The new locations are operated by the Harris County District Clerk’s Office and provide walk-in service once a month.

The new passport offices are located at public libraries in Spring, Clear Lake, Bear Creek and Humble.

Harris County District Clerk Chris Daniel said there's a need because of federal cutbacks to post offices, which also issue passports.

"It's become apparent that the demand is outgrowing the ability for the existing passport offices to meet that demand," he said.

The district clerk's office plans on hiring an additional five staff for the service.

Daniel said the new locations were chosen for a reason.

"We looked at, geographically, where people were coming from to drive all the way downtown to use our office instead of their local post office," he said. "And that's how we were able to determine what libraries to go to."

The new locations opened last month as a pilot program, and Daniel said they already average 60 passport applications per office.

Unlike at many post offices, walk-ins are welcome.

Currently, they open only one day per month but the plan is to extend those times in the future.

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