Chicago, IL – If your travel plans include visiting any country outside the USA, including Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Bahamas or Bermuda anytime soon, you will need a passport. Current regulations state in addition to presenting a valid passport book when returning to the United States by air, you’ll now need to present a U.S. passport at land borders and sea ports of entry to return home.

The Postal Service makes obtaining a new passport or renewing your old one an easy and convenient experience. The following USPS locations will extend their hours Saturday, March 3.

It is recommended that customers factor in 6 weeks for application processing time. Expedited processing of the passport application by the Department of State is available for an additional cost. Overnight delivery of the application to the Department of State by Priority Mail Express is available for a fee.   With the faster processing, customers should receive their passport approximately three weeks from the time of application.

Passport fees are $135 total for adults (16 years and older) (a separate payment of $25 to the Postal Service for its processing fee, * and $110 payable to the Department of State for the passport application fee).  For persons under 16, the total cost is $105, which includes a $25 processing fee to the Postal Service * and $80 payable to the State Department. The Postal Service also offers a passport photo service at a cost of $15.   * Note:  fees for processing passports will increase to $35 on April 2, 2018.

The application must be paid by cash or check. Credit or debit cards, as well as cash or checks, may be used to cover the cost of photos and acceptance fees.

US Passport Cards are available for less cost but are restricted for travel only to Canada and Mexico via boat or land.

The following items are needed to apply for a Passport:

• Bring in proper proof of American citizenship. This must be either a certified birth certificate issued by the city, country or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship; or a naturalization certificate. (Please note: a hospital-issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable).
• Bring in proof of identity. This must be either a previous U.S. passport, a naturalization certificate; a certificate of citizenship; or a current valid driver’s license, a government ID or military photo ID.
• Passport photograph services will be available on site for a fee of $15.
• To save time in this process, customers can download a passport application at the Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov.
• All applicants must appear in person (including minors). Applicants under age 16 must appear with both parents. If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.

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