Joan Flynn, City Clerk Huntington Beach Passport Program, 2000 Main, HB,CA (714) 536-5227

The U.S. government announced recently that because of longer than expected processing times for passports, American citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo ID and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. however.  See http://travel.state.gov/ for updates on current regulations.

With record-breaking demand for passports due to new U.S. government regulations, travelers can ease the process by obtaining a passport at over 8,000 official passport office locations. In addition to showing a passport, many countries also require a visa for your trip.

Residents of Huntington Beach, Calif. can obtain passports at the City Clerk's Office City Hall, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, Calif. Cross streets are Yorktown and Main. Free parking on site. Call: (714) 536-5227. One of several passport facilities in the city (the other is Huntington Beach Main Post Office, 6771 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA; (714) 843-4200), City Hall Passport facilities often offer shorter lines. In addition to passport applications, passport photos are also available.

Once you begin using the city's passport service, you'll tell all your friends, as we did. Events such as the city's Customer Appreciation Day help make the public aware about the opportunities available at your local city hall.

For a passport location near you, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs offers a search tool for finding an passport office for you. http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/