Passport Fees Increase Tuesday

Monday is the last day to apply for passports before prices increase.

The federal government issued a 47 percent price increase on passports on July 2 that will go into effect on Tuesday.

Fees for adults to obtain a passport will increase from $75 to $110, and the price for a minor (younger than 16) will go from $60 to $80. The government also charges a $25 processing fee with applications. Checks are payable to the U.S. Department of State.

The county clerk accepts passport applications at its office at 1 Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, although residents need not travel that far. Applications also are accepted at the Wyckoff Post Office, 411 Greenwood Ave., Town Hall, 340 Franklin Ave., the Ridgewood Post Office, 143 E. Ridgewood Ave., the Waldwick Post Office, 1 Walter Hammond Place, and the Franklin Lakes Post Office, 785 Franklin Ave., among other nearby locations.

To obtain a passport, the applicant must bring the passport application and proof of citizenship, either via a birth certificate (original or certified copy) a prior U.S. passport or a naturalization certificate (original, returned with the passport). Additionally, a driver's license must be displayed; those without a license must bring three forms of identification, with at least one containing a signature. Two identical 2 x 2 photographs are needed, although the clerk's office will take a photograph for a $10 fee.

For more information, call the county clerk's office at 201-336-7000 or visit the Department of State's passport page. Applications for routine service are fulfilled within four to six weeks.

—Nicholas Loffredo