Obtaining a US Passport in Pittsburgh

Most of the following information comes from the Pittsburgh Passport Office's answering machine message.
Read about the requirements for applying for a passport.

Joyce Lee Itkin
Clerk of Courts, Allegheny County Passport Division
County Court House, Room 222
436 Grant St (between Fifth and Forbes Ave)
(412) 350 - 5770 for recorded passport info
(412) 350 - 6071 for more information

Passport Office Hours are 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday, and on Thursday they are open until 7pm (but use the Forbes Ave entrance after 5pm).

For status of a renewal application, call the Renewal Center in New Hampshire at (900) 225 - 5674

To apply for a passport you need to visit a passport agent. In addition to the downtown Courthouse office, you can also apply at Post Offices in McKeesport, Dormont (W Liberty), Washington, Charleroi, Greensburg, McKnight Road, Johnstown, New Kensington, Penn Hills, Pleasant Hills, Altoona, or New Castle. Call the county clerk for addresses.

Required Items:
  1. Certified Birth Certificate If you were born in Pennsylvania you can get a copy from the Pennsylvania State Office Building located on Liberty Ave. The Nationwide Vital Check can provide birth certificates from any state, but I don't have general info for them. Call the County Clerk and be ready to tell them the town and state in which you were born. If you were born in New Jersey, call (609) 633 - 2860. They will require your current daytime phone/address, both parents' names, and your mother's maiden name. Overnight delivery is possible, for an extra fee. The birth certificate will cost about $20-$30.
  2. Photo ID (driver's license, school ID, employee ID)
  3. 2 passport photos (can be taken at passport office for $10)
  4. Completed application
  5. Fee $65 for adults, $40 for minors
Renewals can be done by mail. Forms available at post office.

A new passport takes 3-4 weeks to process. Renewal takes 4-6 weeks. You can expedite this by paying the county clerk an additional $30 for "expedited" service, and your passport will be returned within 4 business days. Note: one clerk claimed expedited service was only available if you are departing in one week, another gave no such restriction. Good luck.

ADDENDUM: 14 Apr 97. I just tried to get expedited service, but was denied. However, I was told that if I bring an official letter from CMU stating that my passport must be processed ASAP next time, they would be able (read "willing") to expedite it.

Useful links

  • US Government Passport Services
  • Download a copy of the passport application in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format
    • mwm@ri.cmu.edu