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Click Here to Schedule a Passport Appointment at the Bridgewater Branch

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The Bridgewater branch offers passport services including photo services on Tuesday mornings, Thursday evenings,  Friday afternoon, and most Saturday mornings. Click the link above to schedule.

SCLSNJ also hosts special passport events at the remaining branches throughout the System. We’ll visit each location between two and four times throughout 2023. Photo services are available during all passport appointments.

Questions? Contact a passport agent at (908) 458-8400, option 3.

Outreach Event Schedule

LOCATION

HOURS

HOW TO SCHEDULE
BOUND BROOK Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment at Bound Brook
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
BRIDGEWATER Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Thursdays 3-7 p.m.
Fridays noon-4 p.m.
Most Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.		 Click here to schedule an appointment at Bridgewater
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
HILLSBOROUGH Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment at Hillsborough
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
MANVILLE Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment at Manville
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
MONTGOMERY Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment at Montgomery
Call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
NORTH PLAINFIELD Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment at North Plainfield
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
 PEAPACK & GLADSTONE  Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m.  Click here to schedule an appointment at Peapack & Gladstone
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
SOMERVILLE Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment at Somerville
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
WARREN TOWNSHIP Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment at Warren Township
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.
WATCHUNG Select Wednesdays – 4-7 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment at Watchung
or call (908) 458-8400, option 3.

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Please Note: When filling out a passport application online, only do so via travel.state.gov – the website of the U.S. Department of State. Numerous other websites charge unnecessary fees to download and complete passport applications. Passport Applications are available free of charge both online and in-person at the Passport Desk located at the Bridgewater branch.

When in doubt, visit travel.state.gov or call one of our passport agents at (908) 458-8400, option 3.

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Can I Apply for my U.S. Passport Now?

Yes, you can now apply for routine or expedited service. Processing times begin the day the passport processing center receives your application, not the day it is mailed.

  • Routine service can take ten (10) to thirteen (13) weeks from the day an application is received by the processing facility to the day a new passport is arrives to your mailing address.
  • Expedited service (for an additional $60) can take seven (7) to nine (9) weeks from the day an application is received by the processing facility to the day a new passport is arrives to your mailing address. Send your application to us via USPS Priority Mail Express ($28.75) and pay an extra $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery of your completed passport. These services provide the fastest turnaround and protect your important documents.

More about Status Updates: It may take up to two weeks from the day you submit your application until your status shows as “In Process.” During these weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is entered into the tracking system. Even if your passport status update says, “Not Available,” your application and supporting documents are safely on their way to the processing facility. Check online for your passport status.

Planning to Travel? Apply Early! Apply at least six months before planned travel.

Do you have additional questions? Connect with a passport agent at (908) 458-8400, option 3 or passports@sclibnj.org.

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What should I bring when I apply?
Passport Application Checklist:

Must be completed in black ink. Find the DS-11 and other useful forms here.

You will be required to submit an original citizenship document and photocopy with your application to the U.S. Department of State. Original documents will be returned in a separate mailing after you have received your U.S. passport.

  • Applicants born in the U.S. need a certified birth certificate with a raised, embossed, or multicolored seal; showing the full name of the parent(s); signature of Registrar; and a filing date that is within one year of the birth issued from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or the city of birth. Children under the age of 16 must submit a photocopy of their birth certificate even if they previously had a passport.
    • New Jersey birth certificates issued by Hudson County including but not limited to Guttenburg, Jersey City, and Seacaucus are not accepted by the Department of State. A birth certificate issued by the NJ Bureau of Vital Statistics in Trenton is instead required (609-292-4087 or 609-633-2860).
  • Applicants born outside the U.S. must submit a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Consular Report of Birth, or a Certification Report of Birth Abroad. 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.

*Photocopies must be legible, printed on white letter size (8.5×11 in.) standard paper, and include the front and back of the document (if there is printed information on the back). SCLSNJ has a copy machine at each branch for your convenience.

Original proof of identity (ID) is needed for passport agent review. A photocopy will be sent with your application to the U.S. Department of State.

