Mesa Post Office Offers Passport Fairs at Mesa Community College Campuses, Wednesday, Sept. 12 and Thursday, Sept. 20

DATES/TIMES:
9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 12; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20

LOCATIONS:
Mesa Community College campuses:
Sept. 12 at MCC Red Mountain Campus (Mesquite Bldg., Rm. M213), 7110 E. McKellips Rd.;
Sept. 20 at MCC Dobson & Southern Campus, Kirk Student Center, (Building 35), 1833 W. Southern Ave.

EVENT:
As a community service and in response to increased customer demand for passports because of new federal travel rules for international travel, the Mesa Post Office will host Passport Fairs this month at two Mesa Community College campuses.

Mesa Postmaster Robert Hurley said the first Passport Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 12, on campus in Room M213 in the Mesquite Building at MCC Red Mountain Campus, 7110 E. McKellips Rd.  The second Passport Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at MCC's Kirk Student Center, Building 35.

The sessions are being offered as a convenient opportunity for anyone needing a U.S. passport. Customers are asked to arrive early in order to complete the application process before the events close.

 “We appreciate Mesa Community College's cooperation in hosting these Passport Fairs,” said Hurley. “These events will provide students and the entire community a convenient opportunity to apply for their U.S. passports on campus.”

Postal employees will also offer passport photo service and — at these two events only — will offer a discounted passport photo fee of just $7.50 to MCC students or employees who present a current valid MCC photo ID. (The regular passport photo fee is $15.)

Detailed information and printable passport applications are available at the U.S. State Department's website: http://travel.state.gov/passport.

Those planning to apply for a passport at the event are strongly encouraged to obtain the appropriate application forms online, print them and fill them out ahead of time to speed up the process.

Applicants must also bring the following required documentation:

1. Evidence of U.S. Citizenship: Certified Birth Certificate, Prior U.S. Passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Naturalization. (No photocopies accepted.)
2. Valid photo identification: Driver's License, Official Military ID, or other Government ID. A state-issued ID is not valid by itself; an additional ID is required. Permits are NOT acceptable.
3. If not obtaining photos at the event: Two color passport photos: 2”x2” head and shoulders only, face forward, with a white background. Black & white photos are NOT accepted. Customers without appropriate photos may take advantage of passport photo service offered by the USPS on-site for $15, or $7.50 for MCC students or employees with current valid MCC photo ID.
4. Social Security Number.
5. Completed application with legible printing. The form may not be signed prior to the application procedure and no white-out may be used on the form.
6. Passport fees (Customers may bring checks to pay these fees — or may use cash to purchase money orders):
   Adult: 16 years of age and older valid for 10 years require a $67 check or money order payable to U.S. Department of State and a separate $30 credit, check or cash payable to the U.S. Postal Service;
   Child:  Under 16 years of age, valid for five years. A $52 check or money order payable to U.S. Department of State and a separate $30 credit, check or cash payable to USPS. (Children under age 14 must be accompanied by both parents or by one parent with a notarized statement of consent form from the absent parent.)

The Department of State's expedited passport processing service is available for an additional $60 fee. For current passport processing times, please visit www.travel.state.gov. Express Mail® service is the fastest way to ship and receive your passport at a cost of $16.25 each way.