quanvon
Feb 19th, 2007, 03:36 PM
If you're not in a major hurry (ie. can wait 4-6 weeks) and want to avoid waiting in line for a LONG time. Find out if you're local passport office has a drop box or special drop area. The lines in vancouver have been about 3-5 hours on average i've heard. For sinclair (DT vancouver), i was told people would arrive at 3am to wait until the building opened at 6am, then wait further until the office opened at 7:30am. That's already 4.5 hours of waiting before even getting a number.
Anyhow, had to drop off my daughter's for our end of april trip. Hubby had tried going to Rmd, but was discouraged after 45 mins in line, then hearing someone say he was in line the day before and the line was half as long and he waited 4 hours and still didn't make it that day (he didn't arrive until 12:30pm) and thus was in line to wait again.
So decided to go later in the day to see if the line was shorter since the previous day i had gone in to ask a question and was surprised to see about 15 people in line. I think it was valentine's day so people weren't willing to wait as long as they had better things to do. ;) But, it was busy again. So chatted up one of the commissionaires who was overseeing the lines and he was nice enough to mention to me that if i wasn't in a big hurry, i should try the drop box service they offer from 10am-12pm usually every day.
Anyhow, just got back and only had to wait about 1/2 hour. NOTE: an agent will actually check your whole application and if anything will get rejected they'll let you know then and there. You'll need to provide photocopies of the front and back of you ID and the person checking will certify your ID. I didn't realize i needed a photocopy so had to run downstairs to get it copied and ended having to wait for an extra 2 people who had fallen in line while i was away photocopying.
If you're planning to go to the drop box location at Sinclair, it's on the north east corner of the main floor. If you're not sure, just ask a commissioner who's by the elevators/door to the passport office.
BTW, for those considering mailing their app, i've been told that it could take 3-4 months. I guess it also depends where you live.
Good luck!
Anyhow, had to drop off my daughter's for our end of april trip. Hubby had tried going to Rmd, but was discouraged after 45 mins in line, then hearing someone say he was in line the day before and the line was half as long and he waited 4 hours and still didn't make it that day (he didn't arrive until 12:30pm) and thus was in line to wait again.
So decided to go later in the day to see if the line was shorter since the previous day i had gone in to ask a question and was surprised to see about 15 people in line. I think it was valentine's day so people weren't willing to wait as long as they had better things to do. ;) But, it was busy again. So chatted up one of the commissionaires who was overseeing the lines and he was nice enough to mention to me that if i wasn't in a big hurry, i should try the drop box service they offer from 10am-12pm usually every day.
Anyhow, just got back and only had to wait about 1/2 hour. NOTE: an agent will actually check your whole application and if anything will get rejected they'll let you know then and there. You'll need to provide photocopies of the front and back of you ID and the person checking will certify your ID. I didn't realize i needed a photocopy so had to run downstairs to get it copied and ended having to wait for an extra 2 people who had fallen in line while i was away photocopying.
If you're planning to go to the drop box location at Sinclair, it's on the north east corner of the main floor. If you're not sure, just ask a commissioner who's by the elevators/door to the passport office.
BTW, for those considering mailing their app, i've been told that it could take 3-4 months. I guess it also depends where you live.
Good luck!