Update: Passport Application Renewals:
The new "Simplified Passport Application Renewal" Procedure seems to be eligible for the same Epass short-lineups, but I think this might depend on the location. You must have a passport that is not yet expired, or has expired within the past 12 months to apply with the simplified method. You can fill in the form on your computer through Adobe Acrobat, but you will not receive a barcode on your application, but probably will be able to skip the Passport Office lineups (I've gotten conflicting info on this, so I guess it may vary office-to-office). Also, nearly ANY Canadian can act as a guarantor now if you have an old passport. I'm not sure if the passport approval procedure is any faster for the simplified passport application procedure. So, if you are a low-risk applicant, and can easily find a guarantor, I'd say fill out the long application with epass and be guaranteed to use the express line at the office. Plus, with the online Epass method, they won't have to re-enter your info at the office, just scan the barcode. If you just want to mail in your form, use the simplified passport application method to make things easier for yourself.
March 2009 Passport Canada Update:
EPass has been discontinued by Passport Canada as of March 31, 2009. So far, they've yet to reply to my email asking why. From now on, you'll have to use 1 of:
- Interactive Simplified Passport Renewal, for those in Canada and the USA that are renewing their recently expired adult passports
- Interactive Adult Passport Application form (new or renewal)
- Interactive Child Passport Application form (new or renewal)
All three can be filled in directly on the the computer and then printed, or printed and filled in by hand. I recommend filling it out on the computer and then printing it off. Please leave a comment here (scroll all the way down) with your experiences with this form and method.
I'm not sure if you'll be able to skip any lines with these new forms if you fill them in on the computer and then print them off, but Passport Canada has been very un-busy as of late, but there might be a speed up in April and May as passports will be required to drive over the border as of June 1st, 2009.
The miscellaneous hints and tips section below is still relevant, but everything in red is now out of date.
Canadian EPASS Passport Intro:
This is a long read, but full of tips I haven't seen written anywhere else. I got mine in just 7 days without paying anything extra, so follow everything closely. And that wasn't even for a renewal, just a new application.
Currently, there are two ways to get your new Canadian Passport (or renewal) , the slow way, and the shortcut way. I will tell you how to get it done in the absolute fastest quickest way possible. So fast, that you'll probably laugh after leaving, like I did, since I was in and out in under 15 mins, while others were told the wait was over an 2 hours. It was so quick, I wouldn't even hesitate to go during my lunch hour (if I were close by). They said that Mondays and Fridays are the days with the longest waits, and I went in on Friday 2 hours before they closed.
This guide is written for those that need their new or renewed passport somewhat quickly and plan on going to one of the Passport Canada locations to personally drop off the passport form/application. As well, only adults can do the online method. Try to go to the real deal offices, not a Service Centre if you can.
Fill the Application for the Canadian Passport Online with E-Pass
Firstly, you still have to go in to the office and all that, but by filling it all in online, they don't have to re-enter it all in and make sure you included everything, they also let you skip over the line (details on that later).
In order to get your passport quick, you absolutely MUST fill out the passport form online at their website. Well, you don't HAVE to, but it is a good idea. Don't print it out and fill it, do it online with the e-pass. You'll have to click "Yes" or "Accept" to a couple security prompts and make an e-pass. Their online software is a bit finicky, so you might even need to do parts of it at a friend's/neighbour's house.
They allow you to save your application at any time, and come back to it anytime from any computer, so don't worry about power failures or anything. I actually had to go to my neighbour's house to print it off, since it kept printing off blank forms on my home system.
When to use E-Pass
Their online e-pass system does tend to slow down under heavy use, but is quite usable and still well-worth the wait. Keep in mind that if you're in, say, Vancouver/Surrey/Victoria, if you go on the site at 8am, there will be a ton of people on it, since it is 9am in Edmonton/Calgary, 10am in Winnipeg, 11am in Toronto/Montreal and noon in Halifax. So, if you're in the west, try to go on in the evening hours. If you're in the east, try to go on in the morning hours.
The guarantor information will still have to be filled in by hand, and don't forget to sign the application in the designated places. Print out all of your stuff, make sure you have your two identical pictures (one of which is certified by your guarantor) and have all of your identification documents on you.
Why File For Your New Passports Online?
