Little Silver, Shrewsbury

Feb 13, 2018

County Clerk Advises Apply for Passports in Advance    

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Although a cold winter is upon us in Monmouth County, now is the time to plan for spring travel. With spring break just a few months away, County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon reminds everyone to check their passports.

“It’s time to apply for or renew your passport if you are planning spring travel out of the country.  Many countries require six months validity on a U.S. passport, so it is critical to check the expiration date in advance if you already have a passport,” said Ms. Hanlon, who is in charge of the passport offices in Neptune and Freehold.

Spring break is one of the most popular times of year to travel. By applying for a passport now, travelers will save themselves the aggravation of rushing to get a passport, and will also save money by not having to expedite service.

In addition, to take advantage of travel deals, it is essential to have a valid passport. Ms. Hanlon reminds residents that some airlines require a valid passport number when booking international flights.

Passport applications are accepted at the County Clerk’s two Passport Offices:

• Freehold – Monmouth County Clerk’s Office located in the Market Yard (south of Main Street). The hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Neptune – Monmouth County Connection at 3544 Route 66 (near Home Depot) The hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 :00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Passport services are also available at the Mobile County Connection at the Monmouth Mall, which is open on the first Thursday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Mobile County Connection is located on the upper level of the Monmouth Mall, adjacent to Boscov’s.

To obtain a passport, it is necessary to have a certified birth certificate with a raised seal, social security number, a passport photo 2×2 inches in size, and current identification such as a driver’s license or government identification. Passport photos are available for a fee of $10 at both locations.

Parents who are making a passport application for a child under the age of 16 are required to appear together or submit additional documentation.

“Make sure to contact the Passport Office prior to appearing at a County passport office to be sure that you have the proper documentation and payments,” said Ms. Hanlon.

For more information about applying for a passport and the documentation that is needed, please go to the County Clerk’s webpage at www.monmouthcountyclerk.com, or contact the Freehold passport office at (732) 431-7324 or Neptune at (732)303-2828.