USPS to Host Passport Fair at Latino Book Fair

Passports Necessary for Trips Outside of the U.S.

CHICAGO, IL — To help travelers prepare for international trips, the Chicago District will hold a Passport Fair during the Latino Book Fair 2009, March 28-29, at Unity School, 2100 S. Laramie Avenue.

The passport fair will run Saturday, March 28 from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.

The cost of passports for adults (16 years and older) is $100: $25 in a separate payment to the Postal Service for its processing fee; and a $75 separate payment (by check or money order only) to the U.S. Department of State for the passport application fee.

The passport cost for those under 16 is $85: $25 in a separate payment to the Postal Service for its processing fee; and a $60 separate payment (by check or money order only) to the State Department for the passport application fee.

All applicants must appear in person, including minors. Applicants under 16 must be accompanied by both parents.

Passport cards — a less expensive, smaller and more convenient alternative for frequent travelers to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean by land or sea — also will be available at the fair. They cannot be used for air travel to any international destination.

Passport cards for persons 16 years and older will cost $45: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee; and a $20 separate payment (by check or money order only) to the State Department for the passport application fee. Passport cards for those under 16 will cost $35: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee; and a $10 separate payment (by check or money order only) to the State Department for the passport application fee.

Passport photo service also will be available at the fair for $15. Those who will not have their pictures taken at the fair must bring two identical 2" x 2" color photos to submit with the passport application. State Department rules require that these photos are no older than six months.

Customers must bring these two forms of identification: a current drivers’ license or state ID, and a certified birth certificate with an official seal — or a naturalization certificate for naturalized citizens.

Customers can call Esmeralda Dominguez at 312-983-8014, or go to www.usps.com/passport for additional information. To save time, passport applications can be downloaded at www.usps.com/passport to fill out (but not sign) in advance.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.