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Postal Service passport fair today

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 24, 2007

TAMPA - It takes longer to get a passport ever since the Homeland Security Department imposed tougher travel restrictions in January.

But a little relief will come today.

During the "Passport Fair" at Egypt Temple Shrine at 4050 Dana Shores Drive, the Postal Service will have 20 acceptance clerks process passport applications between 8 a.m. and noon.

Typically, there are only two to three clerks at any of three locations in Tampa, said Bridget Robertson, a spokeswoman for the Postal Service. But lines have grown longer since new rules require plane passengers to have passports when traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

"We are seeing a 30 percent uptick from the same time last year," Robertson said. "We're just trying to make it easier for our customers."

Fast Facts:

To get a passport

The process: It now takes about 10 weeks for a passport to be issued. Before the restrictions, it took about eight weeks. Expedited processing, which costs an extra $60 plus postage, previously took about 10 days but now takes about four weeks.

What to bring: Applicants must bring a certified birth certificate or previous U.S. passport in good condition and one photo ID.

Fee: The standard fee is $67 for adults, $52 for under 16, plus $30 for processing and $15 for the photo. Cash or check only.

[Last modified March 24, 2007, 01:27:22]