Wednesday, March 25, 2009

As part of National Passport Day, the University of North Carolina Wilmington will host a passport fair for the community 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the Auxiliary Services Office at the rear of the Warwick Center. UNC Wilmington is one of many passport processing locations across the country to participate in the day in preparation for new passport laws.

Beginning June 1, 2009, United States citizens will be required to present a passport book, passport card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government to enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and seaports of entry.

Throughout Passport Day, trained staff of the UNC Wilmington Passport Services will answer passport questions and to accept first-time passport applications. The event will include activities for children. Designated free parking will be available.

Applicants must bring the documents and information needed to apply for a passport, including a state or federal issued picture ID, and a certified birth certificate from the county or state in which they were born, a naturalization certificate or a Report of Birth Abroad document. For applicants under the age of 16, both parents must be present with their ID, or provide a notarized letter of consent or other legal documents.

Applicants must pay with a personal check. Additional information on the cost and how to apply for a passport book and/or a passport card is available at travel.state.gov or by phone, in English and Spanish, at 1.877.487.2778.

To schedule an appointment for UNCW Passport Day, the public should call 910.962.2432.

Media are invited to promote the event, and capture visual and interview opportunities upon request.

Media Contacts:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu