St. Clair County Circuit Clerk

The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk operates a passport acceptance counter on the third floor of the historic county courthouse at 10 Public Square, right in the heart of downtown Belleville. Because the clerk's office already handles vital records and court paperwork every day, staff here are well practiced at reviewing government forms and witnessing the signatures that a first-time passport application requires.

This is a strong pick for applicants who want to combine a passport errand with other county business, or who prefer a civic building over a busy post office lobby. Bring your completed Form DS-11, proof of citizenship, a valid photo ID with a photocopy, and separate payments for the State Department fee and the acceptance fee. The counter does not renew passports by mail on your behalf, so eligible renewals should be sent directly using Form DS-82.

The courthouse sits a few steps from the other Belleville acceptance sites, so if the wait is long you have nearby alternatives across town.

Passport acceptance at government offices is usually handled by appointment or during set counter hours, so call ahead before you drive to the Public Square to confirm current availability and whether photos are taken on site. If you also need to apply elsewhere in the region, the Illinois passport guide lists other acceptance facilities across the state.