BROOKLYN, NY – Take advantage of applying for a passport at the Kensington Post Office, 419 Mc Donald Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11218 on Sunday, December 20, 2015 during special hours from 8:30am – 12:30pm. Convenient Sunday hours make it easy for customers to bring the whole family so that they can take the first step towards a fantastic vacation – together!  

The Kensington Post Office will offer onsite passport photos. .

Passport Events occur regularly at post offices throughout New York City – providing a relaxed atmosphere with postal professionals ready to make the transaction quick and easy.

TIPS for first time passport applications:

• Be sure not to sign the application (DS11) until instructed to do so by the Passport Acceptance Agent
• Must provide the applicant’s SSN in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6039E 
• Bring proof of US citizenship (provide one of the following)
  • Previous fully valid U.S. Passport
  • Certified U.S. birth certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
• Bring Proof of identity (Current, valid driver’s license, government ID or Military ID)
• Minors under age 16 must appear in person to apply. Parental or Guardian Consent Guide   (Special requirements for minors ages 16 & 17)
• All minors regardless of age, including newborns and infants, must have their own passport when traveling internationally by air

Post Office locations that accept passport applications offer the products and services needed for first-time passport applications or answer questions about renewing a passport.  However, applicants may prepare passport application forms prior to visiting the post office.  Instructions are provided with each set of documents. 

It’s a good time to check expiration dates on passports.

• U.S. passport books and U.S. passport cards for adults are valid for 10 years.
• U.S. passport books or U.S. passport cards for minors under age 16 are valid for 5 years.

During regular weekly business schedules at post offices, apply at any one of the USPS Passport Service Offices.  The flexible morning and afternoon hours make applying for the kids passports convenient during school closings.  

Start planning your vacation getaway now.  According to U.S. Department of State applications are being processed and returned within approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the time of application. Expedited passport service is available.

Extensive information is always available at usps.com on the Apply for a Passport page.
In 2014, the Postal Service accepted approximately 5.4 million passport applications at retail locations across the country.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

# # #

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 about.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.