Passport Services Offered At Toms River Post Office

TOMS RIVER, NJ — If you're in need of a passport, whether it's for a trip overseas or because you want an alternate form of identification, getting one will no longer require a trip to the county clerk's office.

The Toms River Post Office will be opening its new Passport Center this Friday, Sept. 8, at the building on West Water Street.

U.S. Post Office officials said the new Passport Center is the first of its kind in central and southern New Jersey, offering one-stop services for applying for passports and passport cards, and for obtaining passport photos.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the center is set for 11 a.m. Friday and will include Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher, U.S. Post Office South Jersey A/District Manager Jim Drummond and Toms River Postmaster Tom Wagner. The public is invited to attend the festivities.

“A passport center dedicated specifically to providing passport services staffed by full-time passport agents makes the application process quicker and more convenient for prospective international travelers across the Toms River area,” Wagner said.

Passport appointment hours at the new Toms River Passport Center are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Passport service is also available for walk-in customers Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no walk-in service available on Saturday at the Toms River center.

If you're planning to travel, you should apply for a passport or passport card at least two months before your planned departure.

If you're applying for a passport or renewing one, here is the documentation you should bring:

Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as:

• A previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport
• Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county, or state (Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable)
• Consular report of birth abroad or birth certificate
• Naturalization certificate
• Certificate of citizenship

In addition, one current ID is required, such as:

• Naturalization certificate
• Valid driver’s license
• Current government ID (city, state or federal)
• Current military ID (military and dependents)

The passport application also requires a recent passport photograph, which should be 2 inches by 2 inches square. The photo should be taken against a white background and the person should be facing the camera straight on and not smiling.

Postal clerks at the Passport Center also offer passport photo services for $15 per photo.

The cost for a passport book is $135 for adults (16 years and older), with separate payments of $110 paid to the State Department for the passport application fee and $25 to the Postal Service for its processing fee (set by the Department of State). For children under 16 years old, the cost is $105, with separate payments of $80 and $25 respectively.

The cost of passport cards for adults (16 years and older) is $55: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for the processing fee; and a $30 separate payment to the State Department for the passport application fee. The passport card cost for those under 16 is $40: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee; and a $15 separate payment to the State Department for the passport application fee.

NOTE: Children under 16 must be accompanied by both parents when applying for a passport or passport card.

To make the process as quick as possible, applicants are strongly encouraged to print and complete their applications ahead of time by going online at usps.com/passport. Do not sign the application form, as the passport acceptance clerk must witness the signing.

In most cases, passport renewals do not require an in-person application process; full information is available at travel.state.gov.

All applications are sent to the U.S. State Department for final processing and approval.

Image via Morguefile