Page 15 - Boca Club News - September '23

Boca Club News, Page 15
Top 5 Frequently Asked Passport Questions:

What You Need to Know

By Joseph Abruzzo, Clerk of the What documents do I need to bring with me? Even if you’re only thinking about traveling outside of the
Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm • Your completed DS-11 application form, which must United States, now is the time to book your appointment
Beach County. Clerk Abruzzo serves be completed in black ink. and get ahead of any delays.
as the county’s protector of public • Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, While the Clerk’s office is only a passport acceptance
records and public funds. He was Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization. facility, we are more than happy to help you with your
elected in November 2020 and • A valid government-issued photo ID or passport. For passport journey in any way that we can, from scheduling
sworn into office on January 5th, minors getting a passport, both parents will be required to your appointment to taking your photo and making sure
2021. Prior to his election, Clerk be in person and provide identification. that your application is filled out correctly. My office will
Abruzzo served in the Florida • One 2 x 2-inch white background passport photo, or do whatever we can to make your experience as stress free
Legislature for a decade, serving in both the Florida you can purchase a photo at our office. as possible.
House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. He Can I take my own photo and submit it? Of course. About the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller,
proudly served in the United States Coast Guard Reserves You may bring with you one color photo, on matte or Palm Beach County. The Clerk of the Circuit Court &
as a Port Security Specialist from 2005 to 2013 and is the glossy photo quality paper that is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 Comptroller is Palm Beach County’s protector of public
recipient of numerous awards, medals and outstanding mm). You must directly face the camera with a neutral money and records including marriage licenses, court
performance citations. expression, and your head should be between 1 inch and documents, financial reports and real estate records. Visit
Thinking of traveling abroad? If you need a passport, 1-3/8 inches (between 25 and 35 mm) from the bottom of www.mypalmbeachclerk.com and find us @ClerkPBC on
the Clerk’s office is here to help. your chin to the top of your hair. The background must be Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
As Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller in Palm white.
Beach County, one of my office’s important duties to the If you’re not comfortable taking the photo at home,
public is as an authorized passport acceptance facility, we are more than happy to take your photo during your
providing the necessary services for U.S. citizens to appointment for a nominal fee, or you may purchase a
obtain new passports. This service is available at our Belle passport photo at a retail store that offers passport photo
Glade, Palm Beach Gardens and Delray Beach locations. services.
We understand that this process can be confusing and How do I get a passport for my child? With school
overwhelming at times, which is why I want to answer five out, now’s the perfect time to bring them to an appointment.
of the top questions we get asked about passports here at Children under age 16 must apply for a passport in person
the Clerk’s office. with either (1) two parents or guardians, or (2) one parent
Do I need to apply in person for my passport? If you or guardian with a notarized Statement of Consent form.
can answer “yes” to any of the following, you’ll need to You must submit documentation that lists the parent(s) or
apply in person: legal guardian(s) of the child applying for a passport, such
• Is this your first time applying for a U.S. Passport? as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, and
• Did you lose your most recent passport book or card? the parents must bring their own form of valid ID. Proof
• Was your old passport issued more than 15 years ago? of citizenship is also required, such as a previous passport
• Was your old passport issued when you were a minor or birth certificate.
(under 16 years old)? How long does it take for me to get my passport?
To apply in person, you can make an appointment Routine processing time with the Department of State will
online and our helpful Clerk staff will take care of you. If currently take between 10 to 13 weeks for routine and 7
you don’t meet the criteria above, simply renew through to 9 weeks for expedited passport service. As more and
the mail with the U.S. Department of State. more people seek out international travel, these longer
processing times will be the norm for quite some time.