The coronavirus pandemic has led to a massive backlog when it comes to passport renewals, and Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon is urging the State Department to take action.

Hanlon is outlining her concerns in a letter. She says she's getting frantic phone calls from residents who are supposed to travel internationally.

In her letter to officials, she writes, "Please consider the hiring and training of full-time and temporary staff, moving employees from other areas of the State Department to assist with phone calls and emails, as well as setting up a call center. In addition, please consider an extension of the expiration date for all U.S. passports, that have recently expired or are scheduled to expire within the next six months."

The wait to renew, or get a passport, currently could be up to 18 weeks.