Library to Discontinue Passport Processing Service

Alpine, TX – Effective Friday, August 20, 2021, the Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library at Sul Ross State University will no longer be an authorized U.S. Department of State Passport Acceptance Facility. Regarding the change, Director of Library and Research Technologies Betsy Evans stated: “Changes in staffing and budgets have led to a refocus of the Library’s mission, forcing us to reevaluate the services we offer. Passport processing is an incredibly important service for this region. We are sad to lose this service, but it is not sustainable with our available staffing and resources.”

Passport processing began at the University in the summer of 2017 as a joint project between the Department of International Studies and the librarians at Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library. Since then, the Library processed over 700 passport applications for area residents.

Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library’s librarians and staff will continue to be useful resources for residents seeking information about passport application processes, however, the most current and accurate information about U.S. passports is available via travel.state.gov.