Passport Day in the USA Offers Appointment-Free Saturday Ser

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Passport Day in the USA Offers Appointment-Free Saturday Service


Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC

March 28, 2011




On Saturday, April 9, the Department of State will host its third annual “Passport Day in the USA.” U.S. citizens throughout the country can apply for a passport book or passport card at any one of the regional passport agencies or participating passport acceptance facilities, including post offices and clerks of court. With summer vacation approaching, this event is the perfect opportunity to apply for a passport.
The Department’s newest agencies in San Diego, El Paso, Texas, and St. Albans, Vt. will be open to the public on Passport Day. Recently opened agencies along the southern and northern borders will also be open in Dallas, Detroit, Minneapolis, Buffalo, N.Y., and Tucson, Ariz. Public counters at facilities in Hot Springs, Ark. and Portsmouth, N.H. will be open as well.
Regional passport agencies will be open for extended Saturday hours. For this day only, no appointment is necessary, and U.S. citizens without travel plans in the next 14 days may apply directly at a regional passport agency. Both routine and expedited processing service may be requested. Families should be aware that passports for children under 16 expire every five years. Both parents and child need to appear or the non-appearing parent must submit a notarized “Minor Consent” form.
Many non-Department passport acceptance facilities around the country will also be hosting “Passport Day in the USA” events. U.S. citizens can visit http://travel.state.gov/passportday to find participating acceptance facilities in their area.
The website also contains complete information about what is needed to apply for a passport, as well as the application fees, processing times, and regional passport agency and non-Department acceptance facility locations and hours of operations. U.S. citizens may also call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TTY at 1-888-874-7793.
For press inquiries, call (202) 647-1488 or email CAPRESSREQUESTS@state.gov.


PRN: 2011/487