Trip in jeopardy

[Tiger926]

I am beside myself today! I have been trying since Friday to get through the 1800 to the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, to check the status of my DD's birth certificate, but of course, I can't get through. I tried our local number, and they couldn't help either. They told me that more than likely they won't allow me to use the expedited service because my application is already in process. At this point they are taking a minimum of 4 months plus to process birth certificates!! That's ridiculous since a Passport only takes 20 days and my DD's Health Card took 2 weeks.

I spent the morning crying because it looks like we might have to cancel our vacation because as usual things in this country take forever to process. My DH and I visit Disney almost every year, and this year will be our DD's first trip to Disney World, and first cruise on the Disney cruise of course! You'd think that sending off my application in November would give them enough time to process by the Spring, but their website says that they are extremely busy so plan your vacation accordingly. Gee, what great advice! Maybe they should have better time management skills and learn how to more efficiently process birth certificates!

I don't know what to do at this point, because the information number is ALWAYS busy - I did get through once, and after 5 minutes of pushing buttons, a message told me that they were too busy to take my call, so I had to call back later!! I did send an email through the website asking for more information regarding the expedited process, but I don't expect to get a response from anyone.

I am having an awful day as we have been looking forward to this since she was born. We wanted to celebrate her first birthday early while we were on the cruise as she will be turning one at the end of May. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be glad to hear them.

I am having a terrible day, Tiger

 

[Mortlives]

Yeah, they have the most annoying phone tree. My favourite bit is where they tell you your call is important to them so you'll have to call back?

This sounds like the type of thing you should contact your MPPs office for. Part of their job is bureacracy intervention, so, make 'em work for a living.

Good luck!
Mort.

 

[Tiger926]

Coincidentally there's an article in the paper today explaining hpw they are 71,000 applications behind and they can only process 200 a day!! Minister Wilson is so generously hiring 12 extra workers (wow) to ease the backlog. At this point it does not look good as I can't even get through to check the status of my application. I feel so helpless because circumstances that are beyond my control are preventing me from making plans for my trip because at this point, I don't know if we're going to be able to go. My DH is very upset because we've been looking forward to this for the past 6 months.

I am hoping that things work for us, as well as all of the other families whose vacations are in jeopardy because our government is inefficient and disorganized.

Tiger

 

[avdeane]

Tiger926,

I agree with Mortlives, you should call your local MPP first thing tomorrow. I had problems with a mix up concerning my child tax credits and I went over a year without getting them. I continually called and got the runaround from them (of course I spent hours on the phone trying to get through too). Anyway to make a long story short, somebody told me to contact our local MPP. I had to go in and fill out a form stating all that had transpired. Within hours after doing this, the MPP office called to tell me that all was resolved and that I would receive my money (all that I was entitled to) the next month...which I did!!

If there is anything the MPP can do they will do it for you. That's why we elect them! It's worth a try anyway and maybe it will all work out for you!!

I'm sorry that you are so stressed out about this and will keep my fingers crossed that you get to enjoy your trip and your little one gets the best first birthday too!!

Vicky

 

[WCMouse]

Dear Tiger926;

It really does take a rediculous amount of time for things up here doesn't it.

I am not trying to pry, but I am assuming that you need the Birth Certificate to get the Passport... we had the same problems with our son some years ago. We were told that mailing in the application for the birth certificate would take a few weeks, which we did not have. I went down to the office here in Vancouver, and told them of my problem, and within about 5 minutes they printed one. Told me this was a "special case" ... etc. Yeah, this is miserable... if I can think of anything that might help, besides what has aleady been said, I will update....

 

[Tiger926]

With the article in the paper today, they are swamped, so I am going to wait another week and keeping trying to find out the status of my application. If I can't get anywhere, I am going to call the Passport office and see if they've made provisions for the current mess that our government has gotten itself into.

Several other people suggested calling my MPP as well, it's just that I don't know if this situation justifies it. I know that there are people who are trying to collect on social assistance or child benefits as mentioned above, and these seem more pressing than my vacation problems. I am really hoping that it works out for the best - you'd think that sending in applications 5 months in advance would be good enough!

Thanks for all of your good wishes. I am up early tomorrow morning to try and get through by phone.


Wish me luck! Tiger

 

[tink&cinderella]

Hi there.

I am not sure if you are aware that you can go downtown Toronto to 900 Bay Street (I think) and ask for "same day service". You pay a bit more but they'll do it for you while you wait. You can confirm the address with City Hall. We have employees who go down there regularly and pay the extra money - I think it's 20.00 dollars more to have it done right away. I'd try it even if it is already in process. Chances are they haven't even looked at it with the current back log.

If you want me to get more info ie:details please pm me and I will find out the exact floor and address as well as $ for you from one of my colleagues.

Best of luck.


Tink & Cinderella

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

I was going to suggest the same thing as Tink & Cinderella. I'm in Manitoba, so things aren't always the same here... but about 10 years ago when I lost my birth certificate and needed it asap for a school trip to the states, we were able to go to the office and pay extra to get it right away.

Even if yours is already "in process" what I figure what might happen is that you would end up paying for 2 birth certificates, and receiving 2... one now (that you will pay more for immediate service) and one later (the one currently in the system being processed that you paid regular cost for and will eventually receive weeks (months, years? ) later ). I can understand that they can't modify the one already in the system to change it to "expidited" but I don't see why they couldn't just put another one through.... just do it as a new transaction as if you haven't already started the process. I'd find out the details of getting the expidited one and go that route. Good luck!

