CLIFTON, NJ— International travel in your plans? To make it easier to apply for a U.S. Passport, Postmaster Gus Passaro is announcing the expansion of weekend hours at the USPS Clifton Passport Center at 811 Paulison Avenue for six weeks.  From June 6 through July 19, Saturday and Sunday passport acceptance hours will expand to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The Mon. to Fri. weekday passport acceptance hours will remain 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun. weekend hours will resume on July 25.

To save additional time and simplify the submission process, Postmaster Passaro recommends bringing original documents and following these guidelines:

• Download and complete a passport application at www.travel.state.gov beforehand.
• Bring proper proof of US citizenship (as shown on the application DS-11 dated 09/2013)
• Bring proof of identity. This must be either: a recently issued U.S. passport; a recently issued naturalization certificate; a recently issued certificate of citizenship; or a current valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID.
• Bring a photocopy of your proof of identity. Each applicant must bring a front and back photocopy of the ID that will be presented at the time of passport acceptance.
• The passport application requires a recent passport photograph of you (2” x 2” in size). Photo service is available at the event.
• All applicants must appear in person (including minors).
• Minors under the age of 16 must appear with both parents. If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.

The U.S. Department of State provides detailed guidelines for preparing passport applications and supporting documents as well as current processing times on their website at: www.travel.state.gov.

If you are in a hurry, Postmaster Passaro suggests Priority Mail Express Service to and from the passport agency. In addition to expedited handling, the shipment can be tracked online.

# # #

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm. A complete list of the holiday shipping deadlines can be found at usps.com/holidaynews.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), Pinterest (pinterest.com/uspsstamps), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps), subscribe to our channel on YouTube (youtube.com/usps), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/usps) and view our Postal Postsblog (uspsblog.com).

For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.