Free Passport Photos Until Feb. 27

UPDATE (Feb. 23): Deadline extended to March 31.

Free passport photographs are available until the end of February when customers apply for a U.S. Passport Book or a U.S. Passport Card at the county clerk offices in Elizabeth and Westfield.

"The free passport photo is our way of trying to reduce your travel expenses a bit and encourage you to get your passport ready for spring and summer vacations," said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi.

The passport fee usually costs $10. Union County residents must apply by February 27.

Application forms may be obtained at the county clerk's main office in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at the county clerk's office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online at http://www.ucnj.org/ctyclerk/passport.html.

"Our Elizabeth office opens at 7:30 a.m. and it has experienced, helpful, English and Spanish-speaking certified passport agents ready to assist you in any way we can," Rajoppi said. "Our Westfield office has convenient night hours and also is fully staffed."

The Westfield Annex is the only county clerk's office in the state that is open during evening hours. It is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The telephone number at the Westfield Annex is 908-654-9859.

The Elizabeth office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number in Elizabeth is 908-527-4966. Clients are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing time to allow for staff assistance with the passport process.

For more information about obtaining a U.S. passport, please call (908) 527-4966.