The everything guide to the US Passport application process

Chicago City Clerk's Office: Passport Office in Chicago IL


Location:
Chicago City Clerk's Office
Address:
121 N La Salle St
 
Chicago, IL 60602
 
Hours of Operation Shown in (CST)
Monday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Tuesday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Wednesday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Thursday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Friday
8:00AM - 4:00PM


Handicap Accessible (ADA): Yes
Passport Photos: Yes, the Chicago City Clerk's Office takes passport photographs onsite - Please review our guide to Passport Photos. If you want your passport photos taken before you go to the acceptance agent, here is a list of places to get passport photos in Chicago.


Chicago Passport Office: Chicago City Clerk's Office Location Overview

Chicago City Clerk's Office is an acceptance agent/passport office. For passport service in Chicago, IL you can go here for passport help. Chicago City Clerk's Office is a Municipal facility that is able to witness your signature and seal your passport documents - standard processing is 4-8 weeks. This office DOES NOT issue passports, they will send your passport forms directly to a regional passport facility. There are 32 other passport acceptance agent offices located in Chicago. Chicago City Clerk's Office is located in County, Illinois.

About Chicago City Clerk's Office

Chicago City Clerk's Office is not a passport issuance facility and you will NOT receive a passport on-site there. This facility is an acceptance agent, the Chicago City Clerk's Office is sort of like a special notary for the Department of State / Passport Agency in which they can "Witness" your signature and officially "Seal" your application and documents. There is a separate $35 fee for this that is paid at the time of sealing.

Needs to visit an acceptance agent
New Passports Application (Child or Adult)
Lost / Damaged Passport Replacement

Doesn't need to visit an acceptance agent
Passport Renewal
Passport Name Change Application

Passport Processing Times at Chicago City Clerk's Office

Standard Processing - Because of Covid-19, the current processing times are 10-12 weeks after submitting an application.

Expedited Processing - You can pay an extra $60 when sealing your documents at Chicago City Clerk's Office to get your passport quicker, typically in 4-6 weeks.

Emergency Processing - (NOT AVAILABLE at Chicago City Clerk's Office): If you have proof of travel within 3 days you can request an emergency appointment at one of the regional passport offices close to Chicago. Also see our info about 3rd-party passport expediters.

Nearest Regional Passport Offices to Chicago, IL

Chicago Passport Agency - 0.3 Miles
Detroit Passport Agency - 205.6 Miles
Buffalo Passport Agency - 392.7 Miles

Passport Services Offered at Chicago City Clerk's Office

Passport Forms - If you need to pick up a physical pre-printed application that you can fill out by hand, the Chicago City Clerk's Office will have pre-printed passport forms. You may also get passport forms from our website and print them on your own printer.

Passport Document Sealing / Passport Application Signature Witness - Chicago City Clerk's Office is an official Acceptance Agent as appointed by the Department of State. Certain municipal and postal employees at this location are authorized to "Witness" your signature (kind of like a notary).
NOTE: not required for passport renewals
Acceptance Agent fee is $35 (see more about Acceptance Agent Fees)

4-6 week passport expediting / 10-12-week standard passport service - These are the standard processing times for passports at any acceptance agent.

Passport Photos - They can take and print your passport photos on site, typically $10-15.

Chicago City Clerk's Office Service Area Radius

This passport office is located in - Cook County and serves the passport needs for residents of other nearby zipcodes including: 60602, 60603, 60691, 60668, 60674, 60690, 60681, 60680, 60604, 60606, 60673, 60675, 60685, 60684, 60678, 60687, 60677, 60693, 60694

Frequently asked questions

How fast can I get a passport at Chicago City Clerk's Office?

Chicago City Clerk's Office does not issue passports, they are sent to a central processing facility, it will take at a minimum of 4 weeks if using expedited service and up to 12 weeks for standard processing.

I need a passport sooner than that, what are my options?

There is a regional passport office close to Chicago. That will be your fastest option for passport issuance. The Chicago Passport Agency is only 0.3 miles away.

Does Chicago City Clerk's Office charge for passports?

Chicago City Clerk's Office is an acceptance agent, Chicago City Clerk's Office does not issue passports – they do however charge the standard $35 acceptance agent fee to seal your documents, this is only required for new or replacement passport applications; renewals do not need to be sealed and thus no acceptance agent fee is required. Please see our detailed information on passport fees.

Can I get walk-in passport service at Chicago City Clerk's Office?

If by walk-in service you mean get your passport there at Chicago City Clerk's Office? Then no. They do not issue passports, you can get walk-in passport issuance at a regional passport facility only, not local acceptance agent facilities; passport are sent to a central processing location.

Does Chicago City Clerk's Office do passport renewals?

If you have your expired or soon-to-be expired passport, it is in good condition and the validity period on your expired passport was for 10-years, then you do not even need to visit an acceptance agent. You can do your application online, print-it and send it in with new passport photos, the old passport, and the required passport fees. See our guide about passport renewals to renew your passport yourself.

Can Chicago City Clerk's Office tell me about the status of my application?

No, they are acceptance agents and have nothing to do with the application once they witness your signature and seal your application. Once an application is in-process, Chicago City Clerk's Office will not be able to assist any further.

Does Chicago City Clerk's Office take passport photos?

Yes, you can get your passport photos taken there. Please see: List of locations in Chicago to get passport photos.

What forms of payment does Chicago City Clerk's Office accept?

At Chicago City Clerk's Office, the passport acceptance fees can be paid for with a check, cash, money order or debit card. Since Chicago City Clerk's Office takes passport photos there, you can also pay for photos with the same payment methods. Passport Fees can only be paid with a check or money order.

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