Bend post office to host passport fair Saturday

For customers’ added convenience, Bend’s Main Post Office at 2300 NE 4th Street will host a Passport Fair from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 , offering customers a special one-stop opportunity for passports, passport photos and passport cards.

Customers who want to take advantage of this special event and apply for a new passport at the Passport Fair must make an appointment in advance by dialing 503-294-2350 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Appointments are limited, so customers are urged to call and request a spot as soon as possible.

“We hope having this special Saturday event makes the passport process quick and convenient for customers who may be unable to make it in to the Post Office during our weekday passport service hours,” said Bend Postmaster Nathan Leigh.

Regular passport hours at the Bend Main Post Office are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; passport applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis during those regular weekday hours.

Leigh recommended travelers apply for a passport or passport card at least two months prior to trip departure and bring all required documentation to the event.

Postal clerks will also provide photo services for $15 per photo.

Identification, including a copy, is required to prove U.S. citizenship, such as:

Previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county, or state (Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable) Consular report of birth abroad or birth certificate Naturalization certificate Certificate of citizenship

In addition, one current ID is required, such as:

Naturalization certificate Valid driver’s license Current government ID (city, state or federal) Current military ID (military and dependents)

The passport application also requires a recent passport photograph (2″ x2″). Photos can be taken at participating Post Offices for a $15 fee.

The cost for a passport book is $135 for adults (16 years and older), with separate payments of $110 paid to the State Department for the passport application fee and $25 to the Postal Service for its processing fee (set by the Department of State). For persons under 16, the cost is $105, with separate payments of $80 and $25 respectively.

The cost of passport cards for adults (16 years and older) is $55: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for the processing fee; and a $30 separate payment to the State Department for the passport application fee. The passport card cost for those under 16 is $40: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee; and a $15 separate payment to the State Department for the passport application fee. Children under 16 must be accompanied by both parents when applying for a passport or passport card.

To make the process as quick as possible, applicants are strongly encouraged to print and complete their applications ahead of time by going online at usps.com/passport . Use only black ink and do not sign the application form, as the passport acceptance clerk must witness the signing. Customers may also obtain a form at any passport office.

In most cases, passport renewals do not require an in-person application process; full information is available at travel.state.gov .

Customers can go to usps.com/passport or call 1-800-ASK-USPS to get the location of passport Post Offices nearest them and their passport customer service hours. All applications are sent to the U.S. State Department for final processing and approval.

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