Hancock County Clerk of Courts


PASSPORT INSTRUCTIONS

The U.S. Passport Card may only be used for re-entry into the United States at land borders and sea ports-of-entry when traveling from Canada Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Passport cards may not be used for air travel.
Passport Book and Passport Card
Important: Only ane Execution fee may be charged per application if the customer applies for both the Book and the Card at the same time.

Application Instructions

You must apply in person for a U.S. passport if you meet any of the following descriptions:

  • You are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time.
  • Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen or damaged.
  • Your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago.
  • Your previous U.S. passport has expired and it was issued when you were under 16.
  • Your name has changed since your passport was issued and you do not have a legal document formally changing your name.
  • You are a minor child under the age 16.
NOTE:
For All Minors Under Age 16:
  • Each minor child shall appear in person.
  • All applications for children under 16 require both parents’ or legal guardians’ presence or a notarized Affidavit of Consent.
For All Minors Age 16 and 17:
  • Each minor child shall appear in person.
  • For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
  • If your child does not have identification of his/her own, the parent must present identification and co-sign the application.

Please bring the following items with you to the Hancock County Clerk of Courts, Courthouse, 300 South Main Street, 3rd Floor, Findlay, OH, Business hours: Mon. thru Fri. 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. OR to the Hancock County Title Department, 8210 Cnty. Rd. 140, Suite E, Findlay, OH, Business: Monday 8:00a.m.-6:30p.m., Tues. thru Fri. 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m., Saturday 8:00a.m.-2:00p.m, to initiate your application:

  1. A completed "Passport Application" - Form DS-11
    (Note: Application should be typed or printed, legibly, in black ink.)

  2. One of the following documents providing proof of U.S. citizenship:
    • Previous U.S. passport
    • If age 15 or under, need previous passport (if there is one) and certified copy of Birth Certificate
    • Certified copy of Birth Certificate
    • Report of Birth Abroad
    • Certification of Birth Abroad
    • Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization

  3. Or, if the documentation requested above for proof of U.S. citizenship is not available, then you will need:
    1. Letter of "No Record" issued by the state with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you.
    2. AND, as many of the following documents as possible of early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of life:
      • Baptismal Certificate
      • Hospital Birth Certificate
      • Census record
      • Early school record
      • Family bible record
      • Doctor's record of post-natal care
      • Affidavit of Birth from an older blood relative, i.e., a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, who has personal knowledge of your birth.
        • It must be notarized or have the seal of the acceptance agent.
      • A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after the birth, Listing the documentation used to create it. It must be signed by the attending physician or midwife, or, list an affidavit by the parents, or, show early public records.

        VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS AND MILITARY DISCHARGE PAPERS ARE NOT PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP.

  4. One of the following items providing proof of identity:
    • Current, valid driver's license
    • Previous U.S. passport
    • Certificate of Naturalization
    • Certificate of Citizenship
    • Government employee identification card (Federal, State, Municipal)
    • Official military identification card
    • Aircraft pilot's license issued by the Department of Transportation, FAA

      SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AS IDENTIFICATION.

  5. Or, if the documentation requested above for proof of identity is not available, then you will need:
    • A person who can vouch for the applicant. This person must have known the Applicant for at least two years, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have valid identification. They will need to fill out a "Affidavit of Identifying Witness" in front of the passport agent, and
    • The passport applicant must present some identification of his or her own.

  6. If applying for a child under 16, both parents and/or legal guardians must apply for the child. The child's appearance is required. The parents or guardians must show current, valid identification, even if the child has had a prior passport. Each parent or guardian must present one of the following:
    • Valid driver's license
    • Valid official U.S. military ID
    • Valid U.S. Government ID
    • Valid U.S. or foreign passport with recognizable photo
    • Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from INS with recognizable photo
    • Resident Alien Card from INS
    If the parents and/or legal guardians do not have acceptable identification, someone with current, valid identification, that has known the parents or legal guardians for at least two years and is a U.S. citizen must vouch for the parents and/or legal guardians. They will need to fill out the "Affidavit of Identifying Witness".
Passport Photographs

The U.S. Department of State requires two photographs of the applicant be submitted with the application. Your photographs must be:

  • 2x2 inches in size
  • Identical
  • Taken within the last six months, showing current appearance
  • Color (black and white no longer allowed)
  • Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
  • Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
  • Taken in normal street attire
  • Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
  • Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  • If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture
  • Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.
Application for U.S. Passport by Mail

To be eligible to use the Form DS-82 "Application for U.S. Passport by Mail" you must be able to answer "yes" to all of the following questions:

  • Can you submit your most recent U.S. Passport?
  • Were you at least 16 years old when your most recent U.S. passport was issued?
  • Were you issued your most recent U.S. passport less than 15 years ago?
  • Do you use the same name on your most recent U.S. passport; or, have you had your name changed by marriage or court order and can you submit proper documentation to reflect your name change?
If you answer "yes" to all of the above questions, you can use the above named form and send it in yourself.

If you answered "no" to any of the above questions, you cannot use this form. You must apply on Form DS-11 by making a personal appearance at the Clerk of Court's office.