By doing it online, when you show up to the office, you get to skip the entire line and minimize waiting!!! When they ask you in the initial "triage" lineup as they're handing out queue tickets, tell them that you did it online and it has the barcode. I guess they've had people say they did it online, while what they meant was that they printed it off and filled it out by hand. So, just make sure it is clear to the first people you talk to that you did the online one and have a barcode.
People with a hand-written application get an office lineup ticket which is A### (eg: A314 or A254, etc). The system is all electronic, so waiters get to sit and wait for their number rather than stand in line. You do NOT want an A ticket. Your queue ticket should read C###. If you get an A ticket, talk to the commissionaire and mention that you have an online application. The C tickets are essentially "next in line tickets", so as soon as the Commissionaire prints one off for you, look to see if your number is on the screens (it could be at any of the booths, booths aren't "A" booths all the time). The C ticket is the government's reward to you for saving their time and energy on data entry, plus your tax money. This is how it worked in Mississauga, different cities seem to have different letter coding systems... They just scan the barcode, and the software automatically make sure everything is correct and fills in their forms, saving everyone tons of time.
Where To Get Your New Passport or Canadian Passport Renewal In Mississauga
For New Passport Applications and Renewals in Mississauga, take a look at my new website: Maps and Directions to Passport Canada Mississauga
Miscellaneous Hints&Tips
- Use a decent web browser like Firefox to fill out the form properly the first time.
- For the sake of speed, I recommend attaching your papers and pictures together with one paper clip. Have all of your ID in a nice stack. If paying in cash, have the $87 Adult Passport Fee ready in exact change(see this link for other child fees, rush, etc.), or your debit card or credit card ready.
- Use Google Maps to get directions to the office. Bring coins if you might need them for parking.
- Try to choose references that have a cellphone, so that they can be reached at any time. Don't choose references that do, say, shift work, and are unreachable for large parts of the day unless you absolutely have to.
- Watch out on Hurontario/410 just north of the QEW, the speed limit is 50km/h, so especially avoid the rightmost lanes, or just be careful.
- Keep your receipt, you may need it. Apparently the whole process is tracked. My passport came in an Xpressport Prepaid Envelope with no identifying return address, other than a postal code in Gatineau, Quebec. I guess Xpresspost w/ Signature Delivery is what they consider "Registered". Nice touch. So if you have a random Xpresspost delivery notice instructing you to go to your Post Office, then it is probably your new passport. I'm not sure if any passports come from other places or not.
- You can still do the online application for mailed-in applications, which should also speed things up and reduce the chances of an error.
- If you need to check the status of your new passport application or renewal, use Passport Canada's status check. If you need to call, leave a general Passport inquiry on their website, and let them call you back, if you don't want to wait on hold.
Final note: Feel free to ask the Passport Canada people any questions you may have, or even chit-chat for a little bit if you feel like it (you did your job by saving them tons of time on data entry). They're people just like you and me. As well, don't get overly irritated if something doesn't go your way. It is sad to see some officers actually behind a security barrier.
Other Canadian Passport Articles that may be helpful:
- Toronto Passport Office Location
- Passports and Criminal Records & Charges
- Checking the Status of your Canadian Passport Application
- Rush, Urgent & Fast Ways to Get Your Canadian Passport
- Maps To Passport Offices in London Ontario & Windsor Ontario
Good info
Hello! bkcedfc interesting bkcedfc site!
Passport just renewed and in process, can we cross the border?
Thought to try my luck and see if anyone can shine some light on my question.
My father just renewed his passport and it is currently in transit/process right now. We thought to spontaneously go to Buffalo tomorrow morning, but are thinking he won't be able to cross the border given the passport he has is now void. Is there any way of crossing the border and showing other identification (ie. Canadian citizenship, license) along with the voided passport?
TIA!
Baby Passport- can I put him on my passport?
Hi Dan,
I recently was told that my 7 mos old son can be "put on my passport" to travel. Is this true?
If so, how do I go about getting him on my passport and also, if I go down in person for a rush job, I think from reading your blog that I have to go to victoria street and not any other place...is that correct? Thanks!
It used to be, but I believe
It used to be, but I believe it is no longer possible to have children inside their parent's passports.
For a rush passport, you would need to go to one of the full-service passport offices, like Downtown Toronto Passport Office, North York Passport Office, Mississauga Passport Office, etc.
You don't have to go to the one that is the most local to you if you don't want to.
