BristolUK

Mother in law and two stepkids will shortly be applying for their first Canadian Passports.

Anyone have any recommendations of how to do it?
Totally independently? Use the service at Canada Post Office - is it similar to the UK post office passport service?

Or use Service Canada who, I believe, will take notarised copies of birth certs and forward the applications? Do they go over the application or do they have the means of doing it online via their own computer system?

If Service Canada, is it best to go as a threesome with one staff member doing all together or better to go as three individuals?

dbd33

I just got a Canadian passport (mixed case, I don't know if this applies to shouty ones). The previous one had expired years ago so it was the same as getting a first one:

- google for the form
- read form and instructions, gather gubbins
- fill form in
- print it
- get it endorsed
- photocopy it*
- have any photocopied documents endorsed "I have seen the original"
- place form and gubbins in envelope
- post, registered, to the address provided
- phone call from passport office saying they'd trashed the forms, do it all again, hence addition of *'d instruction
- await passport
- turnaround about a fortnight

You seem to be overthinking this so I suggest having a few beers, maybe a joint, before starting so as to promote a chilled approach.

magnumpi

I used a service Canada office. They checked all my forms, took the fee and boom, done, 5 mins in out.

BristolUK

Well, passport office or family cock up is what I'm wanting to avoid. I'm hoping for as little involvement as possible as I'll be doing all the travel arrangements, booking, planning etc.

That sounds just like what I'm after, thanks.

MarkG

Ditto. Hard part was finding the office, then a few minutes' wait and it was done.

bats

Service Canada in Whitby though it's a bit of a trek for you.

Twitcher1958

There's a passport office in Whitby Mall - very straightforward if you can get there.

bats

That's the one. Right by where I get my painting supplies

BristolUK

I know where ours is. 10 minute bus ride downtown.

Applying for my SIN was short and sweet in 2007 but last year I called there about OAS. They had an initial reception point and then an hour minimum wait.

I don't know if they had specialists for each subject or if they were all supposed to be proficient in all parts but it didn't seem very efficient.

Considering all I needed was certificates copying and notarising along with some pages from my passport, it turned into a right rigmarole.

bats

Some Service Canada offices are more specialised. For example the Peterborougg office just checks your application and forwards it, the Whitby office can issue the passport.

not2old

A vacation outside of Canada soon then?

OK, fess up Bristol, where is it that you will all be going to first & when?

Partially discharged

A weekend in Calais,,,er Maine perhaps.

BristolUK

Nowhere yet but looking to start with a few days in Paris and finishing with a few days in Nice.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/europ...venice-858135/


http://britishexpats.com/forum/europ...e-nice-870409/

not2old

Nice

hint, to the MIL, is to get her to pay the full holiday for all four of you

Suggesting to her that she might as well spend it 'ALL' now rather than leaving it to her grandkids after she has popped her clogs

scilly

Go to the Post Office.

Pick up the required Passport Application envelope ............. all necessary forms and instructions will be in there. NOTE:- you have a choice of two envelopes, one is for new passports and one for renewals; make sure you get the correct one

Obey instructions on getting photographs, documents, etc

Obey instructions on getting photos, documents etc signed and authenticated

Put in envelope

Take to Service Canada Centre, wait, see clerk, once she has checked and said everything is OK ------ hand over credit card

Opt for registered mail delivery (otherwise you have to go down to the Service Centre and wait)

All done