The Clerk's office will process your application and forward it to a passport agency, where your passport will be printed. To avoid any delays or cancellations of travel, be sure to apply for the passport well in advance, at least 6 weeks. Passports issued to adults are good for 10 years. Children passports expire after 5 years. If you currently have a 10-year passport which will expire in the next year or has been expired for less than two years, you may not have to appear in person at a clerk of courts office.
Some countries also require visas.
Contact a travel agency to learn which countries require visas. Follow this link to the U.S. State Department for more information. If you love to travel this Guide is for you. U.S. State Department - More passport information from the United States of America.