Don't let passport problems spoil summer travels

The County Clerk of the Board offers passport services and advises travelers to prepare for summer trips by carefully reviewing the latest requirements. The Clerk of the Board is available to explain recent changes and offer important tips.

The Clerk of the Board has seen a significant increase in passport applications after the US State Department began requiring passports for airline travelers returning from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. The new rules have delayed turnaround time from six weeks to more than ten weeks.

Due to the backlog, US citizens who have applied for but not yet received passports can use a government-issued photo identification and official proof of passport application until September 30, 2007.

The following tips will ensure travelers have the proper documents:

• Those who have applied for a passport through the county or another agency can check their application status on the State Department’s Web site at http://travel.state.gov/passport.

• They can check with the airline to make sure they have the appropriate documentation and check with the country where they are traveling to make sure they have appropriate documentation to enter the country.

• They shouldn’t wait until the last minute to get the information they need!

County passport services are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the County Administration Center. To find out more, visit http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/cob/passport/index.html or call (619) 531-5600.