Lafayette County Chancery Clerk Offers Streamlined Passport Process March 21, 2024

For Lafayette County residents, obtaining a passport doesn’t require braving long lines or complicated paperwork. Instead, a trip to the Chancery Clerk office can offer a streamlined and personalized experience, more convenient than other options.

“If you have everything in order, the process goes very quickly,” says Deputy Chancery Clerk Annie Baker. “It usually doesn’t take 10 to 15 minutes.”

To ensure your trip to the Chancery Clerk goes as smoothly as possible, Baker has shared some helpful tips to guide you through the process.

Bring all the documents you need.

All passport applications, whether they’re first-time passports or renewals, are mailed into the U.S. Department of State and must include certain documents.

“If you’ve never had a passport before, you’ll need to fill out the DS-11 form,” says Baker. Those renewing passports will fill out the DS-82 form. 

Not able to print off your form? Residents can visit the Chancery Clerk to receive printed copies of the forms they need. 

First-time applicants must bring an original or certified copy of their birth certificate, which will be mailed back to them. Applicants with a passport issued less than 15 years ago will mail in their renewal application themselves and include their old passport instead of their original or certified birth certificate. 

They can acquire the U.S. Passport Renewal application for eligible individuals also known as form DS-82 on the travel.state.gov site or in the Chancery Clerk office. The form has all the instructions and mailing addresses for routine and expedited service.

Once all documents are submitted, the Chancery Clerk’s office will mail out the application, tracking it to make sure it ends up at its destination quickly.

Start your application process early.

“It takes about six to eight weeks to get your passport,” says Baker. “That’s a shorter time than during COVID. It’s been reduced quite a bit since last year, too. “

But to be safe, she suggests giving yourself more time than you think you’ll need to get your passport. 

Residents with a time crunch can expedite their passports, too. Current wait times for expedited passports show that it takes two to three weeks to receive your new passport. 

Come at the right time.

No appointment is needed to visit the Chancery Clerk’s office to submit your application, but timing your visit can minimize your wait time. Baker suggests arriving at the office before 4:00 p.m. to ensure your passport gets into the mail that day.

“We like to take the day’s passport applications to the post office before it closes. If your application comes in later than 4:00 p.m., we may have to lock it up for the day,” says Baker.

Especially on Fridays—which is the Chancery Clerk’s busiest afternoon—late applications may not get to the post office until after the weekend.

“Mid-week is probably the best day,” says Baker. 

Be prepared for your passport picture.

Residents can bring a passport picture, provided it fits the official requirements, but can also have their picture taken at the Chancery Clerk’s office for a fee of $15. 

Those getting their picture taken should follow a few simple rules: no glasses, no headgear (unless medically necessary) and no big smiles. “Just a simple grin will do,” Baker says. 

Another little known rule: “A lot of people don’t know this, but we cannot take pictures if you’re in camouflage.” Wearing camo in a passport could be mistaken as an official uniform, creating confusion down the road.

Bring the right payment method for your passport application.

For passport applicants over the age of 15, the fee for the regular delivery of a passport book is $130. The fee for younger applicants is $100. Payment for the passport is required to be by check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State.

There is a $35 processing fee, as well, which can be paid with a bank check, money order, credit or debit card or cash to the Lafayette County Chancery Clerk. Personal checks aren’t accepted.

When in doubt, ask questions!

Baker’s top tip for the passport process is to lean on the help of the Chancery Clerk’s team. 

“Sometimes people come in nervous,” she says, “but you know, I would just love to say, ‘Just don’t be so stressed out.’ We will help you do everything or do our best to help you settle whatever issue there is.”

 

The dedicated passport agents don’t just help locals. Residents from New Albany, Batesville and even Memphis have discovered the convenience and personalized services offered by the Chancery Clerk’s office, making it a regional passport resource.

“We did over a thousand passports last year,” says Chancery Clerk Mike Roberts. “The word’s getting out about how much easier and faster the process is here.” 

With shorter wait times and personal assistance from the Chancery Clerk’s team, securing a passport can truly be a stress-free experience. If you have questions, Baker suggests contacting the office or visiting during business hours.

“Someone can come anytime,” she says, “and we’ll explain everything.”