Passport Prices Increase on July 13

If you're looking to apply for a passport, now would be the time to do it before prices increase on Tuesday.

The federal government issued a 47 percent price increase on passports on July 2, and it goes into effect on Tuesday, according to information from the Essex County Clerk's Office.

An adult passport will increase from $75 to $110 after the increase, and the price for a minor under 16 years old will increase from $60 to $80. There also is a $25 processing fee.

The county clerk's office accepts passport applications at its office in Newark, but the clerk also holds "outreach centers" in the various towns in the county. Maplewood's next outreach center will take place at Town Hall on Monday, July 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Millburn's next outreach center isn't until July 26 at the Millburn Public Library, but Livingston will hold one at the Livingston Library on Saturday at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Passport photos, applications and processing are also available at the U.S. Post Office in Maplewood Village.

In order to apply for a passport, the applicant must bring the passport application, two two-inch by two-inch face-front photographs and either a certified copy of a birth certificate, a naturalization certificate or a previous U.S. passport. The County clerk's office will take a photo for an additional $10.

For identification purposes, the applicant also much bring a valid driver's license, government identification or previous U.S. passport issued after his 16th birthday that is not more than 15 years old.

For more information, call 973-621-4921, ext. 237 or visit the clerk's passport page.