Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello is warning residents about fraudulent online passport services that request sensitive personal information and charge unnecessary fees. Applicants are urged to use official government channels, including the County Clerk’s passport offices in Trenton and at Mercer County Connection in Hamilton.
With Real ID rules now in effect for domestic air travel, the Clerk’s Office reminds travelers that a U.S. passport book can be used in place of a Real ID. A lower-cost passport card — valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, but not for international air travel — is $30 for adults and $15 for minors.
To meet demand, the Clerk’s Office will host a special passport event on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Mercer County Library, Lawrence Branch, in partnership with U.S. Rep. Herb Conaway. Services include new applications, renewals, photos and paperwork assistance. To schedule an appointment, call the County Clerk’s Passport Office at 609-989-6473. Standard fees apply; expedited service is available for an additional $60.
Regular passport services are offered at two locations:
Mercer County Connection (Hamilton)
957 Highway 33, Hamilton, NJ 08690
Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Appointments required.
Trenton Passport Office
209 South Broad St., Trenton, NJ 08608
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Wednesday, 8 a.m.–6:45 p.m.
To book in Hamilton, visit the Mercer County Passport Appointments page. For Trenton or general questions, call 609-989-6473. Applicants should review required documentation in advance; details are available on the County Clerk’s “Passports” page.
