WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick F. Kennedy will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, October 18 at 10:00 a.m. to mark the opening of a new U.S. Passport Agency serving residents of Buffalo and the surrounding region. Invited guests include Members of Congress, state and local officials, local community leaders and members of the media.
The agency, located in historic downtown Buffalo, will issue U.S. passport books and passport cards onsite to citizens with urgent travel requirements. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Buffalo agency occupies a renovated space in Suite 101 of the Genesee Gateway Building at 111 Genesee Street. The agency’s staff of 27 government and contract employees will serve U.S. citizen travelers at five public counters.
Recent changes to travel document requirements have increased demand for U.S. passports. Over the next six months, the Department of State plans to open additional agencies in San Diego, California; El Paso, Texas; and St. Albans, Vermont. Buffalo is the 23rd domestic passport facility. Public counters also will be added at existing passport centers in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Travelers with urgent travel requirements may schedule an appointment at the Buffalo agency or another regional passport agency, by calling 1-877-487-2778 or visiting www.travel.state.gov.
Media will have an opportunity to tour the facility and interview Under Secretary Kennedy along with Buffalo and Washington, D.C. passport officials.
