Brookside Main Post Office Passport Services

At the Brookside Main Post Office, for the federal application fee itself, you’ll need a check or money order made payable to the ‘U.S. Department of State.’ They are quite strict on this, so cash or credit cards cannot be used for the federal portion. However, for the execution fee, which is currently $35, you have more flexibility. The Brookside Main Post Office accepts credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), debit cards, cash, or a personal check made payable to ‘USPS.’ It’s always a prudent measure to bring both a personal checkbook and a credit card for the execution fee to ensure a smooth transaction. They do not have an ATM on-site, so plan accordingly for any cash needs before your appointment. Be prepared to pay these two fees separately.

After your passport application has been successfully processed and mailed from the Brookside Main Post Office, tracking its progress is a straightforward process. The clerk at Window 3 will provide you with a receipt that includes a tracking number or identifier, usually on the same day as your appointment. You can then visit the official U.S. Department of State’s passport tracking website at passportstatus.state.gov and enter the provided information. Generally, it takes about 7-10 business days from the date of application acceptance at the Brookside facility for your application status to first appear in the online system. If you have chosen expedited processing, the system may update slightly faster. The Brookside staff are not able to provide real-time updates once the application leaves their facility, so the online tracker is your primary resource.

The Brookside Main Post Office maintains consistent operating hours for its general postal services and passport appointments, making it relatively predictable for planning your visit. For passport acceptance services specifically, appointments are typically available Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. It’s important to note that while the Post Office itself may open earlier or close later for mail services, the passport window often adheres to a slightly narrower schedule, ensuring dedicated staff availability. They do not offer passport services on Saturdays or Sundays. It’s always best practice to confirm the exact hours and your appointment slot, especially around federal holidays, by calling the facility directly or checking their official USPS page online before you make the approximately 0.1-mile drive from your home if you’re local to Brookside.

If your child, defined as anyone under 16 years old, needs a passport, the application process at Brookside Main Post Office requires the presence of both parents or legal guardians. Both parents must appear in person with the child at the appointment at Window 3, bringing their valid government-issued identification. Additionally, you will need to present the child’s original birth certificate (or other proof of U.S. citizenship) and a passport photo taken within the last six months. If one parent is unavailable, specific notarized consent forms (DS-3053) are required, along with a copy of that parent’s ID. The Brookside staff are very experienced with these requirements and can guide you through the specifics, but it’s crucial to have all documentation ready to avoid delays. This dual-parent requirement is strictly enforced to protect against international parental child abduction.

For those facing imminent international travel, the Brookside Main Post Office offers expedited passport processing, but it’s essential to understand the associated costs and timeframes. When applying, you can opt for expedited processing for an additional fee of $60, which significantly reduces the federal government’s processing time. Furthermore, you can pay for 1-2 day delivery of your completed passport book for another $19.53. While the Brookside facility will expedite the mailing of your application to the processing center, it is critical to remember that even expedited applications still take several weeks. As of November 2024, expedited service averages 2.5 weeks. If your travel is truly urgent – within 2-3 weeks – consider scheduling an appointment at a regional passport agency, such as the one in Philadelphia, as Brookside cannot facilitate same-day issuance.

The passport office is located at 2 EAST MAIN STREET, BROOKSIDE, NJ 7926. Get directions

Hours are . Call ahead at 9735437878.0 to confirm before visiting.

Photos on-site: 1. If available, photos typically cost around $15 in cash.

Routine processing takes 12-13 weeks. Expedited service (additional $60 fee) takes 7-9 weeks. Our expedited service gets your passport in 3-10 days.

Most facilities accept check or money order. You’ll need two separate payments: one to “U.S. Department of State” ($130) and one to “BROOKSIDE MAIN POST OFFICE” ($35). Cash may not be accepted.

Handicap access: 1. The facility is ADA compliant with accessible entrances and facilities.

Parking for the Brookside Main Post Office at 2 East Main Street requires a bit of local knowledge to navigate efficiently, especially during peak hours. The most convenient option is the small, public parking lot directly behind the post office, accessible via Brookside Road, which runs parallel to Main Street. This lot, while not specifically designated for the post office, offers approximately 15 free spaces. However, during the midday postal rush, typically between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, these spots fill quickly. It’s usually a 0.05-mile, one-minute walk from the rear of this lot to the post office’s side entrance. Alternatively, on-street parking is available along East Main Street itself. There are about 8-10 metered spaces directly in front of the post office, costing $1.00 per hour, payable at a single kiosk near the entrance. These meters are enforced Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For passport appointments, arriving 10-15 minutes early is a sound strategy to secure one of these prime spots, especially as the appointment itself will take a solid 20-30 minutes, requiring at least one hour of parking time. For longer visits or if the immediate spots are taken, free parking can be found in a larger municipal lot about two blocks west, behind the Black Horse Inn on Main Street. This 40-space lot is a reliable choice, though it entails a 0.25-mile, 5-minute walk back to the post office. During winter months, especially after a snowfall, street parking on East Main can be limited due to snowbanks, and the municipal lot becomes the safest bet. Summer months offer ample parking but plan for direct sun exposure if you park on Main Street.

No, passport renewals cannot be done at acceptance facilities. Renewals must be mailed directly to the State Department using Form DS-82, or you can use our expedited renewal service.

If you’re traveling soon, our expedited service can get your passport in as little as 3 days. We handle everything from document review to delivery, with 24/7 support. Call 800-860-8610 to get started.