Good news for travelers, lovers and property owners:
Beginning May 15, Multnomah County has made it easier than ever to apply for a passport, get a marriage license, or record documents.
The Division of Assessment, Recording and Taxation has extended its customer service hours, now opening at 8:30 a.m. to meet a growing demand for services. The office in the first floor of the Multnomah Building, 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland.
“In the last five years, we’ve seen a 500% increase in passport applications. We’ve gone from taking no photos to taking more than 9,000 photos a year,’’ said County Assessor Michael Vaughn.
In addition, marriage license applications have increased from just over 6,000 to 8,000 a year.
County employees responded to the increase by urging managers to extend customer service hours by 30 minutes. Managers agreed and the result is the public can get help an additional two and a half hours a week.
“Employees have agreed to change their work schedules, and we’ve adjusted our way of doing business to be here when people need us,’’ Vaughn said.
The DART Customer Service lobby will open every weekday at 8:30 a.m. for tax payments, recording, passports, marriage licenses, research, and all other services.
Passport hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lobby hours for all other services: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
