Fort Bend County district clerk’s passport acceptance facility passes inspection

Contributed Report
Posted 9/15/22

Beverley McGrew Walker, Fort Bend County district clerk, said that the district clerk’s passport acceptance facility has passed compliance inspection with a perfect score for the fourth consecutive year.

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Fort Bend County district clerk’s passport acceptance facility passes inspection

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Beverley McGrew Walker, Fort Bend County district clerk, said that the district clerk’s passport acceptance facility has passed compliance inspection with a perfect score for the fourth consecutive year.

Periodically, the Passport Services’ Office of Acceptance Facility Oversight (AFO) inspects Passport Acceptance Facilities in four areas: Passport Application Acceptance Procedures, Information Security, Supplies and Signage, and Training. The AFO’s focus is on protecting the integrity of the passport issuance process.

During the inspection, the AFO has three goals. First, it determines management controls for noncompliance with written guidance provided by Passport Services. Second, it mitigates the risk of fraud and misfeasance/malfeasance. Finally, it identifies and reports systemic trends and (4) assesses acceptance facilities’ compliance with Department of State regulations.

Walker credited her staff, which includes Michelle Jochen, first assistant; Courtney Paterson, division supervisor of passports; and Autumn Morrow, department supervisor of passports, for their work.

Walker said county residents are welcome to visit the facilities at the Fort Bend County Justice Center, 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Monday through Friday, or at the Sienna Annex, 5855 Sienna Springs Way on Wednesdays and Thursdays to apply for a new passport or renew an existing passport. Walker said appointments are preferred.

“Having passed inspection consecutively with an exceptionally high score of 100 should assure customers needing passports that their applications are being executed by highly trained professionals,” Walker said.

Fort Bend County, district clerk, passports