If you are planning to travel abroad, a valid passport may be required. There may be additional documentation required for travel, including visas.  THE CLERK OF COURTS DOES NOT ISSUE VISAS.  Click here to go to the U.S. Department of State's website.
 
Click here to access passport forms.  

You must appear in person.
Passport applications are accepted at our title office, which is located at 475 Western Ave M, Chillicothe, OH 45601.  Passports are delivered by mail from the United States Department of State, and should arrive within six to eight weeks. Expedited passports may be requested for an additional fee and usually arrive within two to three weeks.  Passports are not delivered on holidays or weekends.

In order to obtain a passport, you must pay any related fees and present the following to the Clerk of Courts title office:

1. A completed passport application*:
*APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN BLACK INK
Form DS-11. The application must be signed at the title office.  If a clerk does not witness the signature, the application is invalid.

2. Proof of Citizenship (one of the following):

• Certified Birth Certificate, issued and certified by the Department of Vital Statistics (hospital birth records are not acceptable);  
• Previous U.S. Passport;
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
• Naturalization Certificate;
• Certificate of Citizenship;
• A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if the documentation used to create it is signed by the attending physician or midwife and is accompanied by an affidavit signed by the parents.

3. Proof of Identity (please provide the original and a copy of one of the following):

• Valid U.S. Passport;
• Naturalization Certificate;
• Current, valid driver's license; or
• Government ID: city, state or federal;

Minors
ALL MINORS MUST APPEAR IN PERSON. In order to avoid potential issues with State Department approval, the Clerk of Courts highly recommends that all minors appear with both parents (if possible).  

Minors age 17 may apply independently, if sufficient factual evidence of parental awareness is provided.  

Minors age 16 who have a valid ID, may be accompanied by only one parent.  

Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by both parents. Please contact our office with any issues involving both parents being present.

All minors must have Evidence of Child's Relationship to Parent(s)/Guardian(s), such as:

• Certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing parent(s) names;
• Certified Foreign Birth Certificate showing parent(s) names and translation, if necessary;
• Form FS-240 Report of Birth Abroad showing parent(s) names;
• Form DS-1350 Certification of Birth Abroad showing parent(s) names;
• Adoption Decree with adoptive parent(s) names;  
• Court order establishing custody; or
• Court Order establishing Guardianship.

The Parent(s) Identification Includes AT LEAST 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;
• Green Card/Alien Resident Card.

The Parent(s) Application Permission Documentation:

• Both parents must appear together and sign; or
• One parent appears and submits the second/absent parent's signed and notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16), with a copy of the absent parent's ID; or
• One parent appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority.

PASSPORT FEES
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ACCEPTS ONLY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER

*Check or Money Order payable to U.S. Department of State

**Cash, Check OR Money Order or Credit Card (Card Fees apply) payable to Ross County Clerk of Courts

(*) Postage rates change frequently. Check with our office for the most recent rate.

PASSPORT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

• The passport photograph must have been taken within the past six months and must be "2x2";
• The image must be a passport quality photo;
• The image should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head;
• The photograph must be a clear frontal view with a white or off-white background;
• Normal street attire should be worn in picture; and,
• All eyeglasses, hats, and other such items may not be worn in the picture.
• For an additional $15.00 fee, we will take the photograph.