Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is reminding residents that the County Clerk’s Office re-opened to the public last week and that passport services have resumed by an appointment only basis. Although our passport application services have resumed, please expect significant delays in passport processing time by the U.S. Department of State.

Since expedited passport processing has been suspended by the U.S. Department of State, customers who need a passport within the next 72 hours for a life-or-death emergency must schedule an appointment at a federal passport agency by first calling the Department of State at (877) 487-2778.

Per determination of the County Board of Chosen Freeholders, face coverings are required for entrance to all County buildings. Strict social distancing practices are in effect in each of the County Clerk’s Offices, as the safety of our visitors and employees is of paramount concern.

Passport services are available at our main Freehold Office, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call (732) 431-7324.

Our County Connection Office in Neptune has passport hours from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., also by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call (732) 303-2828.

Federal "REAL ID" Act Compliance Date Extended to October of 2021

Clerk Hanlon is reminding residents that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the enforcement deadline of the Federal REAL ID Act from October of 2020 to next year, October 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, starting October of 2021, you must have a REAL ID compliant driver license/ID to fly within the United States, unless you use a U.S. passport or another federally approved form of identification. Until that date, a Standard New Jersey driver license will be valid for air travel within the United States.

“I wanted to remind Monmouth County residents about the extension deadline so that they do not need to worry about waiting in lines at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission now that it has reopened for business,” said Clerk Hanlon.

For more information about the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and REAL IDs, visit state.nj.us/mvc/.

Nominate a Monmouth County Preservationist or Historian

Clerk Hanlon is seeking nominations for the 2020 Monmouth County Jane G. Clayton Award and M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation, which honor those who strive to preserve the history of Monmouth County. The upcoming deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, August 3, 2020.

The Clayton Award, named after former County Clerk Jane G. Clayton, was created to honor and recognize those who go above and beyond to spread awareness, understanding/or preservation of Monmouth County History.

The M. Claire French Award was named after Clerk Hanlon’s predecessor, former County Clerk M. Claire French, and recognizes outstanding achievements of a living elected official, government employee, public servant or current civic organization in supporting historic preservation in Monmouth County.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from our website at MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives.