The Scarborough Community Services office has assisted the U.S. Department of State with the acceptance of U.S. passport applications for the past 10 years, and each year the need continues to grow. Passports applications are accepted at the Community Services Hub, located at 418 Payne Road in Scarborough, by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. While we also do hold limited Saturday hours throughout the year, we strive to offer at least one full Saturday date for passport acceptance.

Our Spring Passport Day will be held on Saturday, March 4, at the Community Services Hub, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will have multiple staff members on hand to answer all of your questions, assist you through the process, and accept your applications. If everything is in order, a typical appointment takes no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. Though we have formerly required appointments for our recent Passport Days, we are now returning to a drop-in system. These days have been quite busy in the past, so please plan to arrive early to be sure that your passport application can be accepted.

Each applicant will need the following materials: Evidence of Citizenship, Photo Identification, Passport Photo, 2 Checks or Money Orders; Additional documents may be required depending on individual circumstances.

For more information on what is required to apply for a passport, please call the Scarborough Community Services Office at 207-730-4150, or you may visit the only official website for passports at Travel.State.Gov.

Here are some additional frequently asked questions as you prepare for your passport:

• I don’t live in Scarborough. Can I apply for my passport in Scarborough? Yes! You do not need to be a resident of Scarborough to apply in Scarborough. You may apply at ANY passport acceptance facility of your choice, although it is highly recommended that you go to a facility within your own state. For more information on other nearby acceptance facilities, please visit https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.

• My passport is about to expire. Do I need to set up an appointment to renew my passport? If your previous passport was valid for 10 years, is not damaged, and is still in your possession, you do not need an appointment to renew it. Renewals are handled on your own. For the form and related fees, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/renew-by-mail.html.

• My child has had a passport before. Can we renew that on our own? Anyone whose previous passport was valid for five years or less must reapply for a passport at a passport acceptance facility, like the Scarborough Community Services Hub, or a passport agency or center, like the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Children age 15 and under must bring their previous passport and their certified birth certificate to accompany the application. All documents that accompany a passport application are mailed back to applicants under separate cover. For more information on applying for a minor’s passport, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/under-16.html.

I’m not going to be traveling for awhile, but my passport is set to expire in eight months. Can I renew it now? Yes! Your passport does not need to be expired in order to renew it. In fact, now would be a great time to renew it knowing that you are not traveling and the processing times are a bit longer than they used to be. Some countries even require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond your dates of travel, so now is a great time to look at your passport and check those dates. For more info on your destination’s entry requirements, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html.

I have a passport but I changed addresses. Do I need to update my passport? No, there is no need to update your current passport. However, if you have a passport application that is currently in process and you need to change your mailing address, please call 1-877-487-2778.