Monroe County Clerk's Office

The Monroe County Clerk's Office handles U.S. passport applications from a public counter inside the County Office Building at 39 West Main Street, Room 101, in the heart of downtown Rochester. As an official government acceptance agent, its staff review your paperwork, witness your oath, and forward everything to the U.S. Department of State on your behalf.

This is a practical stop for anyone already handling other business downtown, since the Clerk also records deeds, processes DBA filings, and issues certified copies under one roof. First-time applicants and families with children tend to appreciate the deliberate, checklist-driven pace here. Passport photos are taken on site for a small fee, so you can arrive with just your citizenship evidence and identification.

If a downtown visit does not fit your schedule, compare it with the post-office windows on our Rochester passport page, or step up a level to browse acceptance sites across the state on our New York passport guide.

Bring an original proof of citizenship such as a certified birth certificate with a raised seal, plus a valid photo ID. State Department fees here are paid by check or money order, so plan that in advance. Children under 16 must appear with both parents or guardians who can prove their relationship. For post-office alternatives on the east and south sides of town, see the other counters on our Rochester listings.