In-person or via mail? Which option is right for you.
Apply or Renew In-Person
You must apply in person if any of the following are true:
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you must apply or renew in person. Click the button below to book your appointment.
Renew via Mail
You must renew by mail if all of the following are true:
Please review the information below prior to requesting an appointment to renew your passport. In many cases, you can renew your passport by mail.
Passport appointments are available:Two payments are required for all passports – one made payable to the US DEPT OF STATE and one made payable to the Mahwah Public Library.
Each passport requires a separate check or money order with the name and date of birth of applicant in the memo line of the payment. Checks or money orders for application fees must be made payable to US Department of State.
There is a $35 execution (processing) fee per passport. The execution fee may be paid by cash, credit card, check or money order payable to the Mahwah Public Library.
The Passport Agent will take one set of photographs for a fee of $12. The fee for photographs may be paid by cash, credit card, check or money order payable to the Mahwah Public Library.
You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if any of the following are true:
The Mahwah Library has copies of the DS-11 available to complete, or you can download the application from the the passport section at travel.state.gov. The DS-11 form must be filled out completely in black ink in order for your documents to be reviewed, but please do not sign the form until the Passport Agent instructs you to do so.
Submit your form with the following additional documents:
For more information about acceptable identification and proof of citizenship, visit travel.state.gov
In many cases, you can apply for a renewal by mail and do not need to come in person. You can renew by mail if you answer “yes” to the following:
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then you must renew in person.
You will need Form DS-82, available online at travel.state.gov.
If you can renew by mail, the Mahwah Library can provide photograph services for $12 per application. An agent can look at your renewal form for accuracy.
All children, regardless of age including newborns and infants, must have their own passport.
All passport applicants under 16 must apply in person using Form DS-11. Applicants under 16 must appear with both parents/guardians in most cases and both parents must sign Form DS-11 in front of the Acceptance Agent and must be able to show parental relationship with any of the following:
Some documents, like a US Birth Certificate, show both US citizenship and parental relationship.
You must submit one of the following US citizenship documents for your child. Your document must be an original or certified, physical copy. Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptable. Be prepared to surrender these documents. After your passport is printed, the Department of State will send the new passport to you and return your supporting documents in a separate mailing:
The parents/guardians must also present proof of identity (valid, in-state driver’s license, for example). Please visit travel.state.gov for all acceptable forms of identification.
Passports issued to those under age 16 are valid for five (5) years.
Applicants who are 16 and 17 years old must fill out Form DS-11 and apply in person.
You must submit one of the following US citizenship documents. Your document must be an original or certified, physical copy. Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptable. Be prepared to surrender these documents. After your passport is printed, the Department of State will send the new passport to you and return your supporting documents in a separate mailing:
If you have your own current identification document, you may apply for a passport, but you must show that at least one parent or guardian knows that you are applying for a passport. Your passport application may be denied if we have received written objection from one of your parents or legal guardians. For more information, please refer to the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program.
How to show parental awareness:
To prevent delay and assist the passport agent, it is recommended that parental consent be submitted if the minor is applying without at least one parent or guardian present.
after your passport is printed, the Department of State will send the new passport to you and return your supporting documents in a separate mailing.
If your passport is lost or stolen, you should report it immediately to protect yourself from identity theft. You can report a lost or stolen passport online, via mail, or telephone:
To replace a lost or stolen passport, you must fill out a Form DS-11 and apply in person.
Please make an appointment online or call the passport office at 201.429.7400.
The US Department of State only accepts checks or money orders. Remember to bring a separate check or money order made out to the US Department of State for each application, and a separate check or money order made out to the Mahwah Public Library for the execution (processing) fee. Please refer to the “Passport Fees” section to see the various costs.
For the latest information on processing times, restrictions, expedited service fees, accepted forms of documentation, and general questions, please visit travel.state.gov.
The passport book is the standard passport document, allowing travel by any means (air, land, sea) to any destination, and in addition to establishing the citizenship and identity of the bearer, is able to hold international visas of countries with visa requirements.
The passport card is less expensive than the passport book, and was designed to be a more convenient option for applicants. However, the passport card can only be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. It can, however, be used as an acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel.
Please refer to travel.state.gov to get the most up-to-date and current processing times. The State Department currently estimates a passport takes ten to twelve weeks for routine processing, from the time you turn in your application, including how long it takes for them to mail it to you. Please allow yourself plenty of time, especially in spring, when many people are preparing vacations for the busy summer months.
Expedited service is available if you need a passport to be issued more quickly. However, there are additional fees required when using expedited service.
Due to the anticipated snowfall overnight and into the morning, the Mahwah Library will be closed Tuesday, February 13, 2024.
We look forward to seeing you when we reopen at 10am on Wednesday, 2/14.
Please stay warm and safe if you are traveling overnight or tomorrow morning.
The Library is closed for Easter.
We look forward to seeing you when we reopen at 10am on Monday, April 1.
Although the Library may be closed, our online services are always available! Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, music, videos, magazines, and even online learning at any time.
