Postal Service Passport Fair Debuts at 56th Annual Kansas City Boat & Sportshow

For people planning their next trip outside the country, a visit to the Kansas City Boat & Sportshow can help travelers get there with the proper documentation. To help make the passport application process more convenient for outdoor enthusiasts, the U.S. Postal Service will debut a Passport Fair beginning Thursday, January 7 through Sunday, January 10 at the Kansas City Boat & Sportshow, held at H. Roe Bartle Hall.

Postal Service sales and service associates will help visitors apply for either a passport book or the new U.S. Passport Card, complete passport applications, pay fees and secure photos. Visitors can visit the Passport Fair during the following hours:

Thursday, January 7: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, January 8: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 9: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 10: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

“The Kansas City Boat & Sportshow is the perfect venue to debut the Passport Fair, as many of our attendees are travel enthusiasts,” said Mark Adams, Show Manager. “We’re excited to be working with the U.S. Postal Service to help make international travel simple and convenient for our visitors.”

In early 2008, it became a requirement of travelers to present documents denoting citizenship and identity when entering the United States through air, land and sea ports of entry. According to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this change primarily affects U.S. and Canadian citizens, who have previously been permitted entry by oral declaration alone. They indicated this marks the transition toward standard and consistent documents for all travelers entering the country.

Cost for passports include:

Passport books for adults (16 years and older) is $100: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee; and, a $75 separate payment (by check or cash only) to the Department of State for the passport application fee.

Passport books for those under 16 is $85: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee; and a $60 separate payment (by check or cash only) to the Department of State for the passport application fee.

The U.S. Postal Service will also offer a passport cards for those traveling to Canada and Mexico only. 

Passport cards for adults (16 years and older) is $45: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee; and, a $20 separate payment (by check or cash only) to the Department of State for the passport application fee.

Passport cards for those under 16 is $35: $25 in a separate payment to the U.S. Postal Service for its processing fee; and a $10 separate payment (by check or cash only) to the Department of State for the passport application fee.

Show details include: 

When: Thursday through Sunday, January 7 - 10, 2010
Thursday: 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: H. Roe Bartle Hall
301 W. 13th St.
Kansas City, MO 64105

Admission: $8.00 for adults
$5.00 for Youth 13-15 years
FREE for Children 12 years and under

E-ticket Family Promotion: Buy three tickets online and receive the fourth ticket FREE

“Price Chopper” Promotion: Visitors receive $1 off adult admission with proof of coupon

NOTE: Advance tickets are available to purchase online at KansasCitySportshow.com

Consumers interested in learning more about the 2010 Kansas City Boat & Sportshow can visit KansasCitySportshow.com for complete details.