New Bedford City Hall now an official passport acceptance facilityNew Bedford, Massachusetts - Mayor Scott W. Lang held a press conference today to announce that the Office of the Board of Elections has been designated an official passport acceptance facility and now accepts passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. 

“We’re pleased open a passport acceptance office here in City Hall as it enables the City to offer yet another convenient service to the people of New Bedford,” stated the Mayor.  “In addition, the ability to operate the passport office here in City Hall will generate a small amount of revenue that can be used to enhance existing city services at a reduced cost to the taxpayer.”

The U.S. passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer and is required to enter and leave most foreign countries.  Beginning on January 1, 2008, under the federal government’s ‘Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative,” passport requirements were extended to all air, sea and land border crossings and includes travel to and from Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean region.  This policy change has resulted in an increased demand for new passports and passport renewals.

United States citizens planning international travel may apply for their passports at City Hall during regular business hours, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and by appointment on the evenings when City Council is in session- the second and fourth Thursday of the month.   The office is located in Room 114, New Bedford City Hall, 133 William Street in Downtown New Bedford.  Passport customers should be prepared well in advance of any international travel as the approximate time for routine processing of a passport application takes about 6 weeks. 

For application forms, information on documentation required, fees, and a wealth of other passport and international travel related information, please visit the only official website for passport information–travel.state.gov

Elizabeth Treadup (Mayor's Office)

View all articles by Elizabeth Treadup (Mayor's Office)