TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Clerk Department to serve as a Passport Acceptance Facility (PAF) as designated by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, effective October 1, 2010, and adopt, by resolution, the recommended passport acceptance and execution fee of twenty-five ($25) dollars, a passport photo fee of fifteen dollars ($15), and an express postage fee of eighteen dollars and thirty cents ($18.30).
DISCUSSION
As of June 1, 2009, all U. S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid U. S. Passport book or a Passport card.
As there are a limited number of PAFs in Long Beach, the City Clerk Department sought and received certification to act as an authorized acceptance facility.
Now that passports are required for all air travelers, including children, providing passport services at City Hall would serve as a valuable public service.
Beginning October 1, 2010, the proposed hours of operation for the passport acceptance and execution services are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or by appointment. Beginning November 1, 2010, passport photo services will be offered.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Approval of the foregoing recommendations will permit the City Clerk Department to begin passport acceptance operations and charge the recommended fees beginning October 1, 2010.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommended passport service fees will cover the cost of providing passport acceptance, execution and photograph services. Initial costs to provide passport services are estimated at $2,000. Existing staff will absorb the workload associated with this service.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs sets the level of allowable acceptance fees and the United States Postal Service (USPS) sets applicable postage rates. In the future, the rates paid by applicants to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, or for services provi...
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