CSU, Chico Now Accepting and Processing Passport Applications

California State University, Chico and its Office of International Education and Global Engagement are helping simplify the process of applying for passports, for both members of campus and the greater community.

The University has announced that it now accepts passport applications on behalf of the US Department of State. Any US citizen planning international travel may apply for initial passports at the Passport Place located in Student Services Center, Room 440.

Touting itself as the “comprehensive university of the North State with a global reach” in its mission statement, CSU, Chico prioritizes civic and global engagement. Sara Trechter, interim associate vice president for the Office of International Education and Global Engagement, said the goal of the Passport Place is to provide the University and North State communities with another accessible avenue to engage with the world.

“We also assist Camp Fire victims whose passports were lost or destroyed to reapply for a US passport,” said Dianne Suschil, also from the Office of International Education and Global Engagement. “Because September is Passport Awareness Month, it is the perfect time to apply in order to ensure speedy processing.”

With more than 340 students studying abroad during the 2018–19 academic year, and dozens of faculty teaching and conducting research in other countries annually, the University has a vested interest to ensuring ease of access to passport services. Extending those services to the public is part of the University’s mission of serving the North State.

The US passport book and US passport card are also both accepted by TSA as ID for domestic flights. Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, every air traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant license, or another acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel.

Located on the corner of West Second and Ivy streets, the Passport Place is open to the public, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Passport Place does not offer photo services, and applicants will need to bring a valid passport photo.

Passport forms, passport fees, information on how to apply and more can be found on the Department of State’s official website for passport and travel information, travel.state.gov or http://www.csuchico.edu/studyabroad/passport.shtml.