Getting a Passport in Englewood, NJ: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting a Passport in Englewood, NJ

Englewood, NJ residents in Bergen County enjoy easy access to Newark Liberty International Airport and a short drive to New York City, fueling travel for business in finance, pharma, and tech; family trips to Europe or the Caribbean; or cultural reunions. Demand spikes in spring/summer for beaches, winter for skiing, and late summer for school programs, often booking facilities weeks ahead. Plan 8-11 weeks early for routine service. Avoid pitfalls like photo rejections (glare, wrong 2x2-inch size, improper headwear), incomplete minor apps (missing parental IDs or court orders), mailing ineligible old passports, or expecting same-day without life-or-death proof. Follow this guide's checklists, official State Department steps, and local tips for smooth processing.

Choose the Right Passport Service for Your Situation

Match your needs to the form and method—mismatches add 4-6 weeks. Use this decision tree:

Test eligibility at travel.state.gov/passport wizard. For Englewood: Heavy traffic means arrive 15 min early; print docs double-sided.

Gather Required Documents and Proof of U.S. Citizenship

Rejections stem from incomplete docs, especially minors. Use certified originals only.

Core Items (All):

• Citizenship Proof: Original/certified birth cert (NJ: order from Dept. of Health Vital Statistics, $25/copy, 1-10 days [3]), naturalization cert, or prior passport.
• ID Proof: Driver's license (Real ID optional but flight-useful [4]), military ID; photocopy front/back.
• Photo: One 2x2-inch (specs below).
• Form: DS-11 (in-person) or DS-82 (mail).
• Fees: See table; two checks (app fee to "U.S.

Dept. of State"; execution to facility).

Minors Add: Parental IDs, DS-3053 notarized consent if one absent, court order for sole custody. Pro tip: Order extra NJ birth certs early—peaks slow service.

Passport Photos: Avoid Common Rejections

NJ home setups cause glare/shadows; pros reduce 4-6 week delays. Specs [5]:

• 2x2 inches, head 1-1 3/8 inches.
• Color, white/off-white background, neutral face, eyes open.
• No glasses/hats (med/religious exceptions with side view), uniforms, glare.
• <6 months old; matte/glossy print.

Get at CVS/Walgreens/AAA near Englewood (~$15); avoid selfies/booths.

Acceptance Facilities in Englewood and Bergen County

Use state.gov locator for Englewood, NJ 07631 [8]—book ASAP as NYC proximity drives demand. Expect 15-30 min visits: Agent verifies docs, oaths you, witnesses signature, seals envelope (no on-site passports).

Local Examples (Verify Hours/Status):

• Englewood Post Office (call 201-871-4400 or USPS locator [6]).
• Nearby: Teaneck Post Office, Bergen County Clerk (Hackensack [7]), seasonal sites like Dwight-Englewood School.

What to Expect:

• Arrive prepared (complete form unsigned, organized docs).
• Busy peaks: Early weekdays best; Mondays/midday worst.
• Walk-ins rare—appt via facility sites; off-peak for shorter lines.

Mail renewals skip this (DS-82 to Philadelphia center [1]).

Step-by-Step Checklist: In-Person Application (DS-11)

1. Fill DS-11 (black ink, no sign yet [1]).
2. Compile: Citizenship orig + photocopy, ID + photocopy, photo, fees.
3. Book appt; arrive early.
4. At facility: Present unsealed; sign/oath/seal.
5. Track at passportstatus.state.gov [9].
6. Receive: 6-8 weeks routine; select delivery options.

Minors: Parents present or DS-3053; relationship proof.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

• Routine: 6-8 weeks (+ mailing).
• Expedited: 2-3 weeks (+$60).
• Life-or-death (<14 days): NYC Passport Agency (appts 1-877-487-2778 [10]); itinerary/proof needed.
• Private rush: Post-processing delivery only.

NJ surges (summer Europe, holidays) mean apply 3+ months early—no guarantees.

Renewing by Mail (DS-82)

Eligible only? Include old passport, photo, fee check. Mail to PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 [1]. Track online.

Replacements for Lost, Stolen, or Dam

aged

1. Report DS-64 online [2] ASAP (invalidates old).
2. Police report (Englewood PD) for lost/stolen.
3. DS-11 in-person with citizenship proof, ID, photo, evidence. Tip: Submit damaged passport as-is; expedite if <3 weeks travel.

Passports for Minors Under 16

DS-11 in-person; 5-year validity. Both parents or consent; no exceptions.

Other Scenarios

• Name change: Marriage/divorce/court docs.
• Renew early: Up to 1 year if expiring.

Confirm at travel.state.gov [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

Same-day in Englewood? No; NYC agency for urgents only [10].

Hospital birth cert? Invalid—get state-issued [3].

Photo rejected? Pros fix glare; delays weeks [5].

Englewood Post Office appt? Yes, via USPS [6].

Minors in breaks? Peaks delay; apply early [1].

Expiring soon? Renew via DS-82 up to 1 year early [1].

Real ID for passport? No, but get for domestic flights [4].

3-week business trip? Expedite (+$60); agency if <14 days [1].

Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State - Passport Forms and Requirements
[2] U.S. Department of State - Report Lost/Stolen Passport
[3] NJ Department of Health - Vital Statistics
[4] NJ MVC - REAL ID
[5] U.S. Department of State - Passport Photo Requirements
[6] USPS Passport Services
[7] Bergen County Clerk
[8] State Department Passport Acceptance Facility Search
[9] Passport Status Check
[10] New York Passport Agency