SYRACUSE -- Friday afternoon update:

The U.S. State Department has announced that its "Passport Day in the USA" has been cancelled due to the looming possibility of a federal government shutdown. The Passport Day had been scheduled for Saturday, April 9.

The state department says that during the annual event, passport agencies and participating passport acceptance facilities nationwide open their doors for U.S. citizens to receive passport services without an appointment.

U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman Maureen Marion says that even though Passport Day has been cancelled, it does not change things in Central New York post offices. Some post offices had already planned extended hours and special representatives to be on hand for the day. Marion says if you go to a CNY post office tomorrow, you can still apply for passports and there will still be staff members there to answer questions.

Click here for a list of government agency shutdown contingency plans.

Original story from Thursday:

As the possibility of a government shutdown looms, CNY Central is investigating how it could impact your life.

If you're planning to travel out of the country, including Canada and the Caribbean, you'll need a passport. If there is a government shutdown, passport applications would still be accepted as usual. It will then be up to the State Department to either process the application, or delay it.

If you have a trip planned, a good rule of thumb is to get your passport as soon as possible. It could take up to six weeks to process, even without complications from a possible shutdown. Your first passport will cost $135. Renewing a passport will cost $110.

This Saturday is Passport Day. Passport agencies and acceptance facilities, including the U.S. Postal Service, will be open to help you take care of any passport needs. Postal Service spokesperson Maureen Marion says for now, Passport Day is still scheduled. Officials are hoping for the best when it comes to the possibility of a shutdown.

Marion also says if there is a government shutdown, the day-to-day operations of the post office will not be affected.

"The postal service is funded by postage, not by tax dollars, so as a result, a federal shutdown does not have an impact on postal operations," says Marion.

CNY Central also spoke with a representative from AAA. Diana Dibble says if a government shutdown happens, it will inform its members of any travel complications.

Click here to read about some other possible effects of a government shutdown.

Click here to view an Associated Press interactive website on the potential budget shutdown.