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Apply early for new U.S. passports 11:05 a.m., Aug. 7, 2006--U.S. Postal Service officials said members of the University community who are planning to travel abroad should note that routine processing time for new U.S. passports will increase to eight weeks at the end of this year upon the implementation of a new law requiring passports for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Applicants for new passports, especially students planning to travel abroad for vacation or studies, should start early to avoid panic and the higher costs of expedited service, Terry Clemente, the public relations representative at the Newark Post Office, said. Passports that expire in six months or less cannot be used to travel, and therefore should be renewed, Clemente said. “At the last minute, panic sets in, and they might not have all the documentation with them,” Clemente said. “It can be very difficult for students who are having a new experience in college and plan on going away, but then find out that they don't have much time or all the required documents. It involves the parents, too, because they receive the panicked calls asking for birth certificates.” Staff from the Newark Post Office will hold a passport fair on UD's Newark campus during the second week of October. The date and location of the fair will be announced soon. Applications, supporting documents and payments will be accepted at the fair for processing before the end of fall semester, Clemente said. Applications also can be submitted at the main Newark Main Post Office, 401 Ogletown Road (at the intersection of Ogletown Road and Library Avenue), from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, and from 9 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, and at Federal Station Post Office, 110 E. Main St. (at the corner of East Main Street and Center Street), Newark, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Saturdays. Payment is accepted in the form of checks, cash or debit card. In addition to English, staff at the Newark Post Office can speak Spanish, Korean and Chinese. An applicant must provide: A completed application form, which is available at the post office or online at [http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html]; one of several documents to prove U.S. citizenship, usually an original birth certificate with a raised seal; passport photographs; proof of identity in the form of a driver's license or government or military identification; application fee; and a Social Security number. An applicant with an old passport must present it with the application for a new one. An applicant who has lost a passport must attach an additional statement on a separate form available at the post office or online at [http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds64/ds64_845.html], Clemente said. The passport fee for an adult is $97, which includes a $55 application fee, a $12 security surcharge and a $30 execution fee. The required photos can be taken at the post office for $15. Expedited service with a turnaround time of two weeks is available for an additional $60 plus recommended $28.80 for express mail. However, expedited applications require supporting information, such as a travel itinerary, airline ticket or other evidence of the imminent trip. Applicants who need visas for other countries should apply for the passport early or use the expedited service, Clemente said. For more information, visit [http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html]. Article by Martin Mbugua |
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