Troy — While all eyes are on Rio this week, local families, students, newlyweds or business travelers may have different international destinations in mind.  One thing is common:   You probably need a passport.

And postal officials note that a Saturday in August is not too soon to secure passports for fall travels.

To make it easier to apply for a U.S. Passport, the Postal Service in Rome is hosting A PASSPORT AFTERNOON with extended hours in Troy on Saturday, August 13, exclusively for passports.

The Troy Post Office, 400 Broadway, will offer exclusive passport acceptance services between the hours of 1 pm and 4 pm on Saturday afternoon. 

No appointment is necessary. Postal clerks can even take your official passport photo on site.

Routine passport processing through the State Department is now estimated at six weeks.  

Postal officials encourage applicants to bring original documents and follow these guidelines:

• Download and complete a passport application at www.travel.state.gov beforehand. 
• Bring proper proof of U.S. 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).
• 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.

Source:  Department of State

This Saturday’s Troy Post Office passport event adds extra hours exclusively for what can sometimes be a time-consuming process.  The Troy location does not usually process passports on Saturdays.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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