Library certified to process passport applications

The Canton Public Library is pleased to announce that it has been certified as a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility.

Courtesy of the Canton Public Library

This re-establishes a local service center for processing new passport applications, which had been provided by the Canton town clerk’s office until federal law prohibited agencies that administer birth certificates from also processing passport applications. The Board of Selectmen asked the library to take over the service.

Library Director Mark Lague indicated that he and the Board of Library Trustees agree that the issuance of passports is a “service that should be offered here in Canton, and the library welcomes the opportunity to provide this important service to the community.”

Four members of the library staff have taken the day-long acceptance agents training at the Boston Passport Agency and will be required to maintain currency as the regulations affecting passport applications are subject to change.

Lague noted that applications will be accepted by appointment only.

“The library cannot otherwise guarantee the availability of trained personnel at all times that the library is open,” he said. “We are taking this on without additional staffing, and our staff is already spread across many hours, but we recognize the importance of providing some evening and Saturday hours.”

Lague further noted that the library can offer a “one-stop shopping facility for travelers who could at once apply for a passport, pick up travel guides and language learning software.”

Other passport application acceptance centers are located in the Norwood, Stoughton, Randolph, Milton and Avon post offices. Passport applicants should begin by visiting travel.state.gov for documentation and fee requirements.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Sep 21 2011. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.