By Andrew Coen
For the past four years, Town Hall, on Washington Avenue in Hempstead Village, has offered Long Island's only "one-stop" passport shop, and as a result of the new regulations, town officials are urging residents to take advantage of this service. "Here in Hempstead Town Hall you can get your application, have your photo taken and file your paperwork with one convenient visit," said Town Supervisor Kate Murray at a Dec. 6 press conference to announce the impending travel regulations and urge people to obtain or update their passports in December in order to adequately plan for their 2007 vacations.
The U.S Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State are implementing the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative," which is slated to take effect on Jan. 23 and will require all travelers to carry passports, with other forms of identification, such as birth certificates, no longer being valid. The provisions will Americans traveling to Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda.
"We're concerned that residents haven't heard of the changing regulations," Murray said in an interview before the press conference.
People processing their passports at Town Hall will still get them in the normal six- to eight-week time frame that applies at the post office, but according to Murray, applicants can get all the paperwork -- and the photograph -- done at the shop without having to make multiple trips. Non-town residents can file their passport applications in Hempstead as long as they are U.S citizens.
Those who need passports more quickly can pay the government an expedite fee and receive them in two to four weeks. "You literally leave our beautiful town hall here in Hempstead done with the process," Murray said.
Veronica Murphy of Baldwin was one of many people to apply for a passport at Town Hall. She was there Dec. 6 with her little brother, in anticipation of a trip to Spain in March with her family, and she said that the town's "one-stop" process was far easier than going to a post office. "I'll definitely recommend this," Murphy said.
Town Clerk Mark Bonilla said at the press conference that the town has processed more than 20,000 applications since it began its passport service four years ago, and is the largest municipal passport acceptance agency in the country. According to Murray, the shop brings in some revenue, but most funds are earmarked for salaries of employees in the clerk's office.
"As residents plan their winter recess vacations and as others make travel arrangements for the New Year, it is important that people are aware of these imminent new passport regulations," Bonilla said. "Don't get stuck in an airport in the coming year -- get your passport today at Hempstead Town Hall."
Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
