BISBEE — The Cochise County Superior Court clerk is sponsoring two fairs on Saturdays in December to help meet the demand of a record number of passport applicants.

New rules set to take effect at the end of January will require U.S. citizens entering the country to either show their passports or their driver’s licenses along with their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Web site.

As a result, the number of passport requests increased from about 1,219 in 2006 to about 2,039 in 2007, said Denise Lundin, clerk of Superior Court. The monthly average for last year was about 100. But, Lundin said, the number is usually higher during pre-summer and summer months.

However, this year the numbers have been particularly higher in the fall. In October 2006 there were 100, compared to 254 in October of this year. In November 2006, there were 95, compared to about 500 in November of this year.

“We are getting slammed and it is very much the people that have family across the border or have other kinds of interests,” Lundin said.

So, passport fairs will be held next Saturday at the Superior Courthouse in Bisbee, and on Dec. 15 at the Justice Court Precinct 2 in Douglas. Both events will last from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lundin said she is both “excited” about holding the fairs and “scared” to think of how many people may turnout.

Mary Edie, administrative division manager for the clerk’s office, said the amount of passport applications has increased so much that it is making it difficult for court employees to do other job duties.

“We are getting people who are coming in at 4 p.m. to get passports,” she said. “As soon as their kids get out of school they are racing to Bisbee and our staff are having to stay a little later.”

People who show up at the fair will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Lundin reminds people to arrive with all the necessary documentation.

Applicants should bring two recent passport photos, proof of citizenship, a valid picture ID, money to pay the fees, a passport application and parental consent for children under the age of 14.

Proof of citizenship include birth certificate, report of birth abroad, previous valid U.S. passport, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, or certification of birth abroad.

For a person 16 or older, the fee is $30 cash or money order made payable to Clerk of Superior Court and a $67 check or money order made payable to U.S. Department of State. For a person under 16, the fee is $30 cash or money order made payable to Clerk of Superior Court and a $52 check or money order made payable to U.S. Department of State. Expedited service costs an extra $60.

A photographer will be available at the Douglas location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost of two passport photos is $8.