Here's why you should have already gotten your passport

[drag n' fly]

Thanks Sandra22 for the online information. I think I'll try it to see if it speeds things up.

I guess I can't take in all the applications? Does my husband have to be physically present to apply or can I just take his with mine and the kids?

Your dh does not have to be there. I filled all five of ours with just me being there.

 

[mickeywho?]

My sister did hers online. She went into the office downtown Toronto today and waited a whole 10 minutes for the one person ahead of her to be finished. She said she was in and out within 30 minutes and will have her passport by the end of the month.

I think all these news reports may have scared a few people off!

 

[Sandra22]

mickeywho?

I am wondering if it depends on which office you go to. The one in Edmonton still sounds like a nightmare. We heard back from some people who went last week and they were there at least 4 hours.

 

[Madsofa]

I went to the passport office in Windsor on December 7, with applications in hand for my DH and DD's. (I already have one) I did not do my DH's online and had to wait in the regular line. That took just under an hour. They did have two lines - the other was for those that did their app online and there was no wait for that line - people came in grabbed a number and most of the time were able to walk straight to the window, if not waited no more than five minutes. I think I lucked out on the day and time I was there because I heard the horror stories! My family's passports arrived yesterday. So considering that the holidays that were inbetween, I am very impressed with the turn around time! Good luck to everyone else!

 

[DutchsMommy]

I have had good experiences with the Passport office at the Scarborough Town Centre - they really have it down to a science there. They even have a 'triage' line you go through first to make sure all your paperwork is in order prior to seeing the 'real' person who processes the application. I love this as I am a rule follower and can't stand to see someone taking up my time just because they didn't read the instructions!

Also - I wish there was a way you could renew your passport without going through the hassle of all the paperwork/photos etc. I think you should be able to go into the Passport office, show yourself with another piece of ID or two and have the person confirm you are still the same person and renew your passport. I am not sure why you have to go through the whole process every time the thing expires. I am sure it is for security's sake, but it is a pain in the butt for us non criminals. Oh well....such is life LOL.

 

[mickeywho?]

mickeywho?

I am wondering if it depends on which office you go to. The one in Edmonton still sounds like a nightmare. We heard back from some people who went last week and they were there at least 4 hours.

Those who do the app online get to line up seperately. That really helps to speed them up!

 

[drag n' fly]

I am watching the Victoria, B.C. news right now. Those poor people have a six hour wait in line just to get their passport appy looked at..poor folks!

 

[Charleyann]

A friend of our family has a small public mischief charge on his record from 20 years ago. He has been travelling to and friom the states with his family to WDW. Customes has never given him any problems with crossing or flying over the boarder. Will that prevent this man from getting his passport ? He is a outstanding citizen, only 20 years ago with his 19 year old buddies and out partying....

Thank you

Charleyann

 

[SaraMc]

I went to the passport office today to get DS a passport as his birth certificate most likely will not be here by the time we go to WDW. It wasnt too bad. About a 2 hour wait at the Mississauga office. I was anticpating 4-5 hours but 2 wasnt too bad.

 

[Sandra22]

Phew. . . received our passports today!

Now we can breath a little easier and enjoy our countdown to the World!



Can't wait 19 more sleeps!

 

[McKiggan]

Charleyann

Having a crim record does not effect your friends right to obtain a Cdn. passport. Every Cdn. citizen is entitled to one. However, US customs can deny entry to anyone with a criminal record.

If the conviction was 20 years ago it will almost certainly NOT show up on a routine crim. records check. Even if it did, he is unlikely to be denied entry due to a summary conviction offence.

 

[maddiel]

My husband found out last Thursday that he will be going to a conference in New Orleans in early February. Since it's one of the places I've always wanted to go to, we figured out a way for me to go with him and booked on Saturday (incidentally, it's our first trip alone together since before we had our 13 year old - whoo-hooo!)

I got all all my paperwork, pictures etc together yesterday and went down today. I didn't get to the overflow waiting area until after 10 am and it still took less than 2 hours from start to finish, and that's with a paper form. I was advised to pay the extra $10 pick-up fee because we leave in less than 3 weeks, but it is supposed to be ready in 10 business days.

There were several people in the waiting room that I talked to or overheard who commented that they had come down today specifically because it was a miserable day and they thought the crowds would be lighter and the commisionaires said that it was much less busy than other days have been.

M.