Passport Acceptance Facilities in Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga County encompasses Cleveland and its inner-ring suburbs. The Cuyahoga County Probate Court at 1 Lakeside Ave W is the primary county-level acceptance facility and requires appointments for passport services. On-site photo service is available at $15.
Cuyahoga County was significantly impacted by library closures. The Cuyahoga County Public Library had one of the most active passport acceptance networks in Ohio, operating acceptance services at multiple branches. Residents who used the library system now need the Probate Court or USPS alternatives.
Cuyahoga County Probate Court
No — appointment required
Yes — on-site $15
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm
cuyahoga-county30 book / cuyahoga-county00 child
Cuyahoga5
USPS Cleveland Main Post Office
Limited — call ahead
Yes — $18
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm
Cuyahoga5 (card accepted)
What to Bring to Your Cuyahoga County Appointment
For urgent applications, Cleveland residents can use the Cincinnati Regional Passport Agency (the closest regional agency to Northeast Ohio). Book appointments through travel.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778.
- 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 Cleveland.
- Check or money order: cuyahoga-county30 (passport book) payable to "U.S. Department of State"For children under 16: cuyahoga-county00. Add Cuyahoga0 for a passport card. No cash accepted for the State Dept fee.
- Payment for Cuyahoga5 acceptance fee (to the facility — many accept debit/credit)
Walk-In Passport Applications in Cuyahoga County
Walk-in availability at the Cuyahoga County Probate Court: No — appointment required. For USPS in Cuyahoga County: Limited — call ahead. 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 Cuyahoga 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 Cuyahoga County
On-site passport photo services at Cuyahoga County Probate Court: Yes — on-site $15. The nearby USPS location offers on-site photos for $18. Other options near Cleveland: CVS Pharmacy (cuyahoga-county6.99), Walgreens (cuyahoga-county6.99), Walmart Photo Center (1 Lakeside Ave W, Cleveland, OH 44113.44), FedEx Office (cuyahoga-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 — Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga County Probate Court: Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm. 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 Cuyahoga 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 (+Cuyahoga County Probate Court0) 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 Ohio were removed from the State Department's acceptance facility program. The two options above — the Cuyahoga County Probate Court and the USPS location — are your primary alternatives in Cuyahoga County. See our library alternatives guide for more detail.