CHARLESTON - People can apply for passports and get information about postal service customer options on Thursday during a special event sponsored by the Charleston Post Office.

A Passport Fair and usps.com Day is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1592, 1821 20th St., in Charleston.

"This is the first-ever event of this kind for the Charleston/Mattoon area," said Charleston Postmaster Butch Hackett.

Gary Cerceo, a small business specialist from the U.S. Postal Service's Central Illinois District in Bedford Park, will answer questions, provide guidance, and distribute free brochures with tips for using all the tools that are available to the public at usps.com.

Customers who want to apply for passports are required to bring a certified copy of their birth certificate and photo identification in addition to a check or money order for payment of required fees.

Hackett said postal employees will be able to take passport photos for those needing them at a cost of $15 for six wallet pictures.

The Charleston Post Office started accepting passport applications in late November after its request to offer this service was approved by the U.S. State Department.

Hackett said demand for passport applications increased in 2007 when the State Department started requiring all people traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

Passport applications are also accepted by the Coles County Treasurer's Office at the courthouse in Charleston.

Rob Stroud can be reached at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.