'Extremely High Demand' For US Passports Prompts RivCo USPS Events

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — The U.S. Postal Service announced over the weekend that people who are considering international travel during the upcoming winter holidays should get their passports in order now.

"Due to extremely high demand, the current processing time for new passports is three months or more," according to the USPS. "Passport agency officials advise those planning international travel to submit their passport applications as far in advance of their departure dates as possible."

To that end, the USPS is hosting "a blizzard" of passport fairs on July 15 at 25 post offices across San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. One additional post office, in North Palm Springs, will be hosting a passport fair on July 22.

Postal employees at all 26 locations will accept applications for new U.S. passports during these events.

"With the 4th of July barely in our rearview mirrors, it may seem a little early to be thinking of Christmas, but that’s not the case if you’re thinking of international travel during the holidays," the USPS said.

The scheduled July 15 passport fairs:

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Alpine at 2127 Arnold Way

8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Calimesa at 600 W Avenue L

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Carmel Mountain at 11251 Rancho Carmel Dr.

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Chula Vista at 340 Oxford St.

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in College Grove at 3426 College Ave.

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Colton at 265 N 7th St.

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in El Cajon at 401 W Lexington Ave.

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Encinitas at 1150 Garden View Rd.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fallbrook at 747 S Mission Rd.

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Jamul at 13961 Campo Rd.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in La Mesa at 8064 Allison Ave.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in La Quinta at 79125 Corporate Center Dr.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Moreno Valley at 24040 Postal Ave.

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Otay Mesa Annex at 2960 Fern Ave.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Palm Springs at 333 N Sunrise Way

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Redlands at 201 Brookside Ave.

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Riverfront at 2600 Camino Del Rio N

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Riverside Downtown at 3890 Orange St.

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Tecate at 441 Tecate Rd.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Temecula at 30777 Rancho California Rd.

11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Thermal at 87200 Airport Blvd.

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in University City at 3298 Governor Dr.

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Victorville at 16333 Green Tree Blvd.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Winchester at 28453 Winchester Rd.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Yucaipa at 12460 California St.

The scheduled July 22 passport fair:

7 a.m. to 11 a.m. in N Palm Springs at 64117 Dillon Rd.

Customers attending the above events will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is not required.

Routine and expedited new passport applications will both be accepted. Payment of U.S. Passport Agency fees must be made with cash, debit cards or money orders, according to the USPS.

Applicants are advised to complete their DS-11 new passport application in advance, print it and bring it unsigned to the event with an acceptable passport photo, fees and documents. The DS-11 application form can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/forms.html

For information on new passport application requirements, forms and fees, go to www.travel.state.gov or call the toll-free National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778.