ST. JOSEPH — The Berrien County clerk’s office will no longer process passport applications for the U.S. Department of State, Berrien County Clerk Louise Stine announced Thursday.

The Department of State has issued a directive stating that any facility that issues primary birth documentation could not also process passport applications, unless the two were physically separated and that passport acceptance agents couldn’t create, amend or issue birth documents.

“This is an extremely unfortunate circumstance, however, we understand Homeland Security’s requirement for more stringent fraud prevention measures,” Stine said.

Beginning May 1, the county clerk’s office will no longer have any passport forms nor will the staff be permitted to answer any passport-related questions.

Stine recommends residents to contact their local post offices to verify whether they process passport applications. She also added she is exploring ways for the county to regain the services in the future.