Post office plans to host passport fair

The Simi Valley Post Office will be hold a passport fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2551 N. Galena Ave.

To speed the process at this special event, extra staff will be on hand to assist customers assemblyline fashion with preparing the application, insuring documents are in order and accepting the application.

No appointment is necessary. Applicants can have their passport photos taken at the event for $15.

Applicants will need to bring a certified copy of their birth certificate issued by the state of birth or an original U.S. Certificate of Naturalization; a valid photo identification, such as a California driver's license or identification card, and two passport photos.

An adult passport for ages 16 or older is valid for 10 years and costs a total of $97.

Children's passports for ages 15 and under cost a total of $82 and are valid for five years. Minors must have parental consent to obtain a passport. Minors 13 years and younger must have both parents present during the application process, and minors age 14 to 18 must have at least one parent present.

Normal passport application processing runs about six to eight weeks. A passport application can be expedited for an additional $60 fee, with passport received within three weeks. For emergency situations requiring a passport sooner, applicants should contact the Los Angeles Passport Agency directly at (310) 575-5700.

Passport forms can be downloaded at www.usps.com/passport.

For Department of State passport and travel information, go to www.travel.state.gov.

To check the status of a passport application, call the National Passport Information Center at (877) 487-2778 or visit www.travel.state.gov.

A passport is required for all air and sea travel outside the U.S.