suggestions for applying for Passports!

[disneyfan2]

even though it is a pain to wait, go to a passport office!!!! You will be able to retain your oringial documents and they appear to get processed much quicker. i applied at Service agent, and Passport Canada advised that they consider that the same as mail service, even though we pay the extra processing fee. However, unless you don't need the passport in the next few months, go to a passport office if you can! i believe all the mail in & service centers go to Hull , Quebec. And i was told that after i submitted the application i could not make arrangements to pick it up at a passport office! Good luck to everyone who needs them!

 

[tley]

With the new regulations about requiring a passport, the lines have probably gotten longer.

I agree with disneyfan2, go to an office if you can. It normally takes about 2 weeks (and they are good about that). There will be a posted time in the office which says when you should expect it back.

Google "US WHTI" and it will return some good references for information on the new requirement for passports.

 

[chowboys]

If you apply on-line and take the forms to the office it will be much faster as they do not have to input the form. It is already in the system.

Good luck

 

[maddiel]

I was talking to a lady at my church this morning. She and her husband had been a few numbers ahead of me in line at the passport office, so had been discussing our upcoming trips while we were waiting. They're going to Scotland in May. She was told to expect her passport in the mail in about five weeks. She also said the person who processed her passport application scolded her for taking up space in the line when she wasn't leaving until May!

M.

 

[not-too-old4fun]

The local papers around here (near Ottawa) are actually asking people not to go to the offices unless their trip is coming up shortly. They are requesting that people who only need their passports for later purposes mail them in.

Being that my trip is only in April, I mailed them in December. I should have went to get my passports immediately when I began thinking about taking a trip but I put it off. Have to blame it on laziness on my part. I knew in August that we'd be going to Disney sometime in the near future.

Guess that's the price I have to pay now. It's a sit and wait game.

 

[SaraMc]

When I went to get DS his passport they wanted to see our flight info and see that we were leaving very close to the cut off date. We actually were given special consideration since we have had some birth cert. issues and really only got the passport because we were told our BC would not come in time for the trip. Had we had it we would have been told to wait till the rush was over.

The Buffalo airport website now has in its front page in big Red letters now that if you are flying from Buffalo and not leaving the country you do not need a passport. Guess they have been getting a lot of questions.

 

[ottawamom]

The Canadian passport website also specifically answers the question of traveling across the border by car and taking a domestic flight. I was going crazy last week trying to get the answer. I guess they too got a lot of questions (they couldn't have anticipated this earlier?). Its under the frequently asked questions section if anyone needs it.

 

[Joann]

heres what it says on Buffalo airport webpage

Alerts
New Travel Rule:
As of January 23, 2007 citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda will be required to present passports when they enter the United States by air travel from any part of the Western Hemisphere.

There are no new restrictions taking effect on American or Canadian citizens entering the country by land or sea. But it is highly recommended that travelers from the U.S. and Canada be prepared to present documentation such as a passport, naturalization certificate or birth certificate, accompanied by a driver’s license or other form of government-issued identification when reentering the U.S.


AND HERE IS WHAT CANADA PASSPORT WEBSITE SAYS
Frequently Asked Questions
If I enter the US by land without a passport, will I require a passport to board a US domestic flight (i.e. Buffalo to Orlando)?
No, the new US passport requirement applies to passengers on international flights only. Passengers boarding US domestic flights are not legally required to have a passport, however, all passengers must show proof of their identity. We recommend you contact your airline to determine their identification requirements.