The St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office will begin issuing marriage licenses and processing passport applications May 11 by appointment only for St. Johns County residents.
Comptroller Brandon Patty said May 7 it is the first step in a phased reopening of the clerk’s office.
“Our office has been closely tracking the pandemic while fulfilling our essential court and county functions,” Patty said in a news release.
“We believe our state and county has us in a place where resuming limited face-to-face services by appointment only will give us the ability to minimize customer wait time, reduce the public’s interaction with each other and ensure social distancing for those we value most, our staff and the people of St. Johns County.”
Beginning May 11, the public will be admitted by appointment only through the north entrance of the St. Johns County Courthouse at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine. All people entering the courthouse must practice social distancing.
Appointments for marriage licenses and simple marriage ceremonies conducted at the front counter will be scheduled 9:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m. on weekdays. Admittance will be for the two individuals applying for the license and/or ceremony only; no family members, friends or guests will be admitted into the building.
Payment must be by credit card or check. Call (904) 819-3632 to schedule an appointment.
Passport appointments may be scheduled 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays for the person applying only; no friends, family members or guests will be admitted.
A money order or personal check payable to the U.S. Department of State will be required for processing fees. Acceptance fees must be paid by credit card or check.
Passport applicants may call (904) 819-3632 to schedule an appointment and to verify which application to complete before going to the clerk’s office.
The U.S. Department of State’s website advises passport applicants to expect significant delays of several months in the processing of their application.
The clerk’s office announced the resumption of marriage license and passport services through a Facebook video – a weekly service instituted during the quarantine lockdown.
To be posted each week on the St. Johns County Clerk of Court Facebook page, brief videos will continue after the clerk’s office resumes full in-person services, according to the clerk’s office.