Mercer County Passport Day In East Windsor Set For Oct. 26

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ — Mercer County residents will have the chance to apply for a passport at at a close, convenient location during a special Passport Day event in East Windsor later this month. The event is set for Thursday Oct. 26, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the East Windsor Municipal Building, 16 Lanning Boulevard.

“Travelers who have not yet applied for a passport, should not hesitate, because the overall demand for passports has been rising due to changes in US travel requirements, which now requires travelers to have passports for air, land and sea travel outside of the United States, including Caribbean islands, Canada and Mexico,” Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello said.

“I am delighted that we are bringing this valuable service to East Windsor and helping our local residents with their passport applications by providing a convenient local option,” East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov said.

Passport applications will be processed on site, and passport photos will also be available. The event will feature full services for passport processing of applications, such as help filling out applications from registered passport agents, photos, and payment without leaving their local municipality.

Residents are encouraged to call 609-989-6473 to reserve a specific time. Walk-in applicants will be accommodated, but they may have to wait.

To apply for a US Passport, residents will need:

• Proof of US citizenship in the form of a state certified birth certificate, a US naturalization certificate or a previous US Passport; and
• Proof of identity in the form of a current driver’s license or state issued identification card.

A US Passport is valid for 10 years for adults and five years for minors. The new rates for a passport are $110 for adults and $80 for minors plus a processing fee of $25.

The federal government requires a separate check for each passport application. Passport photos will be taken on-site for $15 or $10 for senior citizens and minors. The Mercer County Clerk’s Office will accept checks or money orders for payment. No cash or credit cards will be accepted.

Effective April 1, 2011, 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. The new requirements will apply 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.
Federal passport guidelines now 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, 240 West State Street in Trenton. It is open from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesdays until 6:30 p.m.

One can also apply for a U.S. Passport at the Mercer County Connection located at the Hamilton Square Shopping Center on Highway 33 and Paxson Avenue in Hamilton. It is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Passport photos are available at both locations.

For more information on U.S. 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.

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