No burgers, but 6,000 customers served

There weren't any balloons falling from the ceiling, confetti floating about the room or hidden cameras to capture James Hintzke's reaction, but he was still pleasantly surprised to learn that his was the 6,000th passport processed at the Virginia Beach's Office of the City Clerk.

The 16-year-old and his mother, Inma Hintzke, of Ocean Lakes, went to the office, which is located on the second floor of Building One at City Hall, on Oct. 9 to renew his expired passport.

A sophomore at Landstown High School's Technology Academy, James said he travels to Spain - where his mother was born and much of his family lives - each winter and has also spent many summers there.

To get a passport, residents are required to bring a birth certificate, picture identification card, completed application (unsigned) and two checks or money orders.

Two separate payments are required, because one fee is for the city ($25) and the other is for the U.S. State Department ($110). There is also a $15 photo fee if applicants have their photos taken at the City Clerk's Office.

The Hintzkes were happy to learn that the $25 execution fee charged by the city was waived for James that day.

"The ironic coincidence of the day was that my mom only had one check left with her," James said. "If that hadn't of happened, we couldn't have applied for my passport that day."

Ruth Hodges Fraser, city clerk, said she waives the fee for each 1,000th passport reached.

Fraser was the first municipal clerk in the U.S. to become commissioned as an acceptance agent in 1997-98. There are more than 9,000 acceptance agents in the country.

"We started it to give citizens a place to get their passports," Fraser said. "The post office was the only place to get it until then."

Back then, the passport office at the post office was only open until 2 p.m. and lines often formed because appointments were not taken.

"It's a service; we're here to serve the citizens and we wanted to give them this additional service and a friendly place to get their passports," said Fraser, noting four of her staff are now qualified, too. The acceptance agents are required to take a class and renew their certification yearly.

"I'm definitely flattered to be the 6,000th passportee," said James, who is still awaiting his passport's arrival, which normally takes six to eight weeks.

Sandra J. Pennecke,Pennecke@cox.net

 _____

Interested?

What U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card Application
Where Office of the Clerk, Building One, second floor, City Hall
When 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday - appointments are necessary
Info 385-4303; visit www.travel.state.gov for more information and to download an application.