Newport Beach to process passports

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Residents put off by the long lines to apply for

passports at the post office will soon have a welcome alternative.

The city clerk’s office will begin accepting passport applications

early next year, the City Council decided Tuesday.

“We got this idea because a number of other cities have started doing

this,” City Clerk LaVonne Harkless said. “It gives people another

option.”

Its benefits can work both ways. Redondo Beach began accepting

passport applications in May. By Oct. 9, the operation netted the city

$8,150.

Cities collect a $15 processing fee for accepting the applications and

sending them to the U.S. Department of State. Costs for Newport Beach

will be minimal because no additional staff will be needed and postage

for mailing the applications to the federal government is the only

significant expense. Any profits will be added to the city’s general

fund, Harkless said.

Despite one resident’s objection that the move would take revenue away

from the U.S. Postal Service, council members unanimously agreed to move

ahead with the plan.

The only place in the city where residents can now apply for passports

is at the main post office on Camelback Street.

Once the city has made arrangements with the federal government,

possibly as soon as February, residents will be able to bring passport

applications to the city clerk’s office. The applications can be

downloaded from the Internet. The clerk’s office will not take passport

photographs, however.

Councilman Gary Proctor commended staff for coming up with the idea.

“This is a wonderful service to the community,” he said.