Passport Day popular at local post office
Passport Day popular at local post office Passports required June 2009 for Canada-Mexico travel. You don’t need them yet, but many Underwood residents were planning ahead and took the opportunity to get their passports locally. About 35 people booked appointments at the Underwood Post Office on Aug. 27. If you are planning travel to Canada or Mexico, passports will be required by June 2009. The process can take up to eight weeks, so planning ahead is essential. The United States Postal Service charges $40, a standard $25 fee and $15 for the photo, for the service for both adults and children. The charge for a passport book, which is required for International travel beyond Canada and Mexico, is $75 for adults and $60 for children, both payable to the U.S. Department of State. Passport Agent Yvonne Kandt explained that even in Canada and Mexico, a passport book will be required for air travel. Individuals that will only need proof of citizenship for driving to Canada, Mexico, or ship travel to the Caribbean can get by cheaper with a passport card. The post office fee remains the same for a passport card at $40, but the card for adults was $20 and children $10, again payable to the State Department and included a photo. In order to obtain both types of passports, residents need to provide proof of citizenship. A previous U.S. Passport, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad must be provided, along with the application. You must also provide proof of identity with one of the following: current driver’s license, military photo ID, U.S. Passport, state issued photo ID card, or government photo employee card. Local residents Burnell and Alice Johnson intended to take advantage of Passport Day, but were disappointed to find out that a certified birth certificate with an embossed seal must accompany the applicant. The Johnsons had birth certificates, but they weren’t certified. “We go south in the winter,” said Burnell. “We like to go down to Mexico and we need this to make sure we get out of Mexico”. Kandt said that applications are available at the post office to obtain a certified copy from Bismarck by mail, or people may obtain one at the state capital for a fee of $7 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy. A copy can also be obtained through e-mail and a copy of the individual’s photo driver’s license must accompany the mail or e-mail application.
