St. Augustine Passports in 2026: 10 Steps to Apply, 3 Local Offices and Fees From $50 to $195

St. Augustine and St. Johns County residents can apply for a new U.S. passport at three St. Johns County Clerk of Court offices, with total application costs starting at $50 for a child's passport card or $165 for an adult passport book. The main St. Augustine office accepts walk-ins, while the Julington Creek and Ponte Vedra Beach offices require appointments.

A first-time adult passport book costs $130 in federal fees plus a separate $35 acceptance fee paid to the Clerk's Office. Expedited processing costs another $60, and passport photos at the Clerk's Office are available for $15.

There is one important distinction: The Clerk's Office accepts new passport applications, but it does not process routine adult passport renewals. Eligible adults can renew directly through the U.S. Department of State, often without visiting a local office.

Here are 10 steps to apply, including where to go, what documents to bring, how to pay and how much time to allow before traveling.

Step 1: Decide whether you need a passport book, card or both

The first decision is which document to purchase. The U.S. Department of State offers a passport book and a passport card, but they cannot be used interchangeably for every type of international travel.

A passport book is valid for international travel by air, land or sea. A passport card is less expensive but cannot be used for international air travel.

The card can be used for certain land and sea entries from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean countries. Both documents also qualify as acceptable identification for domestic air travel.

Both documents are valid for 10 years when issued to adults and five years for children younger than 16.

Someone planning to fly internationally needs a passport book, not just a card. Travelers considering only a passport card should verify that it meets the requirements for their particular trip before applying.

Step 2: Check whether you need to apply in person

Not everyone needs to visit the Clerk's Office. The correct application method depends on whether the applicant is getting a first passport, renewing an existing passport or applying for a child.

First-time adult applicants generally use Form DS-11 and apply in person. Children younger than 16 must also use DS-11 and apply in person, even if they previously held a passport.

An adult may need DS-11 when their most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago, was lost or stolen, or otherwise does not meet renewal requirements. Eligible adults renewing an existing passport generally use Form DS-82 by mail or may qualify for online renewal.

The St. Johns County Clerk explicitly states that its offices do not process eligible adult renewals. That means a person who qualifies to renew should follow federal renewal instructions rather than scheduling an unnecessary Clerk appointment.

Step 3: Choose one of the 3 St. Johns County passport offices

The St. Johns County Clerk provides passport acceptance and photo services at three locations. Their schedules differ, particularly when it comes to appointments.

The main Public Service Center operates on a walk-in basis, so applicants do not need to book a passport appointment there.

Residents can schedule an annex appointment through the Clerk's official passport page at stjohnsclerk.com/passports. They can also call 904-819-3600 with questions about appointments and office availability.

The published hours are regular service hours and do not guarantee availability on holidays or during unexpected office closures. Checking the office schedule before traveling can prevent an unnecessary trip.

Step 4: Complete the correct passport application

Applicants using Form DS-11 can download the form or complete it using the State Department's online form-filling service. The Clerk's Office encourages applicants to prepare and print their forms before arriving.

The application must be printed on single-sided paper and completed using black ink. Applicants should not reduce or enlarge the printed form, use correction fluid or make unauthorized alterations.

Most importantly, do not sign Form DS-11 before the acceptance agent instructs you to sign it. Signing early can create a problem because the acceptance agent must witness the signature.

Federal passport forms are available at travel.state.gov. Applicants should use current official forms rather than relying on an older copy saved to their computer.

Children younger than 16 use Form DS-11 every time they apply. Adults who qualify for renewal should follow the separate federal renewal procedure, which does not require the Clerk's $35 acceptance fee.

Step 5: Gather proof of citizenship and identification

A completed application is not enough by itself. Applicants must provide acceptable evidence of U.S. citizenship and identity, along with the required photocopies.

For citizenship, the Clerk lists documents such as a certified U.S. birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a qualifying previously issued U.S. passport. A U.S. birth certificate should include the applicant's parents' full names.

For identification, commonly accepted documents include a valid driver's license, state identification card or military identification. Applicants who cannot provide an accepted primary photo ID may need additional secondary identification.

The Clerk requests photocopies of the front and back of citizenship and identity documents. Federal instructions specify that photocopies should be on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper and printed on one side.

Applicants should bring the original or properly certified citizenship document, rather than assuming that an ordinary photocopy is sufficient. The Department of State reviews the submitted documents before issuing the passport.

Step 6: Get a passport photo for $15 or bring your own

St. Johns County's three Clerk offices offer passport photo services for $15 per person.

Applicants are not required to purchase the photo from the Clerk. They may bring their own photograph if it meets the U.S. Department of State's requirements.

The photograph must measure 2 by 2 inches, be in color and have been taken within the preceding six months. It must show the applicant's current appearance against a plain white or off-white background.

The Clerk also lists restrictions involving glasses, hats, headphones, uniforms and exaggerated facial expressions. Selfies and photographs that do not meet the federal specifications are not acceptable.

