September is National Passport Awareness Month

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  FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Clerk’s Office will be providing free passport photos every Wednesday in September to those who apply for a passport on the same day. This promotion also recognizes September as National Passport Awareness Month.

  “Apply for a passport if you do not have one so you can be ready for anticipated or even unanticipated travel,” said Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon. “It is also important to check the passport’s expiration date because many countries require six months validity on a U.S. passport. Therefore, residents who already have U.S. passports should check the expiration date and start the renewal process about two months ahead of time.”

  According to the US State Department, passport processing time is currently 6 to 8 weeks for routine service and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service.

  To get your passport, you must have:

  • Proof of American citizenship
  • Your social security number
  • A passport photo 2×2 inches in size
  • Current identification, such as a driver’s license or government identification.

  While passport photos are available for $10 at both locations, the photo fee will be 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.

  The offices are located at 33 Mechanic Street, located in the Market Yard Parking Lot (south of Main Street), in Freehold, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and 3544 Route 66 (near Home Depot) in Neptune, 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.

  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.

  For more information, visit MonmouthCountyClerk.com or call the Freehold Passport Office at 732-431-7324 or the Neptune County Connection at 732-303-2828.