[wanabidii] Press Releases: Passport Awareness Month 2015 - "Apply Early" Campaign

You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Press Releases: Passport Awareness Month 2015 - "Apply Early" Campaign 09/01/2015 11:03 AM EDT Passport Awareness Month 2015 - "Apply Early" Campaign Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 1, 2015 The U.S. Department of State is celebrating Passport Awareness Month during September by launching an “Apply Early” campaign for U.S. citizens thinking about renewing their current passports or applying for the first time. The Department is expecting an increase in passport applications through 2018 and encourages travelers to submit passport applications well ahead of their planned travel dates in order to avoid delays receiving their travel documents. Typically, applicants can receive their passports more quickly when applying between the months of September to December. Renewing an adult’s passport may be done conveniently by mail at any time if the applicant meets certain criteria. Children and adults applying for the first time must appear in person at a passport acceptance facility, including designated U.S. post offices, clerks of court, and public libraries. Passport acceptance facilities offer routine service (4-6 weeks) and expedited service (3 weeks). The expedited service costs an additional $60. Applying during the off-peak months of September, October, and November can help ensure passports are processed within the service commitments. The Department is offering weekend hours at passport agencies throughout the country on select Saturdays during September and October as an added convenience for people to apply or renew early. In 2007, the Department experienced an unprecedented surge in passport applications, issuing over 18 million passports as a result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Nearly ten years later, those passports are beginning to expire, and the Department has been experiencing increased demand for passport renewals. The Department issued 14 million passports in 2014 and the increased demand is expected to continue through 2018. For more information on how or where to apply, please visit Travel.State.Gov/ApplyEarly or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778/1-888-874-7793 (TTY/TTD). For media inquiries please contact CAPRESSREQUESTS@state.gov. The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. Stay connected with the State Department:       External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to other non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of State. This email was sent to wanabidii@googlegroups.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520

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