Following the introduction of requiring passport applications for some customers in March, the Kitsap County Courthouse reported between May 12 and Aug. 11 that 1,131 passport applications were completed.

Since March 24, the courthouse requires appointments for passport applications on weekdays apart from Wednesdays when walk-in services are offered.

The courthouse averages about 18 appointments a day with 1-2 applicants per appointment. It can process up to 36 applications on days where appointments are required, said county spokesperson Krista Carlson.

In 2023, Kitsap County processed 5,101 applications and in 2024, 5,036 were processed, Carlson said. The courthouse anticipates similar numbers this year, and has processed 3,496 passport applications as of Aug. 12.

Carlson said Kitsap County is able to process about 40 applications on Wednesdays as part of its walk-in services. The courthouse doesn’t plan to change the current system as it’s working well for both staff and community members, she said.

Regarding limited resources and concerns about future budget cuts, Carlson said passport services are not a required service they must provide and are one of several programs they will review in the future as part of the budgeting process. The program does bring in revenue through fees, she said.

“We want the public to know passport services remain readily available through our appointment system. Citizens can easily access comprehensive passport information and schedule appointments through our website,” she said.

For passport appointment information, visit kitsap.gov/clerk