Passport Services

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR U.S. PASSPORT APPLICATIONS FOR FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS:

You must apply in person if:

• You are a first time applicant

• Your previous passport was issued before you were 16 years of age or older

• Your previous passport expired more than five years ago

• All minors must be present and both parents must execute the application. Minors age 16 and over must execute the application. One parent should accompany minors ages 16 to 17 unless the minor has a valid driver's license (not a learner's permit). Parental relationship document must also be submitted. Proof of parental relationship include: U.S. birth certificate, foreign birth certificate, adoption decree, divorce/custody decree or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a United States Citizen (FS-240)

TO APPLY FOR A U.S. PASSPORT, YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1. Proof of Citizenship

Be prepared to surrender the documents listed below. They will be returned by the Department of State approximately 1 week after receiving your passport.

U.S. BORN

U.S. born persons need to submit their Original Certified U.S. Birth Certificate along with a clear photocopy. The birth certificate must list both parents' names, have a raised seal and a filing date from the New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics or city of birth. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable.  Birth certificates issued by any Registrar's Office within Hudson County cannot be accepted. A new birth certificate must be obtained from the New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics in Trenton (609-292-4087 or 609-633-2860). 

CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16

Effective February 1, 2004, all minors must be present and both parents must execute the application and provide ID. Original proof of parental relationship must also be submitted. Proof of parental relationship include:

• U.S. birth certificate
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce/Custody decree
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a United States Citizen (FS-240)

MINORS AGES 16 AND 17
Minors ages 16 and 17 must execute the application. One parent should accompany minors ages 16 and 17 unless the minor has a valid driver's license (not a learner's permit). Please see the back of DS-11 for more information.

FOREIGN-BORN
Foreign-born persons must submit the original naturalization certificate along with a clear photocopy. Foreign-born children of naturalized parents may apply for a U.S. passport, provided the child was under the age of 18 when the parents became naturalized. Please call 732-615-2014 for more information about requirements.

2. Proof of Identity (Bring necessary original documents and photocopy of front and back of ID)

• Valid New Jersey driver's license (ages 18 and over)
• Naturalization Certificate
• Prior U.S. passport
• Government employee ID
• Official Military ID card
• Out of State Driver's License (requires a second form of ID*)
• State Issued non-driver ID (requires a second form of ID*)
• Children 15 years of age: both parents must be present and both must present valid ID
• Children 16-17 years of age: one parent must be present and must present valid ID

*Types of Secondary ID include: social security card, health insurance card, employment ID, school ID

3. Fees
All fees are set by the Department of State and are non-refundable. All passport processing facilities charge the same fees.

Passport Application Fee: This fee must be paid by check or money order payable to the “U.S. Department of State”. A separate check/money order is required for each application. Reference the  applicant’s full name and date of birth in the lower left portion of the check/money order.

Acceptance/Execution Fee: This fee can be paid by cash, check, money order, Visa or Master Card payable to the "Township of Middletown".

For a full list of fees please click on the link below.

• United States Passport Fees 

The U.S. Passport Card

The Department of State began offering a U.S. Passport Card during the summer of 2008, in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book.  The card has the same period of validity as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children ages 15 and younger.

The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The passport card may not be used to travel by air. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and is adjudicated to the exact same standards.

FORMS

A previous passport book holder, eligible to use Form DS-82, may apply for a passport card as a renewal.  First time applicants for a U.S. passport, and those not eligible to use the DS-82, should apply for a passport card using Form DS-11.

LINK TO FORMS AND INFORMATION FOR U.S. PASSPORT AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Up-to-date access to forms, fees, guidelines, and current processing times can be found on the U.S. Passport website using the link below.

•   U.S. Passport Information and Guidelines