Following her last two successful passport events in Jackson Heights and Flushing, Congresswoman Grace Meng will host a third local event in Forest Hills on Sunday, April 23, to help constituents apply for or renew a passport.
The passport event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the United States Post Office facility, located at 106-28 Queens Blvd. Those attending the event must reside in Meng’s congressional district.
It follows Meng’s successful passport event last month at the Jackson Heights Post Office where 218 passport transactions were conducted, and in February at the Flushing Main Street Post Office where 208 passport transactions were processed.
“My past two passport events that I held in Flushing and Jackson Heights were both a huge success and I’m pleased to again provide this convenient and helpful service to constituents, this time in Forest Hills,“ Meng said. “I encourage constituents to come out on April 23 to take care of their passport needs, and I remind local residents to plan ahead when applying for or renewing a passport to ensure its delivery before traveling abroad.”
Meng also urged Queens residents to plan accordingly when seeking to renew or apply for a passport, especially with many in the borough planning trips out of the country during the upcoming summer travel season.
The U.S. State Department has informed Meng that due to unprecedented demand, the routine processing time is at least 10-13 weeks, and at least 7-9 weeks for expedited applications, not including mailing times.
Last Month, during a congressional committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Meng questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken about what he is doing to fix this backlog that people throughout Queens are experiencing. He told the Congresswoman that the State Department is addressing these long wait times, and Meng vowed to continue pushing the agency to resolve the problem.
To receive a passport, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen national, and they need to complete the application form which Postal Service clerks at Meng’s April 23 event can assist with on-site. The required supporting documents must also be submitted and details can be found here.
The following is what constituents should bring to the Congresswoman’s Forest Hills passport event:
- Proof of address to show residency in Meng’s congressional district
- If applying for a first-time passport, bring an original copy and photocopy of proof of identity AND U.S. citizenship documents
- For a renewal, bring the most recent passport and name change documents if there are any
- Children under age 16 must apply in person with two parents or guardians using form DS-11. Applicant must provide U.S. citizenship evidence. Parents must show parental relationship and present ID
- Debit/credit card, or check/money order made payable to “Postmaster” for acceptance fees
- Check/money order made payable to “U.S. Department of State” for processing fees
- A color passport photo taken in the last six months, or a photo can be taken on-site with an additional fee
The costs of applying for and renewing a passport can be found here.
Appointments for Meng’s event are not required. Applications for first time passports and renewals will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Constituents who have questions can contact Meng’s office at 718-358-MENG.
