Hello all,
I am starting this thread to give an update on the passport application process these days, a long saga involving Canada post and Service Canada. The whole process was kick started on the 1st of March with photographs and reading on the application process provided the on the govt. website.
My advice to the forum
I am starting this thread to give an update on the passport application process these days, a long saga involving Canada post and Service Canada. The whole process was kick started on the 1st of March with photographs and reading on the application process provided the on the govt. website.
- Nowadays you cannot walk into any Service Canada location with accompanying documents and apply for passport, you will have to make an appointment.
- The appointment making process is only partially automated, fill a web form and wait for Service Canada to call you back
- Due to some availability issues, I decided to the alternate route of application by mail
- On the 3rd March '22 I sent the application package by express post, with tracking, thus starting the long episode
- After a 4-5 days I tried track the application it showed the status in transit
- The website kept on showing the same status for more than a week
- I called local post office to enquire, was told the post left the location the same day, ie the 3rd March
- Called Canada post, no further information could be obtained
- After three weeks I called Service Canada on the 24th of March. After about 3 attempts I could get through, only to be informed that they don't have my information in their system.
- Then I raised a service ticket with Canada post for later delivery, and they post promptly reimbursed the postage fee
- Then raised another ticket to report the lost package
- The first ray of hope came in the form of an alert of from the credit card on the 28th of March reporting a charge of $160 in favor sc passport varennes 2
- Then comes the email from Canada post stating no further information could be provided as the receiver handles large volumes of mail. They asked me to contact the receiver to find the status.
- On the 28th April the new passport arrived.
My advice to the forum
- Things are crazy post covid
- If possible get an appointment with local Service Canada and apply in person, it will be faster and will give you peace of mind
