CLIFTON, NJ— Normally closed on federal holidays, the Postal Service’s Clifton NJ Passport Center will be open on Columbus Day to make it easier to apply for a U.S. Passport. Christopher Columbus and his crew may not have needed passports 523 years ago in 1492; but passports are now an essential part of international travel in 2015. The special holiday hours at the Postal Passport Center at 811 Paulison Avenue on Monday, October 12 are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The U.S. Department of State is projecting an increase in passport applications through 2018. Applicants typically receive their passports more quickly when applying between the months of September to December. Detailed guidelines for preparing passport applications, a list of the necessary supporting documents, and current processing times are posted online at: www.travel.state.gov.
The United States Postal Service operates thousands of Post Offices around the country that can accept passport applications on behalf of the United States Department of State. The Clifton Postal Passport Center accepts first time passport applications and renewal passport applications. You can also have your passport photo taken on-site for an additional fee.
As with most federal holidays, Post Offices will be closed and only Priority Mail Express will be delivered on Columbus Day. Normal mail delivery, collections, and retail services will resume on Tuesday, October 13.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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