Passports

U.S. Department of State regulations, effective May 1, 2011, require that Passport Acceptance Agents have no overlapping duties between the Passport Acceptance Program and the birth document print and/or issuance functions of the Town Clerk's office.

In order to comply with these new regulations and continue our participation in the Passport Acceptance Program, one member of the Town Clerk's office has been designated as the Passport Acceptance Agent.

Unfortunately this means that when the Passport Acceptance Agent is not in the office, the Town of Amherst will be unable to process passport applications.  It is strongly recommended that you call ahead to verify that the passport agent is available on the day you are planning to apply. The phone number is 413-259-3035. The Town Clerk's office regrets this inconvenience to our customers.

We hope that you will come to the Amherst Town Clerk's office when you are ready to apply for your passport, but should this not be possible, please click here for a list of local Passport Acceptance facilities.
  
 

Overview


Applications are accepted:
  • Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon and 2:00 - 3:30 pm

 What is Required


To file a passport you will need to provide: 


Additional Requirements for Children



Children 15 and under:

  • Child must be present
  • Both parents must be present, or
    Evidence of sole legal custody, or
    Notarized written consent of the non-applying parent, or
    Written statement explaining why non-applying parent's consent cannot be obtained
  • Birth Certificate (even if passport is available, birth certificate is required to verify parents/guardians)

Children 16 and over:


  • Child must be present
  • Only one parent need be present
  • Birth Certificate only needed in addition to passport if applicant's last name is different from applying parent
  • Child is required to sign application also

If no parent is available to sign, a third-party, in loco parentis, may:

  • Appear with a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents authorizing the third-party to apply for the passport
  • If statement or affidavit is from only one parent, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent