Saturday was supposed to be the fifth annual "Passport Day in the USA"―the only day of the year that that U.S. citizens could apply for passports directly at a passport agency without making an appointment.
The federal budget sequestration that took effect on March 1, though, put the kibosh on this year's edition.
Fortunately, most of the local agencies that were planning to offer passport services this weekend are moving forward, with or without the U.S. Department of State.
At the Jenkintown Library, passport services will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
"We're not allowed to call it 'Passport Day in the USA' anymore," librarian Bonnie Miller said.
"So we're just calling it 'Passport Day.'"
In Norristown, U.S. citizens can obtain a passport from the office of Montgomery County Prothonotary Mark Levy, who will hold special Saturday hours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
New applicants will be able to apply for passports, including passport cards. Passport cards allow travel by land between the US, Canada and Mexico. They also allow sea travel to Bermuda and sea ports-of-call in the Caribbean, which makes them a budget option for cruise travelers and others who won’t be leaving the country by air.
Residents of western Montgomery County may want visit either the Boyertown Community Library or the Boyertown Post Office. The post office will have passport hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., including photo services. The library will offer passport services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but no photo services will be available.
If obtaining a passport for a child, both parents must be present.
You'll need a photo for your passport. Both CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, as well as FedEx office locations, offer passport photos that will be available for purchase in minutes. Do-it-yourselfers can use an online service such as ePassportPhoto.com.
If you have an expired passport and just need to renew it, you may not need to visit an office at all. If your expired passport is undamaged, was issued in the last 15 years, was issued in your current name, and you obtained it at age 16 or older, then you can probably renew your passport by mail.
More information on how to obtain a U.S. passport is available from the State Department's travel website, travel.state.gov.
Jamie Maerz
7:00 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Don't you see our President is doing what any dictator does when he doesn't get his way - he pinishes the people. While the king (Obama) won't give up his many golf outings and other lavish trips and parties, he chooses to let illegial alien criminals loose on the piblic in Arizona, cut the staffing so it will be very hard to get to tour the White House this spring and now make it tougher on the people to get passports?! Really?! There is so much other waste and fraud in the other sectors of government and Obama chooses these things to cut? This proves that he jas never had an actual job ever before becoming President of our country and he is running it down faster than you know it.
Lee Smith
11:41 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Jamie last time I checked President Obama isn't working alone since Congress has a huge say about the budget, so clearly this administration is not a dictatorship. I wish the American people would stop being "rationally ignorant" and elect politicians in all levels of government office that best represent their supporters needs. Once the citizens of this great country do that, then there will be less fraud and waste.
joanne mamrosch
7:49 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Right one Jamie: What is the big deal to the lack of Passport Day. You can get your passport online or at the post office. Photos can be taken at any Walgreens, all you have to do is walk in the door. Too bad the administration doesn't know this, but then again, they done know much!
Tim Lewis
8:36 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I am still trying to figure out how a reduction in growth is the same as a cut. I think democrats live in an alternate reality.
Julia Nakhleh
8:36 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Does anyone know specifically where to go in Norristown for this? When I look up the Office of the Prothonotary it gives a PO Box address.
Montco IT
9:17 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Julia the Prothonotary's office is in the courthouse.
Julia Nakhleh
4:40 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Thanks Montco IT. I went there today and got everything submitted :-)
erere
10:38 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
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