General Passport Information

Routine, priority or expedited passport applications may be obtained and processed at the Office of the Monroe County Clerk located in the County Office Building, 39 W. Main St., Room 101 (at the corner of West Main and Fitzhugh Streets in downtown Rochester), Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and the last Saturday of the month from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For 2009, those Saturday dates are January 31, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 30, June 27, July 25, August 28, September 26, October 31 and November 28. Additionally, we are open every Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., at the Greece and Pittsford Town Halls. No appointment is needed at any location!

When applying for a passport, please be prepared to provide the following:

• A completed application, type written or neatly printed in black or blue ink only. Do not sign the form until in the presence of a Clerk.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship in one of three forms: a certified copy of your birth certificate with a raised seal; original naturalization papers, or an old U.S. passport issued in your name.
• Two identical passport photos, 2" x 2" with a white background and a full front view of your head and shoulders. Pictures must be taken within the last six months. Pictures are available in the Monroe County Clerk’s Office for a fee of $7 per set.
• $75 cash, check, visa, mastercard or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State” for a passport book and $25 payable to the "U.S. Department of State" for a passport card. There is an additional $25 County processing fee for each application. Identification may include a valid driver’s license, a current student or military ID with photo, or naturalization papers issued to you as an adult for identification.
• Applicants between the ages of 16 to 18 must appear with a parent or legal guardian.
• Applicants under the age of 16 must appear with BOTH PARENTS.

Note: If you were born in Monroe County you may obtain a copy of your birth certificate by contacting the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 753-5141.

For quicker results, download a passport application, fill it out beforehand and bring it with you to the County Clerk’s Office.

If you have any further specific questions, please call 585 753-1600.

Visit the Monroe County Health Department’s Office of Vital Records.

Visit the US Department of State’s Travel website for Passport Forms.

Passports for Children

All children (those under the age of 18) must appear at time of application.

Passports are required for all children from birth.

Rules governing the issuance of passports to children under the age of 16 were recently revised by the U.S. Department of State. BOTH PARENTS or the child’s legal guardian must be present at the time of application or present additonal documentation as detailed below.

Evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship must be presented at the time of application. The child’s Social Security number is also required on the application.

Both parents or legal guardian must:

• Present evidence that they are the parents or guardian;
• Show valid identification;
• Sign and take an oath before an authorized passport acceptance agent.

If the second parent is not available to sign, the appearing parent must do all of the above and:

• Present evidence that he/she has sole custody of the child; or
• Present a completed “statement of consent” form (DS-3053), which must be notarized.

If no parent is available to sign, a third party must appear with a notarized statement or affidavit from both parents or custodial parents authorizing the third party to apply for a passport for their child. When the statement or affidavit if from only one parent, the third party must present evidence of sole custody of that authorizing parent.

Children between the ages of 16–18 must appear with a parent or legal guardian who can sign their passport application. Furthermore, the applicant will need:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship;
• A social security number;
• The parent to produce photo identification showing the same last name as the child (guardian must bring guardianship papers). If the last name on the parent’s ID is different from the applicant, additional documentation will be required.

Fees

Passport Book:  $60 cash, check, or money order (for children under the age of 16) payable to “U.S. Department of State” ($75 for age 16 and over) and an additional $25 County processing fee.

Passport Card:  $10 cash, check or money order (for children under the age of 16) payable to the "U.S. Department of State" ($20 for age 16 and over) and an additional $25 county processing fee.

Expedite the Passport Process

The processing time for passports is four to six weeks from time of application to time of return. The Office of the Monroe County Clerk is only responsible for processing the passport application. You will receive your passport in the mail directly from the Passport Agency.

If you wish to receive a passport sooner than the U.S. Department of State’s national service commitment, you may pay an expedite fee of $60. The price does not include urgent mailing or delivery service. This service must be arranged by the customer.

An expedited passport is 10 business days from time of application to time of return. If you do not receive your passport within the time schedules listed above, please contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD 1-888-874-7793) or by e-mail.

Amend or Change a Passport

To amend information or to change a name on a passport, you must fill out a “Passport Amendment/Validation Application.” When completed, mail the form with your passport and supporting documentation to the National Passport Processing Center address listed on the application. Supporting documents could include an original marriage certificate, court ordered birth certificate, or other documentation that would support the name change, correction or amendment. No processing fees are required.

Download a Passport Amendment Application from the U.S. Department of State website.

Renew a Passport by Mail

To renew a passport by mail, submit a completed application, your most recent passport, two identical passport photos with a white background taken within the last six months, and a check or money order for $75 payable to “Department of State” to the National Passport Processing Center address listed on the application.

Please Note: you must be able to submit your most recent passport and you must have been at least 16 at the time your previous passport was issued, and it must have been issued less than 15 years ago. Also, you must use the same name as on your most recent passport or submit your marriage certificate or court order if your name has changed.

Download a Passport Renewal Application from the U.S. Department of State website.