ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service will be hosting passport fairs around New Mexico as residents brace for identification requirements to take effect early next year.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently denied New Mexico an extension from tougher federal requirements on state driver's licenses under the REAL ID Act.
The decision means New Mexico driver's licenses and IDs won't be valid for federal purposes such as entering military bases and nuclear research labs starting Jan. 10. As a result, residents are seeking passports as an alternative.
The Albuquerque Post Office will offer the first of six days of passport fair events beginning Nov. 28. Two more fairs will follow on Dec. 5 and 6.
Events are also planned in eight other communities.
All the fairs are first-come, first-served.