Can I use my passport until the date of expiry?
My passport expires at the end of August. Can I take trips to US until the date of expiry (i.e., return date just before expiry) or would I have trouble leaving Canada if they see that the return date is too close?
How To Overcome Anxiety Disorder?
Thanks for posting this article on e-pass.The information is been really helpful for us.Do U have any idea about this xanax tablets?I had heard that these are used by those who have anxiety disorder?Where can I get more information about it?
signing
Dumb question: Does "signed at" mean the province?
Thanks
Emergency
Hello,
My husband's uncle passed away in New York City today. His passport expired in Jan 2010. we have the form completed with new pictures.
Can he get a permit to go for the funeral tomorrow?
Expired Passport: Attending a funeral
Best to call the border he plans on crossing through and seeing if they can make a special exemption for him.
hi i have 2 questions 1. Can
hi i have 2 questions
1. Can i get a passport for my daughter even without her father's information/signature? I have the sole custody and i do not know the whereabouts of my daughters father.
2. i really want to take my daughter to a trip outside the country my problem is i do not know where her father is and it says that i need the signature/consent of the dad. i have a sole custody of my daughter is there a way to do this without the father's consent/signature?
thnx,
prince
child's passport xpiring midtrip
If 1 of our 3 children's passport xpires while in Costa Rica do u think we'd experience difficulties returning to canada (american airlines thru/ miami - in transit) ?
Thx.Sean
child's passport expiring mid trip
Hi.
We r a family of 5.
All passports in order as of now.
we r booking flts 2 costa rica feb.7 w/ return apr.15.
my youngest, 4 yrs old, has a passport which xpires 3 days
before return flt.
Is this a prob. that neesds 2 b addressed prior 2 deparure
or will it be allowable as we reentering?
Thx.
Sean
Try to get a new passport
Try to get a new passport ASAP. They might not let you into Costa Rica in the first place with a passport that expires so quickly.
photos
Hi there !
I just noticed that the photographer who took my baby's photos put stamp on both pictures instead of one, is that going to be a problem ? Will I have to take pics again ?
Thanks.
Do you have to go down in person to get a passport?
I am a mother of 4 children over the age of 16 and all of them are away at school. If each one fills out their own application and if I have all of the supporting documents can I take all 4 applications down to the office myself without having them present?
Someone Else's Passport Application at a Passport Office
The short answer is: Yes.
Longer answer: Read this page about presenting other people's passport applications.
CANADIAN TRAVEL DOCUMENT
Hello,
Im orginally iraqi living in Canada, and I havent received my perment residency card yet, but I got accepted as a convention refugee, I thought I wasnt able to leave canada even with my iraqi passport but I heard I could if I apply for a travel document, so I did, and I got approved for it, and now have it. It looks exactly like a passport, it says on the front page 'this refugee travel document is valid for travel to all countries except iraq', but my question is, can I travel to the US with it without a problem with it? I dont want to get stuck there or be able to go and not come back to canada, i live here, and I am a full time university student. So is it risky or i should be fine?
Thanks
Leaving Canada/Entering USA with travel document
The Canadian<->US border is the kind where you only go through entry borders.
In other words, when you leave the USA, you only have to go through the Canadian customs/immigration windows, you don't have to go through a US exit border. As long as you're re-admissible to Canada, you couldn't get "stuck" in the USA.
They'll either let you in the USA, or they won't. If they don't, they'll likely just ask you to go back to Canada. This is a lot easier if you drive versus if you fly.
To see if you're admissible to the USA, give the border that you plan to cross through a telephone call and see what they say.
None of this is legal advice, I'm not liable if you end up getting stuck anywhere :)
lol, but my question is will
lol, but my question is will they let me into the US with a travel document?
Travel Documents, Passports, USA
Call the border crossing which you intend to use and find out is what I suggested. My understanding is that the Canadian-issued travel document is accepted like a Canadian passport, but without the rights of Canadian citizenship (so behave on your trip). But, like I said, it's all up to the US to decide how they treat it, ask them.
Passport Renewal & Passort NO ?
I can't seem to find when you renew your Passport throught the Simplified process, Do you keep the same Passport No on your new one?
I am betting you do where you have to return them. But does anyone know for sure?
Thanks!
