You must bring one of the following to send with your passport application packet.

• Original or certified copy of your Birth Certificate. A photo copy is not accepted.
• Original Naturalization certificate. A photo copy is not accepted.
• Previously-issued passport, if you have one.

View a complete list of primary or secondary citizenship evidence accepted by the U.S. Passport Agency when applying for a passport. You must have original or certified copies. A photocopy of the front and back of each document is also required. All original documents will be returned to you, and will arrive separate from your U.S. Passport.

All minors, and both of their parents or legal guardians must appear when applying for the minor's passport. However, the U.S. Passport Agency understands that sometimes one or both parents or legal guardians may be unavailable to appear to show parental consent.

No matter the situation, you will need to include additional documentation with the minor's passport application. Learn more about what documents are required when one or both parents or legal guardians are not available.

Contact the Clerk and Comptroller's Passport department with any questions.

The oath you will be asked to answer is as follows:

"Do you swear or affirm the information in your application is true and correct, and that the picture you are submitting is a true likeness of yourself?"

We recommend that you apply for your passport well in advance of any travel plans. Busy travel seasons can affect how long it takes for your application to be processed by the U.S. Passport Agency.

Arriving early at the Clerk and Comptroller's office allows you plenty of time to complete the necessary application steps.

Planning ahead is key. Review the following information when deciding how early to apply.

• How to save time when applying for your passport
• Current passport processing time frames
• Options to get your passport in a hurry

The U.S. Department of State Passport Agency establishes all guidelines for applying, fees, forms, time frames, and how passports are processed, and is the only agency who can process passport applications and issue U.S. Passports. All final decisions to issue a passport are made by a reviewing agent at the U.S. Passport Agency.

The Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller serves as a Passport Acceptance Facility, providing the public with Certified Passport Acceptance Agents, at two office locations, who are specially trained to assist you with the passport application process.

When you apply for a passport at the Clerk and Comptroller's office, a Certified Passport Acceptance Agent will help you to:

• Review your application for completeness;
• Verify that you filled out the correct application form;
• Discuss the details of your application to ensure it meets the U.S. Passport Agency’s requirements;
• Verify that you have the required documentation to send with your application, including any photocopies;
• Administer an oath;
• Take your passport photo, if you do not have your own;
• Advise you on the two types of passport travel documents;Review options for having your application processed timely;
• Check that your Application Fee payment to U.S. Department of State is correct;
• Receipt your Execution (Acceptance) Fee payment;
• Explain how to track the status of your passport application;
• Go over what you can expect from the U.S. Passport Agency, including how they will contact you and how you will receive your passport and returned documentation; and
• Send your verified passport application packet (forms, fees, photo, and documentation) to the U.S. Passport Agency via overnight or certified mail.

The Clerk and Comptroller cannot process passport applications, issue U.S. Passports, nor accept passport renewal applications.

If you were age 16 or older when your passport book or card was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years.

If you were age 15 or younger when your passport book or card was issued, your passport is valid for 5 years.

The Issue Date of your passport can be found on the data page of your Passport Book or on the front of your Passport Card.