How To Obtain A Passport

GENERAL INFORMATION
Location

Ada County Recorder's Office
Courthouse Building, First Floor
Room 1207
200 W. Front Street
Boise, Idaho 83702

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Including the lunch hour
Except State holidays

REQUIREMENTS

The following items are necessary for obtaining a passport:

• Driver's License, or proof of identification
• Original Birth Certificate, State Certified Birth Certificate, or original passport
• Original naturalization papers, if naturalized citizen
• Two recent color photographs

  - must be identical photos taken within the past six months

  - cannot be Polaroid

  - must have white or off-white background

  - must be 2" x 2" in size

  - for digitized photos, visit (www.travel.state.gov) for additional information

• Two separate payments as follows: CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY - NO CREDIT CARDS!

  1. Check or money order made payable to U.S. Department of State in the amount of:   $75 for adults, $60 for minors (15 years and under). This payment is for the actual passport.

  2. Cash, check or money order made payable to Ada County Recorder in the amount of $25 for processing fee.

APPLICATIONS

Passport Applications are available at both locations below:

For an application via the Internet, click here: Passport Application

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

If I send my original Birth Certificate along with my Passport Application, is
it returned?

Yes

Is a hospital Birth Certificate acceptable?

No. Only a State-issued Certified Copy or original Birth Certificate is accepted.

How long does it take to receive my passport?

You will receive your passport in approximately six (6) weeks. Ada County does not process expedited passports or hand deliveries; the U. S. Post Office can accommodate expedited requests (208-433-4306).

How many years is my passport valid?

If you are fifteen (15) years or under, your passport will be valid for five (5) years.
Sixteen (16) years and older, the passport is valid for ten (10) years.

Does your office do renewals?

Ada County supplies renewal application forms; however, the applicant is responsible to process their own application as per instructions on the back of the form.

Where can I get my picture taken?

Some suggestions are: Boise Main Post Office, American Automobile Association, Kinko's ,
Timeless Photo, Idaho Camera, Costco, or Sam's Club. Please refer to the Yellow Pages under "Passport Photos" for a complete listing.

How long do I have to renew my passport after it expires?

For an adult passport there is a five (5) year period that renewal by mail is accepted (Form DS-82).  After that time period, you must reapply (Form DS-11).

Can I sign my application before I bring it in?

No. The application must be signed in the presence of an authorized passport agent.

If my children are applying for a passport, what must they do?
Children 15 years and under must have both parents* or legal guardian(s) appear with them and present the following:

• evidence of the child's US citizenship (i.e. birth certificate, naturalization papers, passport, etc.)
• evidence of the child's relationship to parent/guardian(s), AND
• parental identification (i.e. driver's license, military ID, valid passport, etc.)

*If only one parent appears, one of the following must be provided:

• second parent's notarized written statement consenting to passport issuance for the child (form DS-3053),
• primary evidence of sole authority to apply, OR
• a written statement (made under penalty of perjury) explaining the second parent's unavailability.

Children 16-17 years must have one parent or legal guardian appear with the child and present the following:

• evidence of the child's US citizenship (i.e. birth certificate, naturalization papers, passport, etc.)
• evidence of the child's relationship to parent/guardian(s), AND
• parental identification (i.e. driver's license, military ID, valid passport, etc.)

For further information, visit www.travel.state.gov.

To Obtain a
Passport Application

Ada County Recorder's Office
Courthouse Building, Room 1207
200 West Front Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(208) 287-6840