Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello sends this update that the U.S. State Department is experiencing longer than usual delays in the processing times of passports. For those looking to travel and needing to renew their passports, it is advised to begin this process immediately. The current wait times for passport services is 10 weeks for expedited services and up to 14 weeks from the time of submission for a regular application. This delay is likely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information regarding passports, please visit the Mercer County Clerk’s website at https://www.mercercounty.org/government/county-clerk-/office-services/passports or call the County Clerk’s passport office at 609-989-6473; for Spanish, call 609-989-6131 or 609-989-6122.

Appointments at the Mercer County Connection, located at 957 Route 33, Hamilton, are available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment at the Mercer County Connection, please contact the office at 609-890-9800. Please note that all customers must have applications filled out, money orders and checks along with documentation and copies prior to appointment. Please note that delays in appointment availability may be experienced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.