March 20, 2009

PRESS RELEASE – Immediate

Re:  New Passport Requirements Beginning June 1, 2009

Beginning June 1, 2009, adults (16yrs and older) will be required to present a passport book or passport card when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry.

Currently through May 2009, adults traveling back from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry only need an original US birth certificate or US naturalization certificate and proof of identity.

Children under the age of 16 are exempt from the new border crossing requirements.  Therefore, children under 16 traveling by land will only be required to carry either their certified US birth certificate or naturalization certificate.  However, those family groups that would like to take advantage of the fast-clearance lanes at land border crossing will be required to have one of the approved trusted-traveler cards, such as the Passport Card, for every individual in the car.

Travel by air for adults and children will continue to require a passport book.

Processing time for passports is now taking 3 weeks from the time of submission of documents.

Acceptant Facilities in Malheur County are:   Malheur County Clerk
                                                                      251 B St West, Room 101
                                                                      County Courthouse, Vale
                                                                      8:30 am thru 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday

                                                                     Ontario Post Office
          Passport applications accepted only   10:00 am thru 3:00 pm, Monday thru Friday

For questions contact http://travel.state.gov or the Malheur County Clerk’s Office at 473-5151