The County of San Diego accepts applications for U.S. passports. We forward applications to the U.S. Department of State, which issues the passports.
All applicants, including the parents/legal guardians of minors, must be present
with a fully completed passport application and documents at the time of their appointment. In order to provide excellent customer service and meet all requirements of the passport application process, incomplete applications
or late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
You need an appointment to submit your passport application at the County Administration Center.
You can schedule an appointment up to two weeks in advance.
If no timeslots are displayed, we are fully booked for the next two weeks. Check again later for cancellations and new appointments.
Fees depend on what you apply for. You can pay by check, cash, or money order. We do not accept credit cards or debit cards.
The U.S. Department of State handles the final processing and issuance of passports.
Current processing times:
Routine service: 6 to 8 weeks
Expedited service: 2 to 3 weeks
You can check your application status on the Department of State website.
Fill it out in black ink but do not sign.
You need to submit citizenship documents with your application. The State Department will return your original documents when processing has completed.
Acceptable citizenship documents include:
An abstract birth certificate from California or Texas is not acceptable.
If you were born in the County of San Diego, you can buy a certified copy of your birth certificate from the County Recorder in Room 260, County Administration Center.
Provide one of these photo IDs:
We can take a photo when you come for your appointment. Passport photos are $11.
There are two fees:
You can buy a money order from our facility for a $2.00 fee.
We do not accept credit or debit cards. An ATM is available on the 4th floor of the building.
Visit our fees information page for processing options and costs.
All passport applicants must appear in person, including minors under age 16.
Applicants - children under age 16
All parents or legal guardians must consent for their child to get a passport. Parents must submit a birth certificate or legal documents showing guardianship. Parents/guardians and minor applicants must appear in person. If a parent cannot appear, they must provide a notarized consent form (Form DS-3053) and a copy of the front and back of their ID.
Applicants - children age 16 or 17
Applicants age 16 or 17 must appear in person with at least one parent.
1600 Pacific Highway
Room 402
San Diego, CA 92101
If you have business at the County Administration Center, you can park free for three hours in the underground parking garage on Ash Street. The entrance is between Pacific Highway and North Harbor Drive. There is also metered street parking around the building.
Take San Diego Trolley Green Line or Blue Line to the County Center/Little Italy station.
MTS bus routes stopping at County Administration Center: 280, 290, 923, 992.
If you are traveling in less than 2 weeks, you can make an appointment to apply in person at the San Diego Passport Agency. You need to:
You can make an appointment by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. The San Diego Passport Agency is at 401 West A Street, 10th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.
Contact the U.S. Department of State:
