An inceased demand for passports has prompted the city of Simi Valley to step in and help. Now, passport application services will be available not only at the Simi Valley Post Office, but at city hall as well. Applicants living inside or outside the city can take advantage of the additional service.

“It’s a brand new service that just started,” said Councilmember Glen Becerra. City officials voted to offer the service about a year ago, and the city was recently authorized by the State Department to become a passport agent.

Becerra brought the idea from the city of Santa Clarita, which was already offering the service to its residents.

“It’s a nice and convenient service to be able to offer to our residents,” he said. The post office does a great job, but it has long lines.

Due to security concerns, new rules that take effect on Dec. 31, 2006 will require travelers to carry a passport when they reenter the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. The same rules will apply for travelers who go to the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central or South America as of Dec. 31, 2005, according to State Department officials.

Passport application forms are available at city hall or can be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website at www.travel .state.gov.

Completed applications will be accepted at City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and noon and 1 and 4 p.m., by appointment only.

A copy of one’s birth certificate, two passport photos and a completed application are required.

Please call (805) 583-6066 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

––Sylvie Belmond