Apply for a US Passport

The Mercer County Clerk’s Office accepts U.S. passport applications at two locations: our main office in Trenton and the Mercer County Connection in Hamilton. We process applications, but we do not issue passports on-site.

Hours may vary on holidays. See the official county holidays. Passport photo services are available at both locations for a fee.

Processing times

Plan ahead. Routine passports are now taking up to 6–8 weeks. Expedited passports are now taking up to 2–3 weeks.

Who must apply in person

• All applicants must appear in person, including first-time applicants.
• Minors 16 and under must be accompanied by both parents.
• Please complete your application before you arrive, especially during busy times.

If you have a passport that is not more than 5 years past its expiration date, you may be able to renew by mail. See passport renewal details on Travel.State.Gov (opens in new tab).

New: You can now renew your U.S. passport online through the State Department’s streamlined service. It is a convenient and secure way to update your travel documents without leaving home. Read Mercer County Clerk Shares Online Passport Renewal Information (opens in new tab).

What to bring

Application form

• Form DS-11: Application for Passport (opens in new tab) (unsigned)

Proof of U.S. citizenship

Bring one of the following:

• Birth certificate: the original with a raised seal, or a certified copy with a raised seal. Hospital certificates and baptismal certificates are not accepted as primary proof of citizenship.
• Naturalization certificate: original only. It will be returned to you.
• Previous passport (for renewals)

Every U.S. birth certificate used to apply for a passport must:

• show the full name of the parent(s);
• be issued by the office of vital statistics of the state, county or city where the birth occurred;
• show the full name of the child at birth;
• show the date and place of birth;
• have the embossed, impressed, multicolored or raised seal and the signature of the issuing authority;
• show a registration or file date within one year of the birth; and
• be an original, certified document (notarized copies and photocopies are not accepted).

Parents must submit long-form birth certificates (showing the child’s name and both parents’ names) for all children under age 16, even when submitting a previous passport or citizenship certificate.

Identification

• Driver’s license, if you are at least 17 years old. Learner’s permits are not accepted. If you are 17 and do not have a valid license, use a natural parent’s license.
• If you do not have a driver’s license, bring other forms of identification, such as a school or college ID, business or government ID, voter registration and/or credit cards.

Photo

• One recent, passport-quality 2″ x 2″ photo: full face, no hat, white or light background.

Payment

There are two separate fees: a passport services fee and a County Clerk processing fee. Please bring two separate checks or money orders.

• Passport services fee: check or money order only.
• Mercer County Clerk processing fee: $35.00, paid by check, money order or credit card.

Passport fees

Passport type	Passport services fee
Adult U.S. passport book only (routine)	$130.00
Adult U.S. passport book and card (routine)	$160.00
Adult U.S. passport book (expedited)	$190.00
Adult U.S. passport book (expedited, with First Class Mail return)	$212.05
Child U.S. passport book only (routine)	$100.00
Child U.S. passport book and card (routine)	$115.00
Child U.S. passport book (expedited)	$160.00
Child passport book (expedited, with First Class Mail return)	$182.05

Passport card fees

• $30 for adults and minors 16 and older
• $15 for children under 16

Passport photo fees

• $15 for adults
• $10 for children and seniors (62 and older)

Passport cards

U.S. citizens and nationals can also apply for a U.S. passport card. Passport cards are valid for entry by land or sea only to Canada, Mexico and many Caribbean islands.

A passport card can also be used as proof of citizenship at a U.S. embassy if your passport book is lost or stolen abroad. To apply for a card, bring the same documents as for a passport book. Cards are valid for five years for children and ten years for adults.

Passport outreach events

Periodically, our office takes passport services to municipalities throughout Mercer County. These outreach events let residents apply for or renew their passports locally. Dates are posted on the Mercer County Clerk’s home page.

At outreach events, applicants must bring proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a certified birth certificate or previous U.S. passport), a valid government-issued photo ID, and two separate checks or money orders for the required fees. For more details or to schedule an appointment, call the Mercer County Clerk’s Office at 609-989-6473.

Related documents

Downloadable passport forms (Travel.State.Gov) (opens in new tab)