For a family of four, purchasing four photos at the Clerk's published rate would cost $60. Bringing compliant photographs obtained elsewhere is an alternative, although the applicant remains responsible for meeting federal requirements.

Step 7: Calculate the total passport fees before your visit

Passport applications require two separate payments: one to the federal government and another to the local acceptance facility.

The Department of State sets the federal application fee. The St. Johns County Clerk collects the additional $35 acceptance fee when processing Form DS-11.

Here are the current totals for new applications.

Source: U.S. Department of State passport fee schedule and St. Johns County Clerk. Totals exclude photos, expedited service, shipping and applicable card-processing charges.

An eligible adult renewing a passport book through the Department of State generally pays $130 without the Clerk's acceptance fee. Renewing a passport card costs $30, while renewing both costs $160.

For a family with two adults and two children applying for passport books for the first time, the combined application and acceptance fees would be $600. If all four also purchase $15 photos at the Clerk's Office, the total would rise to $660.

These examples use published government charges and do not include optional expedited processing or shipping.

Step 8: Bring the right payment methods — cash will not cover everything

The payment rules are among the most important details to check before visiting a St. Johns County passport office.

The federal application fee must be paid by check, cashier's check or money order, payable to the U.S. Department of State. The Clerk's Office cannot simply combine that payment with its local fee into one credit card transaction.

For the separate Clerk fee, the main office accepts cash, debit cards, credit cards, checks, cashier's checks and money orders. Debit and credit card transactions carry a 3.5% convenience fee.

The two annexes have an additional restriction: Julington Creek and Ponte Vedra Beach do not accept cash payments. Applicants visiting either annex should bring an acceptable check or payment card for the Clerk's portion.

The Clerk also offers an optional express-mail service for sending applications to the processing center for $33.41. That local shipping charge is separate from the federal expedited processing fee.

Step 9: Decide whether to pay for expedited processing

The Department of State lists routine passport processing at four to six weeks and expedited processing at two to three weeks as of Oct. 22, 2026.

Expedited service costs an additional $60 per application. An adult applying for a first passport book would therefore pay $225 in combined federal and Clerk fees instead of $165, before photos or shipping.

These processing times do not include all mailing time. The State Department warns that an application may take up to two weeks to reach the processing center and another two weeks to reach the customer after issuance.

That means a four-to-six-week routine processing estimate should not be treated as a guarantee that a passport will arrive within six calendar weeks. Travelers should consider the full delivery timeline before making reservations.

The State Department's optional $26.87 return delivery service applies to passport books, not cards. Expediting a passport application also does not automatically include that return-delivery upgrade.

Step 10: Submit your application and track its progress

Once the form, identification, citizenship documents, photograph and separate payments are ready, an applicant can submit the application at the appropriate Clerk location.

The acceptance agent reviews the application materials, verifies identification and witnesses the required signature. The application is then forwarded for federal processing; the Clerk does not decide whether a passport will be issued.

Applicants can monitor their status through the State Department at passportstatus.state.gov. The agency also provides application updates through the email address supplied on the form.

Anyone whose travel plans change after applying can contact the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778. The Clerk's passport information page also lists that number for applicants seeking help with an application already submitted.

Applicants should respond promptly if the State Department requests additional information. Missing or incorrect documents can extend processing beyond the published estimates.

What if you need a passport within 14 days?

Travelers who need a passport urgently may need a federal passport agency appointment rather than a regular Clerk's Office visit.

The State Department allows qualifying applicants with international travel within 14 calendar days to seek an urgent appointment. Applicants who need a foreign visa may qualify for an agency appointment within 28 days of international travel.

The St. Johns County Clerk's FAQ directs urgent applicants to the Miami Passport Agency and identifies 877-487-2778 as the contact number. Passport agencies require appointments and proof of international travel.

The Department of State's separate urgent-travel process is not the same as paying $60 for ordinary expedited processing. Travelers facing an immediate departure should review federal appointment eligibility before submitting an application through a local acceptance facility.

What parents need to know about children's passports

Children younger than 16 must apply in person using Form DS-11, and both parents or legal guardians generally must participate in providing consent. Federal law requires additional documentation when one parent cannot attend.

When one parent is unavailable but both have custody, the absent parent may use Form DS-3053, a notarized statement of consent, together with a photocopy of the identification presented to the notary. The signed consent generally must be submitted within 90 days.

Other circumstances, including sole legal custody, can require court orders, birth certificates or additional evidence instead. Parents should review the correct federal requirements before scheduling an appointment.

A child's passport is valid for five years and cannot be renewed through the ordinary adult renewal process. Even if the child already has a passport, a new in-person application is required when another one is needed before age 16.

How we did this

Jax Times reviewed the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller's official passport services and FAQ pages, along with the U.S. Department of State's application instructions, fee schedules and processing-time guidance.

Local addresses, office schedules, payment restrictions, photo prices and optional shipping charges came from the Clerk's Office. Federal application fees, document requirements and processing times came from the State Department.

All information was reviewed for Oct. 22, 2026. Applicants should confirm current fees and processing times at stjohnsclerk.com/passports and travel.state.gov before applying.