Passport Information

Passport Service is offered on (Tuesday-Friday)

OVER 2,000 PASSPORT APPLICATIONS PROCESSED SINCE BRINGING BACK THE SERVICE IN MAY 2021!

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Why Have a Passport?

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most countries. Only the U.S. Dept. of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify U.S. passports. Beyond this website, to download forms and find out more information concerning the process and/or what is required to apply, you can visit travel.state.gov.

Passport Requirements

View the tabs above for information on each of these requirements.

  • Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens
  • Passport Application Acceptance Program Changes - Several important changes in the Passport Program became effective on April 1, 2011. Several important changes in the Passport Program relative to Puerto Rican birth certificates became effective on October 30, 2010.
  • What do I need to Bring - The information found in this tab comes directly off the DS-11 form, which is most commonly used for those applying for a passport for the first time.

PHOTOGRAPHS: You must submit ONE 2" X 2" color passport photo taken within the last six months. This photo cannot be a printout from home. Most individuals go to a local store that offers photographic services.

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: Expired passport issued to an adult or Naturalization Certificate (must be original) or Certified Copy of your Division in the state in which you were born). Persons born in Alabama can go to any local Health Department to purchase a certified copy of their Birth Certificate. It will be issued at the time of purchase. If you were born in another state, you must contact that state’s Division of Vital Statistics. There are several sites on the Internet that can assist you in this matter. Persons 15 and older, who held a prior passport, can use that Passport in lieu of the certified birth certificate. This instrument will be submitted with your application and returned within two weeks after receipt of your passport.

PASSPORT FEE: Personal check, cashiers check or money order payable to U.S. Department of State. You cannot use a counter check (temporary, starter, or bank fill-in checks etc.). Even with personal checks, you must write your name and birthdate on the check. Passport Fees can be combined for individuals applying at the same time.

All international travel requires a passport book or a passport card.

Go to travel.state.gov for up to date passport fees.

IMPORTANT: If you are flying, a book is REQUIRED. The card is valid only for travel by car or ship. Be aware that any emergency requiring flight will require a passport book.

  • Children 16 or 17 may appear with one parent or legal guardian to sign the application in the office.
  • Children 15 and younger must appear with both parents or legal guardian to sign the application in the office.

EXECUTION FEE (Book and Card): $35.00 cash or check made payable to Mark R. Eady, Circuit Clerk.

IDENTIFICATION: A State issued ID (i.e. Driver's License) or federally issued ID (i.e military) is required. We cannot accept privately issued forms of identification (i.e work badges). If you do not hold identification issued by the State of Alabama, you must present a second identification.

Please check the Department of State's website (travel.state.gov) for the most up-to-date application processing times. Add $60.00 per application to passport fee for Expedited Service (typically 3-week processing time). Price does not include overnight mailing. Add $21.36 for this service. Only available for Passport Book applicants in the United States (not Canada). This service is NOT available for Passport Card applicants. Passport cards are sent via First Class Mail.

Another option is to add Priority Mail Express for overnight delivery to the processing facility. However, you would purchase the express envelope at the post office for $26.35 and bring it to your appointment.

Mark R. Eady, Circuit Clerk
Colbert County Courthouse
201 North Main Street Tuscumbia, AL 35674
Phone 256-386-8511
mark.eady@alacourt.gov

Passport Service hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. We are currently operating on an appointment only basis. Call the clerk's office to schedule an appointment.
You must arrive on time for your appointment. It is also highly recommended that you download and fill out your application before arriving at your appointment. However, if you have questions about how to fill out some of the forms, wait until you arrive to complete the form. Forms have to be completely correct to submit.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens

Apply for one or both, it's your choice.

Validity (Passports):

  • 10 years for adults (But can be renewed as long as within 15)
  • 5 years for minors

Size:

  • 5” x 3 ½” (when unopened)

First time cost for passport BOOK applicants:

  • $130 for adults
  • $100 for minors

First time cost for passport card applicants:

  • $30 for adults
  • $15 for minors      

Cost for U.S. Passport book renewal:

  • $130 for adults

If you apply for both a Passport Book and Card at the same time:
Cost for first time applicants:
Adults: $160.00
Minors: $115.00

Passport Application Acceptance Program Changes

Passport Services
Bureau of Consular Affairs
United States Department of State

IMPORTANT NOTICE to
PASSPORT APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE AGENTS

Beginning April 1, 2011 all United States birth certificates submitted for minor and adult passport applications must contain the name of the parent(s) in addition to the previous requirements. All United States birth certificates must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Show the full name of the parent(s)
  • Be issued by the office of vital statistics of the state, county, or city where the birth occurred;
  • Show the full name of the child at birth;
  • Indicate the date and place of birth;
  • Bear the embossed, impressed, multi-colored, or raised seal and signature of the issuing authority;
  • Indicate a registration or file date that is within one year of the birth; and
  • Be an original and certified document (notarized copies and photocopies are not accepted)

United States birth certificates that do not meet these standards will not be acceptable as primary evidence of citizenship.

If you have any questions, please contact your regional customer service manager(s).

Thank you!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

As of October 30, 2010, the Department of State will only accept Puerto Rican birth certificates issued on or after July 1, 2010 as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship.

Beginning October 30, 2010, your facility should only accept Puerto Rican birth certificates issued on or after July 1, 2010. Affected customers that do not yet have a new Puerto Rican birth certificate should be referred to the official websites below for information on how to apply for their birth certificates.

Customers looking for more information on the Puerto Rican birth certificate law may visit the
Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration website at:

www.prfaa.com (English)
www.prfaa.com (Spanish)

If a customer insists on submitting his/her invalid Puerto Rico birth certificate, please do not refuse the customer and continue to accept/execute the application and follow normal acceptance procedures for submission to your regional passport agency or center.

This new law will not affect Puerto Rican citizens who currently have a U.S. passport and are eligible to submit Form DS-82:Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail.

Thank you!

Common Mistakes

    1. Filling out the form in blue ink (Must be in black)
    2. Not having a 2x2 picture already made from a facility offering photo services
    3. Writing their mother’s current name instead of her name at birth
    4. Being unaware that an original birth certificate will have to be submitted
      (With a raised seal and free of any tears or stains to be acceptable)
    5. Not having acceptable forms of payment – cashier’s check, money order, check (no starter checks)
    6. Filling the form out online before arriving, but leaving some spaces blank
      1. You must complete all required fields online if this option is chosen
      2. You must print out the completed application for us to mail-in
      3. Any mistake can only be corrected by completing another application
    7. Arriving to the appointment with a pre-written check having an incorrect total
    8. Miscalculation of the time necessary to have a passport before traveling
      (It usually takes two to three days for the passport processing center to receive an application from us, but their processing times can vary and change often, so the best practice is to check travel.state.gov.
    9. Bounced Checks
      1. Will require a re-imbursement of processing fees to this office
      2. Will require a re-imbursement to the U.S. State Dept. for processing
    10. Not coming at all or arriving over 15 mins late to a scheduled appointment
      1. Can result in having to re-schedule to another available time
      2. Can result in having to seek another acceptance facility

ITEMS THAT MUST BE BROUGHT TO APPLY

2X2 PHOTO

UP TO DATE DRIVER’S LICENSE

BIRTH CERTIFICATE

FORM OF PAYMENT