Clerk Hanlon is warning residents that the U.S. Department of State is experiencing major passport processing delays and is therefore advising residents to apply for passports well in advance of any planned international travel.
According to the most recent update on March 24, 2023, the U.S. State Department passport service times are as follows:
- Routine service – 10 to 13 weeks*
- Expedited service (for an additional $60) – 7 to 9 weeks*
*The U.S. State Department is informing that these service times do not include the estimated mailing times for the application to be received by a passport agency and then for the passport to be delivered to you, which can add up to another 4 weeks to regular and expedited service.
In order to avoid delays, residents are advised to plan many months ahead for international travel. Residents can apply for a passport at one of the County Clerk’s two Passport Offices in Freehold and Neptune.