Post Offices to Hold Passport Fairs

Multiple events to be held in upcoming months

HAMPTON ROADS—Are you planning any business or vacation travel outside of the United States?  Do you need a passport or passport card? There’s a whole word out there to explore, and post offices throughout Hampton Roads can help you get started.  By submitting a passport application during one of the passport fairs being held throughout the summer, travelers can prepare in advance of trips requiring passports or passport cards and beat the application rush when the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) takes effect.  Areas that fall under the WHTI are Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and 17 regions in the Caribbean.

Since January 2007, all persons traveling by air outside of the United States have been required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. Currently, U.S. citizens traveling by land and sea need to present a passport, passport card or a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship. In June 2009, the U.S. government is expected to implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the WHTI in which citizens entering the United States via land and sea ports must present a passport or passport card.

June 14, Sat., 10 am – 2 pm, Witchduck Station, 4831 Columbus St., Virginia Beach
June 14, Sat., 10 am – 2 pm, Chesapeake Main Office, 1425 Battlefield Blvd. North, Chesapeake
June 18, Wed., 10 am –  3 pm, Milan Station, 3800 Colley Ave., Norfolk
June 21, Sat., 10 am – 2 pm, Acredale Station, 1225 Kempsville Rd., Virginia Beach
June 25, Wed., 10 am – 2 pm, Ocean View Station, 9631 1st View St., Norfolk
June 28, Sat., 10 am – 2 pm, Princess Anne Station, 2509 George Mason Dr., Virginia Beach

First time applicants can obtain Form DS-11, Application for Passport, at many post offices, or go to www.travel.state.gov and click on “passports” to download applications and instructions.  Proof of identity (such as a current, valid driver’s license or government ID) and proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a certified birth certificate or Certificate of Naturalization) are required.  Applicants must appear in person, including minors who must have both parents or legal guardians present evidence of identity.

Passport book fees for normal processing, which takes approximately six weeks, are as follows:

Passport cards, valid for land and sea crossing between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean only, cost $45 for adults and $35 for minors.  Passport cards are not valid for air travel.
 
*U.S. Dept. of State fees may be paid with a check or money order, payable to “U.S. Dept. of State”
**USPS acceptance fee and photo fee may be paid with cash, check, money order, or credit or debit card, payable to “Postmaster.”