A tiny applicant hit a big milestone at the County’s passport services office Thursday.
Barbara Vollath and Guido Funke brought their 7-day-old daughter Lilly to the County Administration Center for her very first passport. Lilly became the 200,000th person to apply for a passport since the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors began offering this service 17 years ago.
The family was presented a certificate of congratulations from Clerk of the Board David Hall. Staff and customers celebrated with cheers, photos, balloons and desserts. Lilly, who wore a red and pink striped onesie, slept through the festive and momentous celebration.
Funke, a doting new dad, said he was truly impressed with the ease of their visit to the Clerk of the Board’s office.
The demand for passports has grown exponentially since the Clerk of the Board began offering passport services in 1999. Travel requirements now mandate that most citizens crossing the U.S/Mexico and U.S./Canada borders have a passport.
It took 13 years for the Clerk of the Board to reach 100,000 passport applications and only four years for it to hit 200,000.
Hall credits several factors in the popularity of the County’s passport acceptance office: the great location with free parking, the office is one of only three locations in the county to accept walk-in customers, and its proximity to the County Recorder’s office where customers can obtain documents, such as birth certificates, in the same building.
“But without a doubt, the helpfulness, courtesy and professionalism of our staff sets us apart,” Hall said.
Routine passport applications typically take four to six weeks to be processed by the U.S. Department of State.
Apply for your passport book or card at the County Administration Center at 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402, San Diego. The County Clerk of the Board offers passport walk-in services with no appointment necessary. Service is offered from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding County holidays.
To quickly process your passport application, be prepared with the following:
- Completed Application: DO NOT SIGN THE FORM.
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship: Must be a birth certificate or Certificate of Naturalization.
- Proof of Identity: Must be a state- or government-issued identification or previously issued passport.
- One Passport Photo: We provide passport photo services.
- Payment for Acceptance Fees: Forms of payment are cash, check or money order only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.
- Appear in Person: All applicants must appear in person. Please note there are special requirements for children under age 16.
Free, three-hour parking is available at the County Administration Center. The parking garage entrance is on Ash Street between North Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway.
Additional information on the passport process can be at obtained online at www.sdpassports.com.
