The everything guide to US Passports & the application process

Essex County Clerk's Office: Passport Office in Newark NJ

Last Reviewed on January 20th, 2024


Location:
Essex County Clerk's Office
Address:
465 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, #247
 
Newark, NJ 07102
 
Hours of Operation Shown in (EST)
Monday
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Tuesday
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Wednesday
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Thursday
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Friday
8:30AM - 4:00PM


Handicap Accessible (ADA): Yes

Passport Photos: Yes, the Essex County Clerk's Office takes passport photographs onsite - Please review our guide to Passport Photos. If you want your passport photos taken before you go to the acceptance agent, here is a list of places to get passport photos in Newark.


Newark Passport Office: Essex County Clerk's Office Location Overview

Essex County Clerk's Office is an acceptance agent/passport office. For passport service in Newark, NJ you can go here for passport help. Essex County Clerk's Office is a Court facility that is able to witness your signature and seal your passport documents - standard processing is 4-8 weeks. This office DOES NOT issue passports, they will send your passport forms directly to a regional passport facility. There are 2 other passport acceptance agent offices located in Newark. Essex County Clerk's Office is located in County, New Jersey.

About Essex County Clerk's Office

Essex County Clerk's Office is not a passport issuance facility and you will NOT receive a passport on-site there. This facility is an acceptance agent, the Essex County Clerk's Office is sort of like a special notary for the Department of State / Passport Agency in which they can "Witness" your signature and officially "Seal" your application and documents. There is a separate $35 fee for this that is paid at the time of sealing.

Needs to visit an acceptance agent
New Passports Application (Child or Adult)
Lost / Damaged Passport Replacement

Doesn't need to visit an acceptance agent
Passport Renewal
Passport Name Change Application

Passport Processing Times at Essex County Clerk's Office

Standard Processing - Because of Covid-19, the current processing times are 10-12 weeks after submitting an application.

Expedited Processing - You can pay an extra $60 when sealing your documents at Essex County Clerk's Office to get your passport quicker, typically in 4-6 weeks.

Emergency Processing - (NOT AVAILABLE at Essex County Clerk's Office): If you have proof of travel within 3 days you can request an emergency appointment at one of the regional passport offices close to Newark. Also see our info about 3rd-party passport expediters.

Nearest Regional Passport Offices to Newark, NJ

New York Passport Agency - 7.6 Miles
Connecticut Passport Agency - 34.5 Miles
Philadelphia Passport Agency - 64.7 Miles

Passport Services Offered at Essex County Clerk's Office

Passport Forms - If you need to pick up a physical pre-printed application that you can fill out by hand, the Essex County Clerk's Office will have pre-printed passport forms. You may also get passport forms from our website and print them on your own printer.

Passport Document Sealing / Passport Application Signature Witness - Essex County Clerk's Office is an official Acceptance Agent as appointed by the Department of State. Certain municipal and postal employees at this location are authorized to "Witness" your signature (kind of like a notary).
NOTE: not required for passport renewals
Acceptance Agent fee is $35 (see more about Acceptance Agent Fees)

4-6 week passport expediting / 10-12-week standard passport service - These are the standard processing times for passports at any acceptance agent.

Passport Photos - They can take and print your passport photos on site, typically $10-15.

Essex County Clerk's Office Service Area Radius

This passport office is located in - Essex County and serves the passport needs for residents of other nearby zipcodes including: 07102, 07101, 07175, 07184, 07188, 07191, 07192, 07193, 07195, 07198, 07199, 07103, 07108, 07105, 07029, 07107, 07099, 07112, 07114

Frequently asked questions

How fast can I get a passport at Essex County Clerk's Office?

Essex County Clerk's Office does not issue passports, they are sent to a central processing facility, it will take at a minimum of 4 weeks if using expedited service and up to 12 weeks for standard processing.

I need a passport sooner than that, what are my options?

There is a regional passport office close to Newark. That will be your fastest option for passport issuance. The New York Passport Agency is only 7.6 miles away.

Does Essex County Clerk's Office charge for passports?

Essex County Clerk's Office is an acceptance agent, Essex County Clerk's Office does not issue passports – they do however charge the standard $35 acceptance agent fee to seal your documents, this is only required for new or replacement passport applications; renewals do not need to be sealed and thus no acceptance agent fee is required. Please see our detailed information on passport fees.

Can I get walk-in passport service at Essex County Clerk's Office?

If by walk-in service you mean get your passport there at Essex County Clerk's Office? Then no. They do not issue passports, you can get walk-in passport issuance at a regional passport facility only, not local acceptance agent facilities; passport are sent to a central processing location.

Does Essex County Clerk's Office do passport renewals?

If you have your expired or soon-to-be expired passport, it is in good condition and the validity period on your expired passport was for 10-years, then you do not even need to visit an acceptance agent. You can do your application online, print-it and send it in with new passport photos, the old passport, and the required passport fees. See our guide about passport renewals to renew your passport yourself.

Can Essex County Clerk's Office tell me about the status of my application?

No, they are acceptance agents and have nothing to do with the application once they witness your signature and seal your application. Once an application is in-process, Essex County Clerk's Office will not be able to assist any further.

Does Essex County Clerk's Office take passport photos?

Yes, you can get your passport photos taken there. Please see: List of locations in Newark to get passport photos.

What forms of payment does Essex County Clerk's Office accept?

At Essex County Clerk's Office, the passport acceptance fees can be paid for with a check, cash, money order or debit card. Since Essex County Clerk's Office takes passport photos there, you can also pay for photos with the same payment methods. Passport Fees can only be paid with a check or money order.

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