Somerset County Clerk and Surrogate Announce Extended Evening Office Hours to Accommodate Public
Access to the Somerset County Administrative Building Is Limited Due to COVID, and All Services Are Provided by Appointment Only

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter and Surrogate Bernice Martina Jalloh announced today that there will be extended office hours on Wednesday evenings until 6 p.m. starting Feb. 3 to accommodate residents who cannot make appointments during regular business hours. The extended hours are the first for the Clerk’s office since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the first ever for the Surrogate’s office.

“It is vitally important that people be able to access the Surrogate’s services at times that don’t affect their jobs or childcare, especially when they are dealing with the loss of a loved one or other family issue,” said Surrogate Jalloh, who took office earlier this month. “Somerset County’s residents deserve all the support we can give during the most difficult times of their lives.”

Somerset County’s Administration building is fully operational, but due to an abundance of caution and concern for staff the public’s access to county facilities is limited. However, residents can schedule appointments with the County Clerk’s Office and the Surrogate’s Office, both located at 20 Grove St., on weekdays. Visits are by appointment only; no walk-ins will be permitted. Masks and social distancing are required.

“We’re very excited to be offering the extended hours again, especially since not everyone can get to Somerville by the normal 4:30 p.m. closing time,” said Clerk Peter. “Hopefully the pandemic will abate by the summer and we will be able to reinstate the mobile Clerk’s office along with my colleague Surrogate Jalloh in the spring.”

Somerset County Sheriff’s Officers will be stationed at the entrance to the county Administration Building where scheduled visitors will be greeted to check temperatures and ensure they have an appointment.

COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE
To schedule an appointment, contact the County Clerk's Office at 908-231-7013, email CountyClerk@co.somerset.nj.us, or download a free online application.
Services provided by the County Clerk’s Office include recording land records and related legal documents, processing passport applications, recording trade/business name certificates, filing military discharges, issuing vote-by-mail ballots, and conducting wedding ceremonies. Land record searches can be conducted online by visiting the County Clerk’s Office website or calling 908-231-7013. Office hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SURROGATE’S OFFICE
To schedule an appointment, contact the Surrogate's Office at 908-231-7003 or surrogatesoffice@co.somerset.nj.us. Faxes can be sent to 908-575-3965 or 908-575-3966.
The Surrogate’s Office probates wills, qualifies executors and trustees and issues documents pertaining to administering estates. It also serves as custodian of funds belonging to a minor’s estate until the individual reaches maturity, processes mental incompetency and conservatorships, and handles all adoptions.
Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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