Summer is a great time to travel and see the world. Unfortunately many people do not have a passport when the opportunity arrives for international travel. Some citizens think that the paperwork is too much of a hassle. The USPS actually makes the process easier by holding Passport Fairs within local locations throughout the US. One such place is the Gulf Shores Post Office.

This weekend on June 7, the Gulf Shores location will be hosting a Passport Fair where you can even get you picture taken between 8-11:30 AM. The Post Office is located at 2149 W 1st St in Gulf Shores.

To save time, customers may visit www.usps.com/passport to learn about the application process and download and complete an application form (except for signature) before coming to the Passport Fair. To obtain a passport, applicants may prepare as follows:

• Bring proper proof of American citizenship. This must be either a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state, naturalization certificate (a hospital-issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable), consular report of birth abroad, certificate of citizenship or a previous U.S. passport.
• Each applicant must bring a clear photocopy of their proof of American citizenship that will be presented at the time of passport acceptance. If the document is two sided, then a photocopy of the front and back of the document must be provided.
• Bring proof of identity. This must be either a previous U.S. passport or passport card, certificate of naturalization with identifiable photo attached, certificate of citizenship with identifiable photo attached, valid driver’s license (not temporary or learner’s permit), official U.S. military or military dependent identification card, government employee identification card (federal, state, municipal, county) or current valid foreign passport.
• The passport application requires your recent color passport photograph (2” x 2” in size), which may be taken by a postal photographer for a $15 fee.
• Minors under the age of 16 must appear with both parents. If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.

An adult Passport Book must be accompanied by a check or money order for $130 payable to the U.S. State Department and a $35 acceptance fee payable to Postmaster. An adult Passport Card is $30 with a $35 acceptance fee. An adult seeking both a Passport Book and a Passport Card will pay $160 to the U.S. State Department and a $35 acceptance fee to the Postmaster.

Fees for children under 16 are $100 for the Passport Book and a $35 acceptance fee. A child’s Passport Card will cost $15 with a $35 acceptance fee. A Passport Book and a Passport Card for a child is $115 plus a $35 acceptance fee.

Customers can call 1-800-ASK-USPS or go to the Postal Service’s Website www.usps.com to get the location of other nearby passport Post Offices and their passport customer service hours. Passport customers may also check the U.S. State Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov to obtain additional information.