Traveling abroad can be a life-changing and transformative experience for many. Since becoming a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility in April of 2017, our office has processed over one thousand new passports, assisted with countless renewals and hosted various mobile events throughout the town. It is a service we are proud to be able to provide to our constituents.
Applying for a passport is easier than most people realize, especially when you come to the Town Clerk’s Office.
There are essentially two components of a passport application: proving identity and showing evidence of citizenship. For an adult applying for the first time, a birth certificate and driver license are sufficient. In the case of minors aged 15 years and younger, either both parents listed on the birth certificate must provide identification and sign off on behalf of the minor, or one parent alone with a notarized affidavit of consent.
Minor passports are valid for five years while adult passports are valid for ten. Our office is happy to assist with these applications and we even mail the entire packet on the applicant’s behalf.
It is a customer service that we provide at no cost, with the exception of the photo fee, if needed. For passport renewals, the adult applicant must submit the renewal application, along with their old passport directly to the State Department. Although we can assist in this process, we are restricted by the Department of State regulations from mailing these on the applicant’s behalf.
As Registrar of Vital Statistics, my office maintains all marriage certificates for weddings that were licensed in the town, as well as birth certificates for those born at North Shore University Hospital.
We are also currently in the process of assuming Registrar functions for the Village of Mineola, which means that we will maintain birth certificates for children born at Winthrop Hospital.
It is almost a daily occurrence that someone will come in and request a copy of their own or their child’s birth certificate with the intent of submitting it with a passport application. The same situation arises for those who had their names changed via marriage and want to update their passports before they travel.
Most are pleasantly surprised that they do not need to wait to go to the Post Office, and that they can apply with us instead. We have even performed weddings, issued marriage certificates, and sent it with that person’s passport application in the same day. Additionally, we offer on-site passport photo services for a small fee. Consider us a one-stop shop.
There are two fees associated with filing for a passport; the execution fee which is paid to the Town of North Hempstead and the application fee which is paid to the U.S. Department of State.
Payments for the execution fee can be made with cash, check or credit but please note that the application fee must be paid by check.
For a complete listing of passport fees please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/fees.html. Passport services are offered at the Town Clerk’s Office, located at 200 Plandome Road in Manhasset from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This service is open to both residents and non-residents. Passport processing is by appointment only, and residents are encouraged to contact 311 to schedule an appointment.
Happy travelling!
