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Passport Services
September 2025 Update: Due to recent updates in safety guidelines from the U.S. Department of State, passport application services will now be available exclusively at our Bridgewater branch. At this time, we are unable to offer passport services at any of the other SCLSNJ branches. We are actively working with the National Passport Office to explore opportunities to provide appointment availability at other locations in the future.
| Location | Hours | How to Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater | Mondays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursdays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fridays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Schedule an appointment at Bridgewater Or call (908) 458-8415, option 0. |
IMPORTANT WARNING: The only official, authorized place to apply for a passport is an Acceptance Facility designated by the U.S. Department of State. Passport Services at SCLSNJ's Bridgewater branch is an Acceptance Facility.
There are no first-time applications (or renewal applications for a minor) that can be completed fully online. Other websites or companies claiming you can submit your first-time application or renew your passport online may be fraudulent. No one else can sign and submit a passport application on your behalf.
These websites often charge extra fees and put your personal data at risk. Even if a company has “Gov” in its name, it is not authorized to accept or process passport applications. When entering your personal information on a website, always verify that you are on a site with a URL ending in .gov, not .com, .us, or .org.
Please note that neither SCLSNJ nor the Department of State can get involved in disputes with these companies or secure refunds for unauthorized applications. For more information, please visit the State Department's Acceptance Facility search page and its page on Registered Courier and Expeditor Services.
Questions? Contact a passport agent at (908) 458-8415, option 0.
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).
- State Vital Records Office information is available online through the website of The National Center for Health Statistics.
- 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 | + $30.45 |
*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.
To see United States passport fees go to travel.state.gov.
*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 per person. Read more about passport photo requirements here.
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 or renew online at https://opr.travel.state.gov/.
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) 458-8415, option 0.
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) 458-8415, option 0 or passports@sclibnj.org.
Click Here to Schedule a Passport or Photo Appointment at the Bridgewater Branch
Contact SCLSNJ:
(908) 458-8415, option 0
SCLSNJ.org/passports
passports@sclibnj.org
Visit the State Department Website:
Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC):
(877) 487-2778
npic@state.gov