Dalton Post Office to hold one-day Passport Fair

The Dalton Post Office, located at 100 South Thornton Avenue, in Dalton, GA is hosting a special one-day “Passport Fair” on Sunday, February 3, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., in the Post Office lobby. The event is part of an effort to make it easy and convenient for customers to apply for passports for travel outside the United States. Spanish-speaking customers are especially invited to attend as the Postal Service will provide Spanish-speaking employees to assist with the application process.

“We’re inviting everyone who needs a passport to come to this Sunday event,” said Dalton Postmaster Sherry Hill. “Hispanic customers who need passports should find this especially helpful as we will have Spanish-speaking employees here to assist.”

To apply for a passport, you’ll need to bring to the Post Office proof of U.S. citizenship, a Certified Birth Certificate with an Official Seal or a Naturalization Certificate, or your most recent passport. You also will need one form of photo identification: a current valid Driver’s License or a State Identification Card. You will also need two identical 2" x 2" color passport photographs, although the Dalton Post Office offers the required photo service for a fee of $15. The passport application fees are $100 for applicants age 16 and older; and $85 for those under age 16.

The Dept. of State advises that routine processing time for passports is approximately four to six weeks. Customers can request Expedited Service, for additional fees, at the time of application. Currently, Expedited passport processing time is two to three weeks.

In addition, advance applications will be accepted for the new U.S. Passport Card, offered by the Department of State. The Passport Card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports of entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. The Passport Card is expected to be available in spring 2008 and will be mailed to the customer at that time. The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.