North Hempstead town clerk’s office now offers passport processing

North Hempstead residents can start their travels even sooner now that the Town Clerk’s office is processing passports.

Securing a passport no longer requires mailing documents or visiting the post office, but a quick trip to Town Hall.

“It’s very exciting that we are finally able to offer our residents the convenience of getting their passport processed right at the Town Clerk’s office,” Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said in a news release. “We are striving to make the process of applying or renewing a passport as painless as possible.”

North Hempstead Town Clerk Wayne Wink said that passport processing for the town follows months of resident inquiries and discussions with other municipalities that offer passport services. Convenience is key, Wink said, adding that people can now receive birth certificates and passports at the same location.

“It’s a little closer to one-stop shopping right here in the office,” Wink said.

The service is not exclusive to town residents, although an appointment is required by calling 311; nonresidents can call 516-869-6311. Individuals can apply for new passports and renew existing ones. The passports will be mailed directly to the applicant’s house within six to eight weeks. Applicants can pay an additional $60 fee to get their passports in four to six weeks.

Applicants must bring two forms of government identification, a 2x2-inch photo and a copy of the passport application, which is available online at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular affairs website at travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/fees.html.

The town will charge a $25 processing fee as well as the application fee to the Department of State, which varies depending on age. The town will not collect processing fees for renewals.

The application fee must be paid by check made out to the Department of State. The town processing fee can be paid by cash, credit card or check. Wink said the new service will help generate revenue for the town, and that passport processing will not require any additional staffing.

Processing for passport cards for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean is also available through the town. Those fees are $30 for those ages 16 and older, and $15 for those ages 15 and younger. A town processing fee also applies.