Somerset County Clerk’s Office Adds Additional Saturday Hours in Aftermath of Nor’easters

SOMERVILLE – Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter wants residents to be aware that the U.S. Department of State plans to increase passport processing fees from $25 to $35, effective April 2. To accommodate residents who wish to apply for a passport before April 2, the County Clerk's Office, located in the county Administration Building at 20 Grove St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.

“The weather caused the county to be closed on two successive Wednesdays, so we wanted to add additional hours before the State Department fee increase,” said Somerset County Clerk Peter “We are going to be open late this Wednesday, and it makes sense to add an additional Saturday to our schedule for the convenience of the public.”

The Clerk’s Office regularly offers extended hours for passport applications on Wednesday evenings until 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on one Saturday per month, generally the first Saturday. In 2018, Saturday office hours will be offered on March 31, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1. Information about applying for a passport can be found at: http://bit.ly/CC-Passports.

During weekdays, free parking is available in the Bernie Field Parking Deck, adjacent to the county Administration Building. The entrance is located off of High Street. On weekends, street parking is available.

The State Department’s $10 increase in application fees only will apply to application form DS-11, which is used by first-time applicants over age 16, children under age 16, and applicants who re-apply after reporting their previous passport lost or stolen.

There are two fees associated with passport applications. The first is the State Department’s application fee and the second is a processing fee, which is intended to cover costs incurred by designated passport acceptance agencies, including U.S. Post Offices, County Clerk’s Offices and public libraries. The State Department has determined that the cost incurred by these agencies is about $35. For more information, visit the State Department’s website at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

For more information, contact Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter at (908) 231-7013 or CountyClerk@co.somerset.nj.us.