Post Office making it easier to travel abroad

The Post Office, located at 123 Central St., began offering passport service in January.

"This is a real convenient service for our customers who are planning to travel out of the country," said Postmaster Richard J. Goguen.

Passport applications will be accepted Mondays to Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.

Goguen stated the new service means persons seeking passports can have their applications processed in locally without having to leave town, saving them time. The Post Office also takes passport photos for $15, making the procedure a one-stop process. Both parents must accompany children under 14 applying for a passport, and one parent must be present for children 14- to 17-years-old.

There are new regulations requiring a passport for all air travel to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Goguen recommends persons applying for their passports at least two months before their departure to avoid extra costs to expedite an application.

Other requirements in applying for a passport, he said, include evidence of citizenship, two passport photos, and current photo identification.

Passport fees can be paid by check or cash. Passports cost a total of $97 for persons 16 years of age and over; $82 for persons under age 16, and $67 for passports being renewed.

To save time, passport applications can be downloaded at www.usps.com/passport to complete a passport beforehand, Goguen stated.