| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC December 7, 2001 Washington D.C. Passport Agency Dedicates New Passport Processing SystemThe Washington D.C. Passport Agency, located at 1111 19th Street NW, officially announces its new passport issuance system on Friday, December 14, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. The new issuance system, called "TDIS-Photo Digitization," allows the processing of a new technologically advanced passport. The new system and its passport have many features that make it one of the most secure travel documents produced to date. The most notable feature is that the passport holder’s photograph is printed as a digital image into the passport. The adoption of the digitized portrait, as well as other security features designed into the passport, is a deterrent to passport fraud. The Washington D.C. Passport Agency provides passport services to the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Last year the agency issued over 230,000 passports for U. S. travelers. For customers traveling within 14 days, the Washington D.C. Passport Agency provides emergency service by appointment only from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Appointments can be made through our 24-hour automated appointment system at (202) 647-0518. Those customers traveling in more than 14 days can apply and submit passport applications at one of over 70 passport acceptance facilities in the Washington Region. Additional information on applying for a passport, including locations of acceptance facilities, passport requirements, passport application forms and other travel-related information can be accessed through the Department of State’s website: travel.state.gov. |
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