The Ocracoke post office is now providing passport services during open hours.
It’s a full service including taking photos and making passport cards, which are not actual passports but are license-like cards travelers can use only for Canada and Mexico.
Real ID is good for travel only within the United States and its territories while passports are needed for international travel.
“I’m glad to be able to provide (this service) to the community,” said Postmaster Celeste Brooks.
She explained the following about what documents are needed for passports:
New passport for individuals or families: Certified birth certificate, photo ID, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship. Birth certificates can be ordered from your county of birth.
Expired: The old passport and your certified birth certificate. Passports are valid for 10 years.
Renewal: The old passport plus a driver’s license and the proper form filled out.
Name change: Certified marriage license or divorce decree.
Walk-ins are welcome, Brooks said, but you can also go online to www.usps.com and set up an appointment.
“For convenience sake, the online works really well,” she said.
That way you know you are set and won’t have to come back if the post office staff couldn’t take you right away.
Costs differ for the various services.
The service at the Ocracoke post office, which Brooks has tried to get for 10 years, complements the service available in the Engelhard post office because passport services aren’t available at the courthouse in Swan Quarter.
Passport services in Dare County are available in the Kitty Hawk and Buxton post offices.