I have 2 questions Q1. When
I have 2 questions
Q1. When I submit my passport for renewal (in person), will my previous passport be returned right away or it will be kept and returned only with new passport. I am asking as my old passport has visa and I need it during my travel.
Q2. If I want to pick up my new passport in person, then what I have to do. There is nothing mentioned in the application when and where I can pickup my passport.
Thanks in advance
Kumar
expired passport and leaving to fly soon
I have a problem. I just remembered that my passport is expired and i already booked flight and everything. Im leaving in 2 days and and my passport expired 5 days ago. How can I get a new passport a.s.a.p. or can they allow me to fly with an expired passport?
RUSH/Urgent Canadian Passport: Leaving in 2 days
windsor detroit
I commute from Windsor to Detroit every day using my passport with TN visa. If i submit my passport for renewal how i can go to work?
Submitting Old Passport When Renewing a Passport
It seems like you may be SOL:
Response from Passport Canada:
All passports that are still valid must be submitted for cancellation when an application is submitted for a new passport. The principle that Canadians hold only one valid passport at any given time is a key element in the prevention of passport abuse.
There are convenient options for applicants who travel often and cannot be without a passport for a long period of time. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your passport application in person at a Passport Canada office, in order to obtain your new passport more rapidly.
Issuance of a passport from a Passport Canada office requires 10 working days (regular service); not including the day the application is submitted and courier delay.
Passport Canada offices provide express passport issuance between 2 and 9 business days following the receipt of the application, for a fee of CAN$30 and urgent service within 24 hours following the receipt of the application, for a fee of CAN$70. These fees are in addition to the regular passport fee.
Please note both express and urgent requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Proof of travel will be required for urgent service requests and it may be required for express service requests.
It is MANDATORY that applicants requesting express or urgent service apply in person; applications submitted by a third party will not be accepted.
how to get passport fast?
Im leaving to the US in 9 day and do not have a passport yet. What can i do to get it that fast and be good to go?
they have a next day service
they have a next day service for an additional fee
As an expat Canadian living
As an expat Canadian living abroad and renewing my Canadian passport, should the 2 references be Canadian residents or residents of the country where I live? I saw on another forum where it said they should be Canadian residents but I can’t find in the application form or instructions where it says that. Am I missing something?
How do I get a Canadian Passport in the U.S.
I have a Permanent Resident Alien Card here in the U.S., but I'm still a Canadian citizen.
Guide on who can be your
Guide on who can be your Canadian Passport Application reference. They don't have to be Canadian residents, but it can be helpful for the purposes of timezones.
Applying for Someone Else
Can I bring my parent's passport applications and all of the required documents and apply for theirs in person when I apply for mine? Or must they actually be there?
hand written filled in form
I couldn't get my computer to work to fill in the forms on there. Will it take me longer at the office if I have filled in the forms (renewals for me and 2 kids) by hand?
E-pass
This service was discontinued as there were huge security issues. Several problems were discovered- - if you knew soeone elses SIN- you could look up all of their information online- there wasn't a secondary step for identification so there were privacy/PIPEDA issues. The same was true if you had previous PPT #- you could access someone elses file. Information was too easily accessed and stolen form the site. These issues were first reported over a year ago- and there was no secure resolution- and there were lots of issues related to identiity theft thru this application process; therefore, the site closed.
E-Pass Security.
Thanks for the update. I do recall the publicized security breach last year when they were using non-random session IDs, which really costs them a lot of faith in their set up. I mean, how bad do you have to be to use incremental session IDs???This does raise other questions, as E-Pass is still used for other government services, just not passports any more.
Canadian passport for child when father is not Canadian???
Hello, I hope you can help me....
My son is a year old and was born in Canada, I am Canadian as well. On the attestation of birth the father wrote his name and birth country (american). He left the address blank and they assumed he lived with me here in Canada (which I already had to straighten out with my province for tax purposes). My problem is that I applied for a Passport for my son, they said without court papers I would need the fathers signature. The father filled out the application with his name, cellphone number and Canadian address(so they assumed he lived in Ontario)(My son and I live in another province). Heres the main problem, he never provided them with proper identification, hence they declined my aplication after several attempts to reach him. He is NOT Canadian, however the passport office would not know that considering he wrote a canadian address on the application.
All I have to show who he is is the attestation of birth saying which country he is from, which is not an official court document.
