September is National Passport Awareness Month

County Clerk announces free passport photos on Wednesdays

 with same-day passport application

FREEHOLD, NJ – In recognition of September being National Passport Awareness Month, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon has announced that her office will offer free passport photos every Wednesday in September to those who apply for a passport on the same day at the Monmouth County Clerk’s Passport Offices in Freehold and Neptune.

“It is important to be ready for anticipated or even unanticipated travel and to apply for a passport if you do not have one,” said Hanlon.

“Residents who already have U.S. passports should check the expiration date and start the renewal process about two months ahead of time,” said Hanlon. “It is also important to check the passport’s expiration date because many countries require six months validity on a U.S. passport.”

To obtain a passport, it is necessary to have proof of American citizenship, your 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; the photo fee is waived on Wednesdays in September for those who apply for a passport on the same day at the Monmouth County Clerk’s Passport Offices in Freehold and Neptune.

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

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

• Freehold – Monmouth County Clerk’s Office at 33 Mechanic Street, located in the Market Yard Parking Lot (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 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Information about the required documentation to apply for a passport can be found on the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office website at MonmouthCountyClerk.com or by calling the Freehold Passport Office at 732-431-7324 or the Neptune County Connection Passport Office at 732-303-2828.

Clerk Hanlon recommends that residents contact the Passport Office prior to appearing at the office to be sure of the proper documentation and payments.

For more information about the passport application process, please visit the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office website at www.MonmouthCountyClerk.com.

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