Planning A Trip Abroad? 2 Hillsborough Libraries Offer Passports

VALRICO, FL -- Starting this month, two Hillsborough County libraries will offer another resource: U.S. passport application acceptance.

First-time passport applicants must submit their documentation and sign their paperwork in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. In a partnership with the U.S. Department of State, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system is joining the list of acceptance locations as yet another way that libraries can offer a convenient service that will make life a little less stressful.

Library staff trained by the Department of State will accept passport applications and fees two days a week at the Port Tampa City Library, 4902 W. Commerce St. in Tampa, and three days a week at Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.

Appointments are necessary, and can be made by calling (813) 273-3652. An appointment must be made for each applicant, and all applicants must be present. Library passport services are for new applicants, and not for renewal services.

Travelers are reminded to apply for a passport card or passport book well before their trip. It typically takes the Department of State four to six weeks to process an application.

The Port Tampa City and Bloomingdale Regional library locations were selected by library officials to offer the service because there are no other Passport Acceptance Facilities nearby. The Bloomingdale library service also will offer evening and Saturday hours.

For complete information about what’s required to apply for a passport, a link to the application, and a list of fees, click here.

Image via DOI Gov

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