WPCNR County Clarion-Ledger. Interview with Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni. May 6, 2006: A recent news release from County Clerk Timothy Idoni, former Mayor of New Rochelle, noted that in 7 months U.S. Citizens need to obtain United States Passports  to leave and reenter the country. WPCNR sat down with Mr. Idoni in his office  to get the details. WPCNR sat down with Mr. Idoni at his County Clerk office and got the details. Mr. Idoni warns of big lines getting passports and urges persons needing passports to plan ahead.

WPCNR: What are the new requirements for persons traveling to the Americas and other international destinations as of January 1, 2007?

Mr. Idoni: You always needed a (U.S.) Passport to go anywhere besides the Americas, those plans stay in place. But, to travel by air and by sea, beginning January 1st of next year, you must have a passport to any place in the world outside of the United States of America.

Whether it be Canada, Mexico, if you're flying to Toronto (Cananda) for some reason during the day, you're going to need a passport. If you're flying to the Bahamas, you're going to need a passport. In the past a birth certificate as sufficient. That is no longer going to be the case.
       It's very important that every U.S. Citizen, man, woman and child gets a passport for identification purposes in our opinion.
       And, on December 31, 2007 (19 months from now), you'll need it to pass U.S. borders by car. You may as well get them all now (for your family) in case you're doing any international traveling in the next twelve months, because twelve months later you'll need it no matter what.

WPCNR: Even to Mexico, Canada?

Mr. Idoni: Correct.  The  passport is quickly becoming the form of identification internationally and probably will be nationally. It will be so important for you to have a passport to go anywhere outside the United States.  I encourage people to get it because it is a really fine form of identification.
                The federal government does background checks. Most people think the passport is just a book that is sent to you and you have one. They do a background check to make sure you're an American citizen that you are who you are and you're not going to be using it for some sort of illicit operation or terrorist purposes.
                We think it is a very fine idea to come in and get one.

WPCNR: What do you think has prompted this, other than the obvious security concerns?

Mr. Idoni: I think obviously international relationships have prompted it, even between Mexico, Canada and the islands. It is very important that these countries know exactly who is coming in and out, and from a United States standpoint. 
              Let me just point out that we have heard some stories of people who have traveled to the Dominican Republic and some of the Central American countries and have problems getting back onto the plane to go back to the United States because they don't have the passport to show the agents as they're getting on to the plane to get back to their native country. Because it's such a good identification form, it's important we encourage everybody to do this.

WPCNR: Your assistant told me there are new requirements for getting passports for minors. Could you explain?

Mr. Idoni: Sure. Children under the age of 14 years require both parents to appear with the child to apply for the (child's) passport with a valid i.d. If one of the parents cannot come in, the absent parent has to send a notarized consent form to permit the other (present) parent to apply for the passport for their child.

For children 14 to 16 need to come in with one parent with a valid i.d. Fees: adults 16 years and up it is $97. Minors up to 15, $82. Photos are $10 to be taken here (at the County Clerk's office). If you want it by overnight mail it's $14.40 extra. Expedited form passport is $60. Expedited means you get it in less than four weeks.

The County Clerk's office isn't the only place you can get a passport. You can get them at local post offices, we just happen to think we do a superior job here at the County Clerk's office.

WPCNR: Are you anticipating long waiting periods?

Mr. Idoni: The waiting periods  are basically the same. They (the State Department) guarantee less than six weeks. We've very rarely seen anybody take more than four weeks, quite honestly. We don't recommend the expedited if its four weeks or more you have to wait (until you travel).  Anything less than four weeks, you're probably better off going with the expedited fee.

WPCNR: What about emergencies?

Mr. Idoni:  If you have an emergency situation, you can get a passport within 48 hours, but you have to call the passport office in Norwalk, Connecticut, directly, and they do it by appointment. They will make an appointment for you and you can go up and explain the situation. Nobody can get a passport in less than two weeks unless you can show proof that you're flying in 14 days. They will not give it to you because you want it that fast you have to prove a reason for having it.

WPCNR: What is needed to get a first passport?

Mr. Idoni: You're required to have a birth certificate, an old passport, or a naturalization certificate. Two photos, 2 inch by 2 inch on a white background, and a driver's license or a federal or state identification card.

WPCNR: What does an American citizen have to do to get a passport under the new guidelines?

Mr. Idoni: There are really no changes. Give as much information as the form requires. It is not difficult at all. You just have to be able to identify yourself that is the most important thing. A lot of people come in, they don't have a driver's license, which is the easiest identification to use.  You're required to bring in someone you've known for at least two years who does have a driver's license so we can do a background check on that person and two other forms of I.D.: they can be a social security card, credit card, learner's permit, driver's permit, an employee i.d., a school i.d., library card,  health insurance card - any two forms of  identification with another person who will vouch for you.

WPCNR: Do you anticipate any rush or more delays because of these new rules (and a rush to get passports)?

Mr. Idoni: We don't expect delays in terms of the processing (by the state department). What we do expect is longer lines of people coming in for passports because of the changes, especially at times of year when students are on their mid winter breaks or spring breaks, they'll be coming six to eight weeks before hand in order to get their passports. We're encouraging people to do it on the offseason to come in as soon as possible to get their passports because while you probably get it in six weeks, you'll stay in line longer. We're recommending people get passports as soon as possible. It's good for ten years, it's not like you're wasting money getting it sooner rather than later.

WPCNR: What documents do legal aliens need to move into and out of the United States?

Mr. Idoni: We're not responsible for that. Generally they travel on Visas which are not handled by the County Clerk's Office. They would probably go to their own consulate.

WPCNR: What advice do you have on passports for Westchester residents?

Mr. Idoni: This is going to be the primary form of identification over the next decade internationally. You should certainly have one, carry it with you whenever you're going to any place in the least bit sensitive that wants a great form of identification. A passport is better than a driver's license when it comes to I.D. They're very hard to duplicate. Where there are a lot of phony driver's licenses out there. There aren't many phony passports. It's  also important for people to have the best kind of identification in emergency situations.

WPCNR: As of January 1, 2007, take me through what I will face leaving and reentering the country.

Mr. Idoni: I don't think you're going to see much changes in the customs situations. We have not received any information that they're going to make any draconian change in the customs. Security has been picked up dramatically over the years on airports and cruise ships.

One of the things I've been told is that a number of cruise lines are asking for passports even if they're not going any place. If they're just taking a cruise out into the ocean and coming back to a New York port, they're still asking for a passport because you're going into international waters. You really should check with your cruise lines to see if they require it (a passport).

You will need a passport to leave the United States.

WPCNR: Have the new passport requirements necessitated any changes in the County Clerk's office and the way you're set up for it?

Mr. Idoni: We think we have the best operation here in terms of passports. We (the Westchester County Clerk's Office) process more passports than anybody in this region (NY, Connecticut and New Jersey). There are only 17 regional offices in the country, and a lot of passports are processed by the Norwalk office. We are their number one provider of passport applicants. We do over 5,000 a year. We're ready for the next rush, and we do believe there's going to be a rush.

WPCNR: What other places in the area can you get a passport?

Mr. Idoni: Every single United States Post office,  but you'd have to provide your own photographs. We can do it right here for you.

The County Clerk's Office is accessible from the Westchester County Court House entrance on Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, and is open five days a week. You will be processed through the courthouse security check and be directed to the third floor where you follow the hall signs to the clerk's office.

The County Clerk's office is not accessible from the Michaelian Building by the public.  For more information on line, you may contact the clerk's office website at www.westchesterclerk.com.