Published on November 15, 2019

Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello and East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov are sponsoring a special Passport Day for residents on Thursday, December 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. locally at the East Windsor Municipal Building located at 16 Lanning Boulevard.   

The County Clerk office staff will be at the East Windsor Municipal Building to process US Passport applications on-site for East Windsor and other County residents.  Mayor Janice Mironov stated, “I am delighted that we are bringing this valuable service to East Windsor and helping our residents with their passport applications by providing a convenient local option.   US Passports are a primary form of ID required for international as well as domestic travel, and this county clerk passport service day allows individuals to efficiently complete the application process.”

Residents are encouraged to call (609) 989-6473 to reserve a specific time.  Walk-in applicants will be accommodated but may have to wait.  Passport photos are also available on-site.  

To apply for a US Passport, residents will need 1) Proof of US citizenship in the form of a state certified birth certificate, a US naturalization certificate or a previous US Passport; and 2) Proof of identity in the form of a current driver’s license or state issued identification card. A US Passport is valid for ten years for adults and five years for minors (under 16). The rate for a passport is $110 for adults and $80 for minors plus a processing fee of $35.  The federal government requires a separate check for each passport application. Passport photos can be taken on-site for $15 or $10 for senior citizens and minors. The Clerk’s Office will accept checks or money orders for payment.  No cash or credit cards will be accepted.

The U.S. Department of State requires the full names of a passport applicant’s parents to be listed on all certified birth certificates to be considered as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship.  This requirement applies to all U.S. Passport applicants, regardless of age.  Under the new Federal mandate, certified birth certificates missing parental information will not be accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship.

For children, Federal passport guidelines require both parents to appear in person -- or one parent in person with required documentation -- when applying for a passport for a child under 16. 

For those who will be unable to participate in this passport event, the Mercer County Clerk’s office processes US Passport applications on a regular basis, at County Clerk’s Office, 209 South Broad Street in Trenton and is open from Monday to Friday 8 am to 4:00 pm and Wednesdays until 6:30 pm.  Individuals can also apply for a US Passport at the Mercer County Connection located at the Hamilton Square Shopping Center on Highway 33 and Paxson Avenue in Hamilton and is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 7:30 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Passport photos are available at both locations.

For further information on US Passport requirements, and needed personal documents to obtain a passport, residents should visit www.mercercounty.org and click on County Clerk or call (609) 989-6473.