Passport Acceptance Facilities in San Diego County
San Diego County borders Mexico, driving significant passport demand from residents who frequently cross the border by land (passport card is popular here) and from military personnel based at the county's numerous installations. The San Diego County Clerk at 1600 Pacific Hwy is the primary county facility.
The San Diego County Clerk has a reputation for being one of the better-run county passport operations in Southern California — appointment availability is generally better here than in LA County, and the staff is experienced with both standard and expedited applications.
San Diego County Clerk
Limited — call same morning
Yes — on-site $15
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
san-diego-county30 book / san-diego-county00 child
San Diego5
USPS San Diego Main Post Office
Yes — walk-ins accepted
Yes — $18
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm
San Diego5 (card accepted)
What to Bring to Your San Diego County Appointment
San Diego's proximity to the Mexican border makes passport cards particularly popular — many local residents apply for both book and card in the same appointment. The San Diego USPS accepts walk-ins, making it a good option if the county clerk is booked out.
- Completed DS-11 form (printed, filled out, NOT signed)Download free at travel.state.gov. Sign only when the agent instructs you at the appointment.
- Certified birth certificate (original) + photocopyMust be issued by a state or county vital records office with raised seal. Hospital birth certificates are NOT accepted.
- Government-issued photo ID (original) + front-and-back photocopy
- Passport photo — 2×2 inch, taken within last 6 monthsYes — on-site $15 on-site at the clerk. Available at the USPS location for $18. Also at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart Photo near San Diego.
- Check or money order: san-diego-county30 (passport book) payable to "U.S. Department of State"For children under 16: san-diego-county00. Add San Diego0 for a passport card. No cash accepted for the State Dept fee.
- Payment for San Diego5 acceptance fee (to the facility — many accept debit/credit)
Walk-In Passport Applications in San Diego County
Walk-in availability at the San Diego County Clerk: Limited — call same morning. For USPS in San Diego County: Yes — walk-ins accepted. Walk-in policies change seasonally and day-to-day. Always call the specific location on the morning you intend to visit and ask whether walk-ins are being accepted that day and whether the passport specialist is available. See our walk-in guide for full strategy.
Peak season (March through June) sees the most appointment demand in San Diego County. If you're applying during this window, book as early as possible — or consider expanding your search to neighboring counties if local slots are full.
Passport Photos in San Diego County
On-site passport photo services at San Diego County Clerk: Yes — on-site $15. The nearby USPS location offers on-site photos for $18. Other options near San Diego: CVS Pharmacy (san-diego-county6.99), Walgreens (san-diego-county6.99), Walmart Photo Center (1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101.44), FedEx Office (san-diego-county4.99). Photos must be 2×2 inches, white/off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months, and printed on photo paper. See our complete photo guide.
Frequently Asked Questions — San Diego County
San Diego County Clerk: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. The USPS location listed above: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm. Hours can change for holidays and staff schedules — always confirm directly with the facility before visiting. Call the facility or check their official website for the most current hours.
Yes — both the county clerk and USPS acceptance facilities in San Diego County handle child passport applications. For children under 16, both parents (or one parent with a notarized DS-3053 from the absent parent) must either attend or provide consent. The child must be physically present. See our child passport guide and DS-3053 guide for full details.
If you're traveling within 14 weeks, pay for expedited processing (+San Diego County Clerk0) when you submit at any local acceptance facility. If you're traveling within 6 weeks, you qualify for an appointment at the nearest regional passport agency — which can process applications same-day or next-day. See our expedited passport guide for the full regional agency list and booking instructions.
As of February 2026, all library passport acceptance locations in California were removed from the State Department's acceptance facility program. The two options above — the San Diego County Clerk and the USPS location — are your primary alternatives in San Diego County. See our library alternatives guide for more detail.