On Saturday, March 28, 2009, the office of Aurora De La Garza, Cameron County District Clerk, will celebrate “Passport Day in the USA,” a national outreach event to inform the public about the upcoming changes to U.S. travel document requirements, provide passport information and accept passport applications from U.S. citizens from coast-to-coast and border-to-border.

U.S. citizens without a valid passport book or passport card are encouraged to apply on this day.U.S. citizens will receive passport information and can apply for their passport at the Cameron County District Clerk's Office, 974 East Harrison Street, in Brownsville, Texas, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009.

Applicants can expect to receive their passport in approximately four weeks for routine service and about two to three weeks for expedited service.

Information on the cost and how to apply for a passport book and/or a passport card is available at travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

As of January 23, 2007, everyone traveling in and out of the United States by air needs a passport. On June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry.

Additional information on travel requirements is available at www.getyouhome.gov.  The Department of State, together with the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Cameron County District Clerk's Office, are working together to ensure that citizens are aware of the new requirements effective June 1.