Passport Services and Free Photo IDs Available in Woodcliff Lake This Tuesday
Bergen County residents can easily obtain identification when the County Clerk’s mobile outreach unit visits Woodcliff Lake on Tuesday. The Bergen County Clerk’s Office’s traveling program will be at the Woodcliff Lake Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering passport applications, notary oaths, and free photo ID cards for seniors and military veterans. Residents can walk in without an appointment and finish the process.
Passport and identity services are being made more accessible with the mobile unit. These services are more vital as federal travel requirements tighten. Domestic flight passengers must now have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a U.S. passport. International travel requires a passport, regardless of driver’s license status.
Many paperwork and actions are needed to get a passport. A passport application, proof of U.S. citizenship, an approved identity document, a recent passport photo, and costs are required. Passport photos cost $10 at the County Clerk’s office for those without qualifying photos. Parents applying for children’s passports should consider greater criteria. Children under 16 must apply in person with parents or guardians and use Form DS-11. Federal law requires both parents’ approval, either in person or in writing, for children’s five-year passports.
Passport processing times vary by option. Standard passport processing takes 8-11 weeks, while expedited service takes 5-7 weeks. Residents planning to travel should plan early because delays could affect flights.
In addition to Woodcliff Lake on Tuesday, the mobile outreach program will visit many Bergen County areas in the coming months. Mahwah, Fairview, and Washington Township are coming up on September 10, 17, and 24. After that, the outreach unit will visit Emerson, Lyndhurst, and Felician University’s Rutherford and Lodi campuses in October. The November 13 visit to River Vale Township will give county residents additional chances to use these services closer to home.
The outreach program is especially helpful for senior individuals, families with young children, and veterans who have trouble getting to the County Clerk’s Office. The county wants to reduce obstacles and keep crucial identification documents accessible by bringing services directly to neighborhoods. Before travel restrictions tighten, initiatives like these are helping residents prepare for the federal REAL ID enforcement deadline.
Anyone using the mobile unit must have proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization papers, a driver’s license, and processing costs. Preparation makes the procedure easier and faster. Remember that seniors and veterans can get free photo ID cards during the visit.
Bergen County Clerk’s Office emphasizes making government services more accessible and user-friendly. The county offers mobile options to meet federal travel restrictions and provide convenience. Bergen County residents will have numerous fall opportunities to renew their passports and IDs without driving far.
Sources
Bergen County Clerk’s Office
U.S. Department of State
Transportation Security Administration
