New satellite passport office

By Ashley Hassett

Buffalo, NY – The satellite passport office re-opened this week at the Erie county auto bureau in the Northtown plaza.

The office was originally open temporarily, but based on it's popularity it has become a permanent feature in the Department of Motor Vehicles office. Erie County clerk Kathy Hochul says said it will make it easier for people to get the proper documents needed to travel over the border.

"As people know after the law changed last year, the Western Hampshire Travel Initiative, everyone crossing into Canada is now required to have either an enhanced drivers license, a passport or passport card or Nexus card. We provide two out of three of those, the passports and enhanced license," said Hochul.

Hochul said the passport office will not be of any additional cost to tax payers. Hohcul is using her existing staff and resources to operate the passport office.