Santa Cruz County Clerk

The Santa Cruz County Clerk's Office, housed in Room 310 of the County Government Center at 701 Ocean Street, operates as one of the more distinctive passport acceptance venues in Santa Cruz County. As a county government facility rather than a post office, it brings a different rhythm to the application process — staff are dedicated government clerks who accept DS-11 packages, verify supporting documents, and witness signatures in a quieter, civic environment a short walk from Pacific Avenue.

A notable feature of this office is its periodic Passport Saturdays program: on selected Saturdays throughout the year, the clerk's office opens from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. specifically for passport applicants, with walk-ins welcome until noon. This is particularly useful for residents who cannot take time off work on weekdays. Appointments are recommended even on Saturdays, and the office accepts checks or money orders — not credit cards or cash — for the acceptance fee, so come prepared.

For residents planning international travel on short notice, the San Francisco Passport Agency at 450 Golden Gate Avenue is approximately 75 miles away and handles urgent, appointment-only cases when travel is imminent.

Payment at the County Clerk's passport window is accepted by check or money order only — the office does not take credit cards or cash for the acceptance fee. The federal application fee (paid separately to the State Department) is paid by personal check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State. Parking at the County Government Center is free for the first one to two hours, depending on the lot. For a broader look at your passport options in the area, the Santa Cruz city passport page lists all verified acceptance locations.