Expedite Canadian passport?

My passport is up in mid-July, so I sent my passport application in mid-April. I waited 'til then because I thought I had a trip coming (I travel a lot for my job).

Passport Canada was saying their normal processing time of 2 to 4 weeks could now be "up to 6 weeks", but that still left me plenty of time. I filled everything in, triple checked it, spent $30 Fedexing it to Gatineau.

It's now 8 weeks later and I just got everything returned to me, and I'm furious. My photos were rejected because of "shadows behind the ears" which I can only see if I look real close under a bright light. Did I say I got everything returned to me? Not quite -- they kept the $97 fee.

I got my photos at AAA which do hundreds of passport photos a week. They said they were fine. Good enough for the US government but not the Canadian government, apparently. I think this is a money making scheme.

Plus, I had sent a nice covering letter asking Passport Canada to contact me immediately in case of problems. I left my phone number and email address. If they had called me a week ago when they saw the offending photos, I could have sent them new ones immediately. Instead they send everything back. Now that's customer service!

So now I'm looking to expedite. My passport expires in less than 4 weeks and I'm hearing they are now 10 to 12 weeks (!?!) processing time.

Besides the fact I can no longer travel for my job, I have to return to Canada to renew my TN visa soon. If that expires, I can't get paid and the US government kicks me out. Plus we may have to rush to Montreal for our green card interview this summer. Our green cards have already been delayed a year, if we miss the interview we could be waiting another year (this is a whole other story).

Maybe I can drive across the border and back to renew my TN visa. However I need my birth certificate, and that will be sitting with the passport application. I did get a copy of my birth certificate, but that is with my green card application (the one that has been delayed a year). Is this simple incompetence or are they really out to get me?

So. does anyone have any advice?

The US government has an official expediting service but the Canadian government only has a vague "at need" thing and you have to beg in person while holding a plane ticket. I'm in Virginia so that's no help.

I see Passport Canada will be offering a shorter process in August, for Canadian residents only. No help at all for expats.

I hear your pain. What a mess this thing with Passport Canada is! I suspect my photos were rejected as well. I think I may end up taking my own photos this time to be sure and edit them in photoshop if necessary to remove shadows.

If you really need your passport soon, you may be better off going to Canada to apply in person. Phone PPC anyways and explain your situation and ask them what you can do. Luckily for me, I don't need a passport at the moment so I'll grin and bear the ridiculous 3-4 month wait.

dave mc

Yeah that's what I hear. It sounds like people are getting much better service if they apply in person.

Has anyone heard about these guys -- Certificates Express?

- can't post the URL cuz the BB doesn't trust me yet, here's something that worked maybe y'all can piece it together:

w w w
certificatesexpress
com
/passports/index.php


It sounds like a 2 man operation: David Klimitz and his assistant. They guarantee same day passport renewal for $999 if you come in from the US, or $480 if you are in Canada (or if you fly into Canada from the US and make all travel arrangements to the passport office yourself).

I don't know how he does it, and he didn't want to give away his secrets but he said he could fax me a list of references.

Somehow this post got corrupted?

nm. seems to be fixed now.

My application was mailed March 12 (delivered March 16).
They finally charged my credit-card on June 19.
Any idea how long from the credit-card charge until I get my passport?

Does the fact that they charged my card mean that my application was accepted?

Thanks,
- Greg

One would think so, but someone I spoke to asked me if Passport Canada had credited my Visa when they rejected my claim, so I take that to mean they can charge it first. I have no idea if it really does happen or how often.

However, for me it looks like I never got charged (miracle) after all. I would have been happier if they had kept my money and given me a passport, or given me the opportunity to send in new photos, but nope. it all came back.

A friend of mine, living in Boston, ran into the same thing. He went to the Canadian consulate and they were able to recommend a passport place that would meet the Canadian standards. Once he had his picture taken there he successfully got his new passport.

this is really freaking me out as they received my application on like the 5th of April and it's now June 29th and my card has not been charged. what a mess. I have travel plans to go to Panama on the 15th of July. guess that won't be happening. I'd greatly appreciate if someone could email me if they have any information on how long their application took. I just hope they don't reject my photos or something.

My application was mailed March 12 (delivered March 16).
They finally charged my credit-card on June 19.

fyi: I recieved 3 of 4 passports on June 28 (even though they charged me for 4 passports). Not sure what is going on with 4th one.

What an absolute fiasco this whole passport thing is turning out to be. I sent mine in by courier on April 24, and I'm pretty sure right now that an Aug 4 overseas trip is going to have to be cancelled, as I have lost all faith in Passport Canada.

I called them yesterday (I found the 819-area code number easier to connect than the 800-number, for some reason) and the woman told me that if I gave them the tracking # of the package they could possibly do something for me, since I would be travelling in a month. Today, I called them back with the tracking #, and the woman said she would email some department there that deals with international renewals, and that I should also fax my particulars there as well. Still, there's absolutely no guarantee, and she told me frankly that I should think about changing my travel plans.

I am frustrated as h*ll with them right now, and all I need is for my picture to get rejected because of some stupid shadows or a shiny forehead or something. Not much I can realistically do but sit and wait, I guess.

B.