BRADENTON, Fla. — The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is hosting a special passport application event from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 as an added convenience before the passport execution fee increases in April.
Located at 1115 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton, the event will take place at the Manatee County Historic Courthouse, where Manatee County Clerk of the Court staff will assist customers throughout the passport application process. The Manatee County Clerk of Court is equipped to take passport photos onsite for an additional $16.05 fee.
“We encourage customers who are unable to apply during regular business hours to take advantage of these special Saturday hours,” said Angel Colonneso, the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “In an effort to serve as many customers as possible, we recommend individuals please make appointments for the event.”
Effective April 2, 2018, the U.S. Department of State is increasing the passport execution fee from $25 to $35. This fee, which is administered and set by the U.S. Department of State, only applies to U.S. passport applicants using the DS-11 form, such as first-time applicants over 16, children under 16 and applicants who re-apply after reporting their previous passport lost or stolen. The $10 passport fee increase does not apply to adults eligible to renew their passports by mail using the DS-82 form. Renewal customers can mail their application and supporting documentation directly to the U.S. Department of State.
Appointments will be scheduled in 15-minute increments per person with the last appointment time at 12:30 p.m. All customers requesting an appointment will receive an email reply confirming their appointment time. To schedule an appointment, contact the Manatee County Clerk of the Court via email at passportevent@manateeclerk.com.
To get a start on the passport application process, individuals can complete and print a passport application form in advance at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/forms.html.
To prepare for the passport application process, the U. S. Department of State has provided a tool guide to help customers apply at
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/form-finder.html.
About the Manatee County Clerk of the Court
The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller as a public trustee, independently elected to protect public funds and public records while executing the functions of Clerk of the Circuit Court, County Comptroller, Treasurer and Auditor, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners and County Recorder. The Clerk oversees a staff of more than 275 people, responsible for performing nearly 1,000 constitutional or statutory functions or duties, representing the broadest and most diverse mantle of responsibility of any locally elected official. The citizens of Manatee County elect the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller to a four-year term. Currently, Angelina M. Colonneso serves as the Clerk of the Court. For more information, call 941-749-1800 or visit www.ManateeClerk.com.