Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

August 9, 2010

Passport fair at post office

KANDACE MCCOY kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — For those interested in getting a passport or traveling internationally, the Mt. Vernon Post Office is offering a “Passport Fair,” from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

“The Postal Service has made it much more convenient for customers to travel internationally by increasing the number of offices that process passport applications, nationwide,” said Mt. Vernon Postmaster Delahunt.

Delahunt said the stream of customers coming in for passports has been steady in the past few months.

“People are still traveling,” he said. “It seems steady as ever.”

Delahunt recommends customers come in as early as possible to apply for their passports — at least two months or earlier before your departure — to avoid any extra costs involved in expediting your application.

The cost is $135 total for adults (16 years and older), with separate payments of $25 to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee and $110 paid to the State Department for the passport application fee. For persons younger than 16, the total cost is $105 with separate payments of $25 to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee and $80 to the State Department. Customers can expedite passport service by paying an additional $60 for each application. Passport photos are also available at the most Post Offices for $15.

 To help the passport application process go smoothly and efficiently, the Postal Service recommends the following:

n Bring in proper proof of American citizenship. This must be either: a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship; or a naturalization certificate. (Please note: a hospital-issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable.)

n Bring in proof of identity.  This must be either: a previous U.S. passport; a naturalization certificate; a certificate of citizenship; or a current valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID.

n The passport application requires two recent identical photographs of you.  

n To save time, customers can download a passport application at www.usps.com/ passport to complete your application beforehand.

All applicants must appear in person (including minors).  Applicants under age 14 must appear with both parents, if one parent is not available a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.

Delahunt said the average return of a processed passport is four to six weeks.

“We recommend people make an appointment, even though it’s not required,” he added. “That way we accommodate the public.”

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