  • Prior U.S. Passport
  • Valid photo driver’s license
  • Government photo ID: city, state, or federal
  • Military photo ID: military and dependents, etc.
  • Naturalization Certificate

*Photocopies must be legible, printed on one side of white letter size (8.5×11 in.) standard paper, and include the front and back of the ID (if there is printed information on the back). SCLSNJ has a copy machine at each branch for your convenience.

You must provide your Social Security number in order to apply for your U.S. Passport.

Credit, cash, check, or money order payable to Somerset County Library System.

Acceptance Fee Photo Fee Express Mail Delivery Fee*
$35 + $10 + $28.75

*Purchase Express Mail Delivery for 1-2 day shipping of your passport application from SCLSNJ to the U.S. Department of State.

Payment by a separate check or money order per applicant to the U.S. Department of State.
The applicant’s full name and date of birth must be on the memo line of the check or money order.

Passport Books are valid for international travel by any means of transportation via air, sea, or land. Passport Cards are only valid for travel by land or sea from the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, and Canada.
Passport Book Routine Service
(Up to 10 weeks)		 *Expedited Service
(Up to 6 weeks)		 **Express Mail Return
for Expedited Service
Adults (Age 16 and up) $130 + $60 = $190 Routine Processing
+ $19.53 = $149.53
Expedited Processing
+ $19.53 = $209.53
Children (Under age 16) $100 + $60 = $160 Routine Processing
+ $19.53 = $119.53
Expedited Processing
+ $19.53= $179.53
Passport Card Routine Service
(Up to 10 weeks)		 *Expedited Service
(Up to 6 weeks)		 **Express Mail Return
for Expedited Service
Adults (Age 16 and up) $30 + $60 = $90 N/A
Children (Under age 16) $15 + $60 = $75 N/A
Passport Book and Card Routine Service
(Up to 10 weeks)		 *Expedited Service
(Up to 6 weeks)		 **Express Mail Return
for Expedited Service
Adults (Age 16 and up) $160 + $60 = $220 Routine Processing
+ $19.53 = $179.53
Expedited Processing
+ $19.53 = $239.53
Children (Under age 16) $115 + $60 = $175 Routine Processing
+ $19.53 = $134.53
Expedited Processing
+ $19.53 = $194.53

*Purchase Expedited Service to receive your passport product in less time.

** Purchase Express Mail Return for 1-2 day return shipping of your passport product. Express Mail Return is not available for passport card.

You must provide one photo with your passport application.
SCLSNJ offers passport photos at a cost of $10. Read more about passport photo requirements here.

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Helpful Hints

You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the following is true:

  • You are applying for your first U.S. passport
  • You are under age 16
  • Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16
  • Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
  • Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago

If none of the above statements apply to you, you may be eligible to Renew using Form DS-82.

The passport application process can be time-consuming. Plan your visit accordingly. This is especially important when applying for passports for multiple family members. In the event that a passport acceptance agent believes the process cannot be completed prior to the desk closing, you may be requested to return at another time. We advise you to call ahead to before your visit, in order to determine your correct fees. You can reach us at (908) 458-8400, option 3.

SCLSNJ will do everything we can to help you track the progress of your application; however, we have no control over its actual processing. Visit the State Department’s Passport Application Status Webpage at passportstatus.state.gov to check on the status of your passport application. Processing time may fluctuate according to workload in the U.S. Passport processing offices. Click here for Current Processing Times

For a child under age 16, any and all parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child’s passport. The best way to do this is for any and all parents or guardians to go with the child in person to apply for the passport. (from Travel.State.Gov)

What if all parents or guardians cannot appear in person?
Visit the Children Under 16 page of the State Department Website and find more information under item number 7, Show Parental Consent.

SCLSNJ does not currently offer translation services. Applicants who are more comfortable communicating in a language other than English may bring a trusted companion to act as a translator. Please contact us with any questions – (908) 458-8400, option 3 or passports@sclibnj.org.

Click Here to Schedule a Passport Appointment at the Bridgewater Branch
Contact SCLSNJ:
(908) 458-8400, option 3
SCLSNJ.org/passports
passports@sclibnj.org
Visit the State Department Website:
travel.state.gov
Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC):
(877) 487-2778
npic@state.gov