WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. From U.S. Postal Service. July 19, 2007: White Plains Post Office is hosting a Passport Fair on Thursday, July 28 as a convenience for postal customers to obtain a passport.  Postal officials will be on hand to accept passport applications on from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the White Plains Post Office, 100 Fisher Ave., White Plains, NY 10606.

As of January 23, 2007, citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are required to   present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere. Recently, the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but have not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.

White Plains Postmaster Neal Fitzpatrick explains, “The United States Postal Service can accept both first time passport applicants and passport renewals.  With enhanced travel security, passports are the prime accepted identification for travelers. The United States Postal Service in conjunction with the Department of State affords our customers this additional service at a reasonable rate”.

Postmaster Fitzpatrick offers these helpful tips for applying for a passport:

·      Fill out the passport application (DS11), before you come to the Post Office. You can download   the form from: http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

·       Bring proof of US citizenship with you and current photo identification.
·       Postal officials can take the photographs.
·       Have all your documentation with you.

·        For minors under 14 years of age, each child must appear in person and both parents or
   legal guardians must present evidence of identity.

Information on passport applications, procedures and fees can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.usps.com. click on the “Gov’t Sevices” link at the bottom of the home page, then click on “Passport Application Information”. Additional postal information is always available from the Postal Service's toll-free call center at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).