Mercer clerk, mayor plan Passport Evening in West Windsor

   WEST WINDSOR — Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello and West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh will hold a special Passport Evening for residents from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Township Hall, 271 Clarksville Road.
   The staff of the Mercer County Clerk’s office will visit the Township Hall to process U.S. passport applications on-site for the residents of West Windsor and all other parts of the county.
   “”“”While routine applications for U.S. passports are now being processed much faster, from six to eight weeks, the early fall season is a good time to apply since the State Department historically receives large numbers of applications during late fall for holiday travelers. “Travelers who have not yet applied for a passport, should not hesitate, because the overall demand for U.S. passports is expected to be extensive throughout the remainder of the year,” Clerk Sollami Covello said.
   To apply residents will need: Proof of U.S. citizenship in the form of a state-certified birth certificate, a U.S. naturalization certificate or a previous U.S. passport; proof of identity in the form of a current driver’s license or state issued identification card.
   A U.S. passport is valid for 10 years for adults and five years for minors. The cost for a passport is $75 for adults and $60 for minors plus a processing fee of $25. Passport photos will be taken on-site for $15 or $10 for senior citizens. The clerk’s office will accept checks or money orders for payment. No cash or credit cards will be accepted at this event.
   For the young, federal passport guidelines now require both parents to appear in person — or one parent in person with required documentation — when applying for a passport for a child under 16. The previous cutoff was age 14.
   ””West Windsor’s passport night may draw many applicants. Therefore, passport applications and photos will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Residents are encouraged to arrive early. Those who arrive within one hour of the closing time may not be processed. However, additional representatives from the county clerk’s office will be on hand to assist residents with their forms.
   For those who will be unable to participate in the passport event, the Mercer County Clerk’s office processes U.S. passport applications on a regular basis, Monday through Friday during business hours at the County Clerk’s Office, 209 South Broad St., Trenton. In addition, one can also apply for a U.S. passport at the Mercer County Connection located at the Hamilton Square Shopping Center on Highway 33 and Paxson Avenue in Hamilton. The County Connection satellite office offers evening and Saturday hours for the convenience of Mercer County residents. Passport photos are available at both locations.
   For further information residents should visit www.mercercounty.org and click on County Clerk or call 609-989-6473.