The everything guide to US Passports & the application process

Santa Cruz County Clerk: Passport Office in Santa Cruz CA

Last Reviewed on March 5th, 2024


Location:
Santa Cruz County Clerk
Address:
701 Ocean St
 
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
 
Hours of Operation Shown in (PST)
Monday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday
8:00AM - 5:00PM


Handicap Accessible (ADA): Yes

Passport Photos: No, you will need to get passport photos taken before going there. Here is our passport photo guide for reference and here is a list of places to get passport photos in Santa Cruz.


Santa Cruz Passport Office: Santa Cruz County Clerk Location Overview

Santa Cruz County Clerk is an acceptance agent/passport office. For passport service in Santa Cruz, CA you can go here for passport help. Santa Cruz County Clerk is a County / State 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 is 1 other passport acceptance agent offices located in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz County Clerk is located in County, California.

About Santa Cruz County Clerk

Santa Cruz County Clerk is not a passport issuance facility and you will NOT receive a passport on-site there. This facility is an acceptance agent, the Santa Cruz County Clerk 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 Santa Cruz County Clerk

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 Santa Cruz County Clerk to get your passport quicker, typically in 4-6 weeks.

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

Nearest Regional Passport Offices to Santa Cruz, CA

San Francisco Passport Agency - 46.5 Miles
Los Angeles Passport Agency - 253.4 Miles
San Diego Passport Agency - 355.7 Miles

Passport Services Offered at Santa Cruz County Clerk

Passport Forms - If you need to pick up a physical pre-printed application that you can fill out by hand, the Santa Cruz County Clerk 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 - Santa Cruz County Clerk 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.

Santa Cruz County Clerk Service Area Radius

This passport office is located in - Santa Cruz County and serves the passport needs for residents of other nearby zipcodes including: 95060, 95064, 95041, 95018, 95061, 95005, 95063, 95067, 95007, 95066, 95065, 95062, 95017, 95010, 95073, 95006, 95044, 95026, 95001

Frequently asked questions

How fast can I get a passport at Santa Cruz County Clerk?

Santa Cruz County Clerk 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?

The closest passport agency isn't too far from Santa Cruz, San Francisco Passport Agency is only about 100 miles roundtrip from Santa Cruz. This will be your best option for getting a passport quickly.

Does Santa Cruz County Clerk charge for passports?

Santa Cruz County Clerk is an acceptance agent, Santa Cruz County Clerk 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 Santa Cruz County Clerk?

If by walk-in service you mean get your passport there at Santa Cruz County Clerk? 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 Santa Cruz County Clerk 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 Santa Cruz County Clerk 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, Santa Cruz County Clerk will not be able to assist any further.

Does Santa Cruz County Clerk take passport photos?

No, you will have to get your passport photo taken before you go to Santa Cruz County Clerk for the sealing of your passport. Do not go there without getting passport photos first or you will not get your application sealed. Here's the list of locations to get passport photos in Santa Cruz.

What forms of payment does Santa Cruz County Clerk accept?

At Santa Cruz County Clerk, the passport acceptance fees can be paid for with a check, cash, money order or debit card. Passport Fees can only be paid with a check or money order.

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