In response to a surge in demand for passports, the Pierce County Auditor’s Office, located at 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, in Tacoma will be staying open an extra hour the week of April 4-8, 2016. Doors will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Why April? “The extended hours coincide with Spring Break for many public schools. We hope to see families take advantage of the service, when it’s most convenient for them. Children must be accompanied by both parents, and we know that it can be difficult to schedule,” said Auditor Julie Anderson.

Anyone with travel plans is encouraged to apply early. Currently it takes approximately six weeks for normal passport processing. However, the Department of State tells us: “The year 2015 has been the third busiest year for passport applications behind 2007 and 2008, respectively. We anticipate processing 16 million applications in 2016 and more than 20 million in 2017.”

Plan ahead and come prepared for the passport application process. Fees must be paid by check or money order, and proper documentation is required. In person applications are required for new passports, all children’s passports, and any unusual circumstances such as lost or damaged.

If you’re an adult with a passport that has recently expired – or is about to expire – you can simply download a form and renew through the mail.

If you have questions about applying for a passport, please visit the State Department’s website (www.travel.state.gov) for a handy widget to determine what forms you will need. You can also visit the Auditor’s website at www.piercecountyauditor.org/passports or call the office for assistance at (253) 798-7445.