $25 payable to "Whatcom County Treasurer"; for a total fee of $35.
See the U.S. Department of State web site to print and/or complete a passport application form.
For
a renewal (we have the forms, you complete and mail)
–
You must be able to answer “yes” to all of the following
four questions.
If you cannot answer “yes” to all four questions,
you must complete a new application (see above).
- Can you submit your most recent U.S. passport, in good condition, with the renewal?
- Were you at least 16 years old when your most recent U.S.
passport was issued?
- Was your most recent U.S. passport issued less than 15
years ago?
- Do you use the same name as on your most recent U.S. passport?
Or, can you submit proper documentation (marriage certificate,
or court order) to reflect your name change?
In addition, you
will need:
- A check for the processing fee of $75 payable to “Department
of State”.
- Two recent, identical, color photographs*.
See the U.S.
Department of State web site
to print a passport renewal form.
As stated on the U.S. Department of State web site on 5/19/09, processing time for routine applications is approximately
4-6 weeks. There is an “Expedite” service available
for an additional $60 per passport, that could shorten this
time to approximately 2-3 weeks.
*All photographs
must be identical, they must be sufficiently recent to be
a good likeness of you, 2x2 inches in size, and with a light
background. They must be taken in normal street attire, without
a hat or dark glasses. There are several places in town that
take passport specific photos, and they will know the requirements,
as there are a few more than just what is listed here.
For more information
please visit the U.S. Department of State Passport
Services and Information
Or, contact
us. |
