Albany County Clerk Programs and Services

How to Apply for a Passport

A person may apply for a passport at the local County Clerk's office or at a main Post Office.
Applications are available at either location. Please bring the necessary documents with you (use your scrollbar to see below).

Requirements for a U.S. Passport
Adults (Persons 16 years of age and older)

1. Birth Certificate with a raised seal or naturalization papers or old passport (a new passport will be needed if your previous passport is 12 years past the issue date or you were under 19 years old when it was issued)
2. Two studio pictures (2 inches by 2 inches) with a white or off white background.
3. Valid driver's license or valid picture ID (not expired)
4. A check or money order payable to the U.S. Passport Office for $75.00 and $25.00 in cash 

Children (Persons 15 years of age and under)
Please see the new rules for applying for children's passports. In most circumstances, both parents must now sign the application form for each child.

For more information, please click this link: http://travel.state.gov/

1. Birth Certificate with a raised seal or naturalization papers.
2. Two studio pictures (2 inches by 2 inches) with a white or off white background.
3. Valid driver's license (Parent or Guardian must accompany child. If the child is under 13 years old, they do not have to come in person)
4. A check or money order made payable to the U.S. Passport Office for $60.00 and $25.00 in cash.
   

U.S. Birth Certificate Instruction

A birth certificate is primary evidence of United States citizenship for an applicant born in the United States. To be acceptable, a birth certificate must show the following:

1. Name of the child (including given name)
2. Date of birth
3. Place of birth
4. File date (should be within one year of the date of birth)
5. Authorized seal of the registrar's office (seal may be raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored)

Every state, county or town now issue birth certificates with all of the characteristics listed above. No Exceptions Will Be Made for Applicants.

Unacceptable Evidence of Citizenship

1. Hospital Certificates
2. Baptismal Certificates
3. Notification of Birth
4. U.S. Census Records

Helpful Links
These web pages from the US Department of State offer additional details about passports. If you click on a link below you will leave the Albany County Clerk's web site. Please come back soon.

• For more information on passports, please visit the US Department of State Passport Services and Information web page.
• Should you pay extra to expedite processing of your passport? Click here to learn more from the US Dept of State.
• For information about passport applications already submitted, you may call the National Passport Information Center ("NPIC"). This federal government call center can check on the progress of a passport application.Click here for more information about NPIC

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