District Clerk's office to take passport applications in advance of June deadline

EDINBURG -- With a June 1 deadline approaching that will require all U.S. citizens to carry passports when entering the nation's ports-of-entry, border towns are bracing for an influx of applications.

And the Hidalgo County District Clerk's office will now be another place handling those last-minute lines.

The office plans to start accepting passport applications in February after a two-year process to certify as an acceptance agency.

"We know this is something that is going to be needed in a few months," District Clerk Laura Hinojosa said. "There's going to a huge rush as the deadline nears."

Congress initially set the passport deadline for land borders in 2008 but delayed the rule for more than a year at the request of some travel and tourism groups. Passports have been required for air travel from Canada and Mexico since January 2007.

Border residents who frequently commute back-and-forth across international boundaries can also apply for a PASS Card, a wallet-sized passport substitute that is only good at land crossing.

The district clerk expects about 180 to 240 applications to come through her office each day and has five employees trained to handle the load. She projects the service will generate about $67,000 a year.

District clerks in six larger counties in the state also offer the service.

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Jared Janes covers Hidalgo County government and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4424.

PASSPORT DEADLINE:

June 1 for all land travel

District Clerk's Office Fees:

Passport book - 16-year-old and older - $75

Passport book - 15-year-old and younger - $60

Passport card - 16-year-old and older - $20

Passport card - 15-year-old and younger - $10

Expedited service per applications - $60

Processing fee - $25

Passport photo - $15