People must book appointments on-line for services at the US Consulate General in a move to cut waiting times.

Citizenship inquiries, passport renewals for minors, visa services and notarials must be booked via the website from October 1, US Consul Margaret Pride told a press conference yesterday.

Mrs. Pride said she was the only person commissioned to issue passports, and that people were often kept waiting longer than necessary.

"We are hoping it will reduce time spent in the waiting room and customers will come to us better prepared for their appointment so we can serve them more efficiently," she said.

"By making all these services available 24/7, we hope that customers can get the information they need without having to be stuck with our office hours. By booking on-line, they aren't stuck by the telephone waiting for a live operator. They can do this at their convenience."

Consul General Gregory Slayton said: "We at the American Consulate put customer service at the top of our priority list and this upgrade, like the electronic visa application form we introduced in 2006, is designed with the consumer in mind."

Adult passport renewals and applications for additional adult pages do not require an appointment and should be done by drop-off, Monday to Friday.

To book an appointment, visit www.hamilton.usconsulate.gov.