Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller

The Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, located at 300 E. 4th Street in downtown Panama City, is the county seat office responsible for recording vital records, court functions, and — importantly for travelers — accepting U.S. passport applications on behalf of the State Department. Presided over by Clerk Bill Kinsaul, the office sits just a short walk from the Bay County Courthouse complex.

Passport applications are accepted Monday through Friday during designated intake windows: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the morning and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM in the afternoon. Walk-in applicants are welcome with a fully completed DS-11 form, original citizenship documents, and a valid photo ID, though bringing all materials ready in advance speeds up the process considerably. Fees payable to the U.S. Department of State must be submitted by money order or cashier's check; the Clerk's office also charges a separate acceptance fee.

The Clerk's office is a good option for applicants who prefer a government window environment and daytime flexibility without the need to book a USPS appointment weeks out. For a broader look at passport locations across the state, see the Florida passport offices guide.

Arrive with a fully completed DS-11 form, original proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a valid government-issued photo ID, and fees in money order or cashier's check. The Clerk's office does not offer passport photos, so arrange those separately before your visit. Call ahead at (850) 763-9061 to confirm the intake schedule has not changed. For all Panama City acceptance locations, visit the Panama City passport offices page.