×

JVB Check It Out

September through March is generally considered an “off-peak” travel times and it also is a great time to get a passport for spring and summer 2018 travel.

Need to get a passport but can’t get take the time off work to visit the post office or prothonotary’s office? Don’t worry — the library can help! The library is an official Passport Acceptance Facility and open after work and on weekends.

The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., also will take your passport photo, making the library a one-stop shop for all your passport needs.

U.S. citizens re-entering the United States must present a passport book, passport card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government, which are listed at travel.state.gov. Passport cards are only accepted for travel by driving between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico and seas of port in the Caribbean. Passport books are required for all air travel.

Pennsylvania residents have been granted an extension for the REAL ID Act, which means that current PennDOT-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards can be used to enter federal facilities and board domestic commercial flights through October 10, 2018. However, State Department officials recommend getting a passport before this date to ensure that there are no issues with your travel plans.

The State Department reports that passport processing times typically range from four to six weeks but can be as long as 10-12 weeks during peak application periods.

All passport applicants must apply in person, regardless of age. When a child is under 16, both parents must be present and show identification when applying for their child’s passport. If one parent is unable to come, a notarized Statement of Consent from the absentee parent can be used.

To apply for a passport, you will need the following:

• One passport photo that meets the U.S. guidelines. The Brown Library will take one for you for a charge.

• Passport application form, the DS-11, which is available at the library or the Passport Agency website at http://travel.state.gov/.

• Proof of citizenship, such as an original birth certificate, or a current or previous U.S. passport.

• Proof of identity, current valid U.S. driver’s license or state-issued identification card, a military I.D. card or government-issued photo I.D. card.

There are fees associated with getting a passport based on age. All payment must be made in the form of a check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State, along with a separate payment for processing paid to the James V. Brown Library either by cash, check or credit card.

State Department officials also encourage renewing soon because many countries are now enforcing a requirement for at least six months’ validity on a United States passport. Most Americans can renew passports by mail for a fee.

For your convenience, passport applications are accepted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The library also will take photos for those who need photo identification for testing purposes. The same $10 charge applies.

For more information about passport requirements, visit http://jvbrown.edu/passport/.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today