Can I get my sons passport by explaining that the father is not Canadian, and cannot be reached (he has never told me his address) and dont even know if he is still in this country? Or do I have to go get court orders stating that the father is a non canadian and unable to locate. Thanks
It does not matter if he is
It does not matter if he is Canadian or American the process for this is the same. I just went through this last month with my own child. Go to passport office and ask for a guideline sheet called "Whereabouts of father unknown" This is what you use if address is unknown to you. Then type it out and have it notarized then return with your new passport applicaion.
simplified passport renewal for Citizens living out of ccountry
Hi
We are living in South Africa for a three year term, our passports expire in Oct. and we will be visiting in Canada in Aug. Although we are living out of country, we will be applying in person, in Ottawa, can we qualify for the simplified form? The form ask for permanent residence and it won't take anything other than Canadian or US addresses.
Simplified form = For Canadian and US residents only
Well, as I understand, the simplified form is only for Canadian and US residents, regardless of where you present your application. I think they might accept it through one of the Caribbean islands, but that doesn't really matter here. So, you'll have to go through the regular application form. Both should get processed just as quickly, but this regular form will take longer to fill out.
Why not just renew your passport in South Africa? It sounds like there will be plenty of time.
Lost
Hi Dan,
My dad realized a couple of months ago he couldn't find his passport. I've tried unsuccessfully to find it at his residence..just wondering if you have any insight as to what's required next. I believe he has to sign a document stating that it's lost?
Thanks
Lost Canadian Passport Forms
Lost Canadian Passport Information is here.
Passport Renewal Application: Occupation Information
Employer Information: Is it important to complete this and contact information if not working in Can, but in US?
Passport Renewal Form Question
You should complete it regardless of where you've worked. I doubt they really look into it unless they are suspicious of something, but listing nothing at all might lead to suspicion in itself.
Online form
hi Dan,
Since the on-line application form has been shut down, do you have a better idea now if the interactive form they're advocating is a better way to apply rather than the paper forms from the post office? IE do the give preferential treatment for these forms?
Thanks
Hi anonymous! It looks
Hi anonymous!
It looks like your options are the new "interactive" PDF forms which just convert some of your entered data into a barcode that they can scan in at the office. The barcode actually contains all of the information, it's never sent to them or stored on their servers.
I'd say this is still better than paper (really, just about anything is better than handwritten paper applications), but I'm still not sure if they get the preferential treatment.
My understanting is that Canadian Passport Offices are nowhere near as busy as they were when I first wrote this article. The "Second wave" of applications expected for when people will need passports to just drive across the border just hasn't materialized, and Passport Canada streamlined a good chunk of their processes, as well as hired on a bunch of new people.
It seems like the "Passport
It seems like the "Passport On-Line" application will be closed soon.
Passport Online
Permanent closing of Passport On-line
Please note that the POL application form will be permanently closed down as of March 31, 2009, at 3 p.m. EDT.
Do you have an application in progress?
Be sure to fill out and print your application before the announced closing date. Information not printed out before this date will be permanently lost.
Do you wish to fill out a new application?
Use our new interactive forms.
Would you recommend using the "new interactive forms" or trying to finish my application by March 31st? Also note that I don't think I am eligible for the "Simplified Renewal Form" as I was 15 when I got my last passport.
Yikes, I'm really surprised
Yikes, I'm really surprised by this. I'm sure it cost them a lot of money to implement, but once it's made, it's not like they can recover the costs by shutting it all down.
Oh, and I think the link you wanted was this one to their news release.
Now passport office visits will take a lot longer since they'll have to manually enter in all of your typed-in info once you get there, and you're at increased risk of mistakes that they might make (with the online form, you only had yourself to blame mostly if there was one).
It says that the new forms will have a barcode, but I don't see how that would work, I'm betting they're still referring to the online passport application.
Why the heck would they do this???
Oh, and to answer your question, try to get the Passport Online application in, as you are correct and not eligible for the Simplified Renewal if you were 15 when you got your last passport.
supporting identification
What kind of supporting identification can i use if i only have a passport? I don't have a drivers licences, and i have an old red and white health card!
What is there that I can take to the office?
Spend 5 minutes reading the
Spend 5 minutes reading the forms and you'll get a better answer than you possibly could here, and in less time.
e-pass
Using MY e-pass, can I complete the on-line applications for myself, my husband and my children (over 16)? Or are separate e-pass accounts required for each application?
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