PARIS – Many people thinking of sunny trips to far-away places are stopping by the Oxford County probate office before packing their bags.

It’s not such an unusual stop, at least not since the office began accepting U.S. passport applications in July. Register of Probate Tom Winsor already has a handful of the forms filed away.

“The passport business has been really good for us,” he said. “I think we’re going to average more than 100 (applications) a year.”

Before the probate office began dealing in passports, Winsor said, travelers had to drive to Lewiston, Auburn or Portland to get their travel documents.

According to the U.S. Department of State, an adult passport costs $55. An additional, $30 processing fee is to be kept by any agency accepting applications, such as a post office, library or state court.

Other fees apply if the passport is needed in less than six weeks.

Winsor said the probate office could take in as much as $3,000 in application fees per year with the new service. So far, $1,600 has been raised.

One boon for the office has been the number of students planning to travel abroad this spring with their language clubs or classes, Winsor said. Also, people have been learning about the passport service by word of mouth, or by looking up passport information at www.travel.state.gov.

Anyone who needs a passport, or even a passport renewal, may stop by the probate office for forms and information. Winsor said passport photos, picture identification and an original birth certificate containing both parents’ names are required.