 

[Tiger926]

They have changed everything since Sept. 11 - no more getting certificates in person, and you can only apply for one at a time.

I'm trying to call as we speak, so hopefully I'll get more info.

Thanks, Tiger

 

[DisneyLisa]

Here's a previous thread that you might find helpful/interesting about getting a birth certificate in Ontario. You can still get one by going to the office in Toronto as I know someone who just did it. Good luck.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=471174

 

[Tiger926]

I finally got through the 800 number this morning at 8:25 am and spoke to a wonderful young woman. She helped me with getting the application in for urgent service and it should come within 10-14 days.

Thanks for the info re: Toronto same day certificates as well. I reread my application last night after tink&cinderella posted about it, so we were contemplating that as well, but we don't need to do that at this point. My DH is faxing our travel documents today to attach to our application, so we'll see what happens.

Since Sept. 11, everything has changed regarding government documents, but despite this, they really need to think about adding more offices throughout the province in which you can get an immediate birth certificate - if people wish to pay extra, that should be an option. Not everyone is going to be able to spend a day in Toronto, and so I fear that some people might have to cancel vacations in the meantime. As well, they need to hire more staff since they are currently 5 months behind (Minister Wilson thinks that 12 new staff members is enough when they have 71,000 apps to process).

Hopefully all will work! Thanks, Tiger

 

[jwnandsn]

I work in a law office and we used to be able to go down to the Court House and obtain immediate marriage and birth certificates at one time. They changed the birth certificate rule a while ago but we were still able to get marriage certificates. Now that has changed also and we now have to apply to Thunder Bay.

Someone in our office had her wallet stolen from her desk last year, just one week before they were to fly to Mexico. Someone just walked into our office unnoticed and took her wallet from her desk. Birth certificates for herself and her three children were in her wallet.
She contacted a local MPP's office and they were able to get the new certificates within 3 days. It worked for her.

Good Luck,
Sandra

 

[jwnandsn]

Forgot to say.......

Good Luck from a fellow penguin lover too!


Sandra

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Are you sure that you must have a birth certificate for the baby when you go to Disney. My daughter was born in October of 2001. When we wanted to go to Florida when she was 7 months old we didn't have her birth certificate yet because of all the time it was taking to get the things done.

I phoned the American Embassy in Toronto and asked what I needed to get her across the border. She said that a letter on hospital letterhead stating her birth date, address and who her parents were would be enough for them. She also said that a letter from my family physician would also work.

When my son was born you used to be able to get a travel letter from City Hall but I'm not sure if they do that anymore.

It seems that you should have your birth certificates in time but in case you don't maybe you could check the American Embassy and see what they have to say.

To everyone else, keep your birth certificates in your safety deposit box. You don't really need to have them in your wallet and if your wallet gets stolen you'll save valuable time by already having an original birth certificate stored somewhere else.
Since we now have passports for my entire family, all of our birth certificates are in the safety deposit box.

I think that birth certificates for baby's should be a number one priority and they should come much quicker than they do. I don't think we're in the middle of a baby boom or are we??

Have a great trip!

 

[disneywithkids]

I'm crossing my fingers for you...

The same thing happened to me before our trip in October and I also couldn't get through half the time (and spoke to a couple of people that didn't help at all) before finally getting through to someone who tagged it as urgent and we received it when they promised...so I really think you'll get it.

In October, I was told that you could go in person for same day service. However, once you fax or send in the application, that is no longer an option...I would definitely recommend to everyone to go in person if possible!

Best of luck

 

[tigger2on]

Was reading the Metro newspaper and they had an artice on this this morning. It is now an 18 week wait for an Ontario Birth Certficate !
I am thankful I got mine last year when you could get it the smae day!

 

[iluvflorida]

Not sure where you are going but as long as you are a Canadian citizen with birth certificate or proof of citizenship and photo ID you do not need passport to go to U.S.


Sorry I guess I need to read more careful. I see you are talking birth certificate not passport.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Unfortunately the days of expecting to sail through US Customs and/or INS without a passport are gone. While one can get through on a birth certificate and accompanying photo ID the recommendation these days is that travellers carry valid passports with them while crossing the Canada/US border.

Neil

 

[siobhan1997]

We have crossed the border many times at Gananoque/Alexander Bridge and have yet to be even asked for ID. We are flying from Syracuse and contacted the airport to see what kind of ID was required and was advised that they require a government issued photo ID, i.e. Drivers license etc..

My sister in law is in the same situation with a friend of her DS who will be travelling with them south. This 16 year old forgot to tell his mother he had lost his BC. She contacted the American Embassy in Canada and was advised that if he does not have a birth certificate they will accept his drivers license and health card. That's if they are even asked for ID.

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Good Evening,

Last time we crossed at Port Huron/Sarnia and were asked for ID both going over and coming back. On both sides of the border they were pleased that we had passports for them to see. Coming home the customs officer was very happy that we had passports for both our children.

The children's passports are only $20.00. I feel more comfortable having them because then I can keep the birth certificates in the safety deposit box and don't have to worry about replacing them if they got lost.

The peace of mind I have when crossing the border far outweighs the worrying about whether or not my ID will be good enough in the future. If your trip is a way off and you can afford the cost I strongly suggest gettting passports for everyone. You never know what changes may come between now and your next trip.

Have a super weekend!!