Posted on: Friday, March 25, 2005

Passport office adds rapid service

Advertiser Staff

The Honolulu Passport Agency today will launch an automated telephone appointment system for those who will be traveling within 14 days or who are pressed for time because they must meet visa deadlines.

Appointments for Monday and the two weeks beyond will be scheduled through the new system starting today.

And, effective Monday, the agency office, located in room 1-330 at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building, will be open only by appointment, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.

The agency will join the remaining 12 passport facilities on the Mainland that already use the automated system.

The public can schedule appointments 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling, toll-free, (877) 487-2778.

Appointments can be scheduled for up to seven household members at one time.

Those who are traveling later or do not need rapid service can apply for passports at one of 19 Passport Acceptance Facilities, including the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and some libraries, post offices and community colleges.

A list of the facilities can be found using the agency's online search engine at iafdb.travel.state.gov/DefaultForm.aspx.

The agency site (travel.state.gov) also has information on application requirements and forms available for downloading.