The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk’s office recently received a perfect score on its audit by the National Passport Center.

Jackie Bates, one of the workers who handles passports, said the audit checked the processing and handle of the passport application and sensitive information.

“It’s good to know you’re doing your job,” Bates said.

The audit checked to make sure workers verify the person is who they say they are via picture identification and birth certificate or by previous passport. Since the office handles Social Security numbers and dates of birth, the audit checks how the information is stored. The audit also checks that they are handling the process in a speedy manner. Expedited applications should be mailed out the same day. Regular applications are mailed out once a week, usually four or five at a time.

Bates said if there are any discrepancies in the process, they don’t turn people away. They instead follow the fraudulent process and contact the Passport Center.

Bates said the workers will be recertified this year, which requires them to take a review check test. But with the audit going well, there should be no problems.

Since the Circuit Clerk’s office handles voting and Circuit Court information, Bates said the workers are used to a system of checks and balances. However, passports are the only thing that an outside agency comes in and checks.

Over the years, Bates has become the unofficial passport leader.

“Most of the letters get addressed to Dustin or me,” she said. “I don’t really know how it happened.”

Circuit Clerk Dustin Bairfield said the credit for the perfect audit goes to all the employees. He, himself, does very little with passports.

“I’m proud of the staff for their hard work and professional manner,” he said. “I don’t have an exact number, but there’s not a lot that get 100 percent.”

For those looking to apply for a passport in the future, Bates said the most important thing is to start early.

“If you wait, it not only costs more, but it can delay your travel,” she said.

Officially, passports take about four to six weeks, but Bates said during peak seasons, such as the spring, it can take longer. Bates said the safe bet is to start the process six months ahead of time.

She said people should also check with the office first because sometimes the information found on the Internet is not accurate. Also, she said people must bring their own photo to the office.

Bates said her favorite part about taking passport applications is when families are going on trips together. With children, both parents have to come in, so everyone has to be present.

“It’s not only hectic; it’s the most rewarding,” she said.

For more information about passports, call the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 601-835-3435. It is open from 8 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.