MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Clerk’s Passport Division is taking its passport operation “on the road” starting on Thursday, October 8 in Jefferson to make it more convenient for people to obtain passports, especially for those who may not be able to come to the County Clerk’s passport office in Morristown or to get to any passport office due to their working hours.
“We think this service will be of great help to many Morris County residents whose busy schedules make it difficult to make the time to obtain passports, which are more vital than ever for travel and also for identification purposes,’’ said Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi. “We hope to offer convenient passport service at various locations across Morris County in the future.
The “Passport Outreach Program’’ will benefit anyone in need of a new or renewed passport, said Grossi. The passport session in Jefferson will be held on Thursday, October 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Camp Jefferson, which is located at 81 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong.
Appointments are required for the Passport Outreach Program, and can be made by calling (973) 285-6161.
Grossi urges anyone interested in using the service to carefully review what they must bring to the passport center, and to call her office if they have any questions.
“We certainly want this process to go smoothly for applicants, so it’s important they understand what is required to obtain or renew a passport,’’ Grossi said.
Here is what you need:
- Citizenship evidence: A certified birth certificate (not a photocopy) listing both parents’ names, or a current passport, or a naturalization certificate, or a consular report of birth abroad.
- Photograph: One color 2 x 2 photo with white or light background (photos can be obtained on site for a $10 fee)
- Proof of Identification: A driver’s license, previously issued passport, government or military ID, or a naturalization certificate.
Payment can be made only by personal check, money order or bank check. Not by credit or debit cards. Cash will NOT be accepted.
There will be two separate payments to be made. Please bring adequate blank checks.
If you must expedite the passport process, an expedited process fee is $60.00 per application and $14.85 for overnight express mail.
Minors must appear with both parents, properly identified. The child’s birth certificate issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or the Department of Health and stating both of the parent’s names also must be submitted.
All persons participating in the passport on the road process must arrive 15-to-20 minutes ahead of your appointment time to fill out the required application, using black ink only.
Grossi advised applicants to allow at least several weeks to receive their passports before traveling.
In addition to the “Passport Outreach Program” program, the county clerk’s passport office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday with Tuesday and Wednesday evening hours until 8:00 p.m. (but walk-ins must arrive by 7:30 p.m.).
The county clerk’s office is on the first floor of the Morris County Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown.
More passport information, including costs, may be obtained by calling the Morris County Passport Office at (973) 285-6161 or by clicking here.
National passport information can be obtained by calling 1-877-487-2778 or by clicking here.
