Tribune Staff Reports
A passport fair is set from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Brownstown Post Office, 201 S. Sugar St.
Passports are required for all international travel, including to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean or Bermuda. Current regulations state in addition to presenting a valid passport book when returning to the United States by air, you will now need to present a U.S. passport at land borders and sea ports of entry to return home.
The Postal Service recommends customers come in as early as possible to apply for their passports prior to their departure. The U.S. Department of State is currently reporting approximately six weeks for processing routine passports from the time of application.
Expedited processing of the passport application by the Department of State is available for an additional cost. This includes overnight delivery of the application by Priority Mail Express both to and from the Department of State. With the faster processing, customers should receive their passport approximately three weeks from the time of application.
To help the passport application process go smoothly and efficiently, the Postal Service recommends the following:
Bring in proper proof of American citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate issued by the city, country or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship; or a naturalization certificate. A hospital-issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable.
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, a government ID or military photo ID.
To save time in the application process, customers can download a passport application at travel.state.gov. Applications also can be picked up at the post office.
All applicants must appear in person, including minors. Applicants under age 16 must appear with both parents. If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.
Passport fees are $145 total for adults (16 years and older) with a separate payment of $35 to the Postal Service for its processing fee and $110 paid to the Department of State for the passport application fee.
For persons under 16, the total cost is $115, which includes a $35 processing fee to the Postal Service and $80 to the Department of State. The Postal Service also offers a passport photo service at a cost of $15.
The application must be paid by cash or check. Credit or debit cards and cash or checks may be used to cover the cost of photos and acceptance fees.
Information: Call 812-358-3703 or visit travel.state.gov