Renewing passport for Canadian citizen holding a US Green Card

[Udella&Wiz 325]

They will keep his old passport, but like Kathryn said...they'll take copies of his id used to prove identity from what I understand. They obviously cannot keep his GC since he'll need it to get back into the US

Since I'm doing the very same thing shortly.....does anyone think it will be a problem to NOT have my passport when I return to the US...only a few days after I renew the passport? It will be in process obviously and I won;t have the new one back

Edited April 11, 2010 by Udella&Wiz

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

They will keep his old passport, but like Kathryn said...they'll take copies of his id used to prove identity from what I understand. They obviously cannot keep his GC since he'll need it to get back into the US

Since I'm doing the very same thing shortly.....does anyone think it will be a problem to NOT have my passport when I return to the US...only a few days after I renew the passport? It will be in process obviously and I won;t have the new one back

We will bring all the documents suggested in this thread, just in case!

Yeah I thought the laws now say that everyone needs a passport to go in and out of the US, even by land. We are driving there so I was under the impression he'll need a valid passport (along with his GC) to re-enter the US? If they cut a corner of his current passport will they let him back into the US with that (in case the new one isn't ready by the time we leave)?

[antda 13]

Wow thanks for the great replies everyone! My husband is from Ottawa Canada and we'd probably go to the Passport Canada at this location:

240 Sparks Street, Level C, East Tower

Ottawa ON

Reading through the replies reminded me that we'd better make sure they don't take his passport or else we might have trouble getting back into the US Can't believe I hadn't thought of that one!

Is it a guarantee that they won't take your documents if you apply in person? I suppose if they say they need to keep anything we can always change our minds and mail in the application once we return to the US. We're only going to be in Canada for less than 1 week in May so we probably won't have time to wait and pick it up while we're there, eh?

Oh yeah and in case it matters, my husband is eligible to apply for the simplified renewal application and all it says to mail in with that is the application, fee, photos, and old passport. Does this mean he shouldn't need all the identification you brought Ant+D+BabyA? We can always bring it along just in case though..

Either way, as long as he has the new passport by our cruise in September then we are golden!

If you are applying at the passport center they shouldn't need to keep your documentation - you are showing them the originals and they verify them at that time, then return the originals to your possession. They will keep his still valid passport so remember to ask for it to be returned as well - you will need to keep it for proof of immigration history - they will cancel it and return it to him with the new passport. Bring all of the documents suggested just in case they don't allow him to do the simplified form. I can't see why not, however, you don't want to run the risk of not having something you might need available so it is easier to bring it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

They will keep his old passport, but like Kathryn said...they'll take copies of his id used to prove identity from what I understand. They obviously cannot keep his GC since he'll need it to get back into the US

Since I'm doing the very same thing shortly.....does anyone think it will be a problem to NOT have my passport when I return to the US...only a few days after I renew the passport? It will be in process obviously and I won;t have the new one back

Hi Everyone,

In answer to your questions...

When I applied in-person, they gave my documents back RIGHT AWAY!

And yes, they did ask for all that identification documentation, regardless...

When I was there in-person, I told them that I especially needed my documents back, as I couldn't return home to the USA without them. They had no problems with that either (lol..they don't want to keep my documents anyways...).

For the old passport, they asked me if I wanted it back, and I said yes. So they gave it back to me (with the corner snipped off, to make it invalid). And I crossed back with that expired passport and the Passport Canada receipt.

I had no problem crossing back with that expired passport and receipt for a new passport, along with my valid green card. I explained this all to the US border guard, who seemed confused at first, but then let us through with no problems anyways. (note: I travelled by land though, so I don't know about air travel..you might have to ask more about that).

So make sure you have your old passport and a reciept from passport Canada when you go back too.

The US only cares that you have valid documents to enter to the US with. And with a valid green card, it proves you residency status, so you shouldn't have any problems at all crossing back to the USA.

Now if only the US passport were that easy....lol...

I still can't believe that they want to keep my original naturalization certificate...no way....

Anyways, hope this helps...Good luck with all your passport applications too...

Ant

Edited April 11, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[antda 13]

Everyone...

By the way.....(sorry to hijack this thread, but since we are talking about passports...I thought someone here can help too)....

Since I moved, do I have to tell Passport Canada about my address change?

And if so, how do I do this? (Note: passport Canada has my former February 2009 address, and I moved in August 2009)

I already put my new mailing address in pen in my new Canadian passport...Is that good enough already? Or do I have to also officially notify Passport Canada about this new address too?

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. appreciated... Thanks.

Ant

Edited April 11, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Udella&Wiz 325]

They only keep your naturalization paper until they send your new US passport though, correct?

I agree that it's a little scary not to have your documents in your possession. Thanks for the tip on getting my old Cdn passport back that day....99% of the time they don;t ask for anything more then my GC when travelling by land, but you know that would be the day when they wanetd the Cdn passport!

Hi Everyone,

In answer to your questions...

When I applied in-person, they gave my documents back RIGHT AWAY!

And yes, they did ask for all that identification documentation, regardless...

When I was there in-person, I told them that I especially needed my documents back, as I couldn't return home to the USA without them. They had no problems with that either (lol..they don't want to keep my documents anyways...).

For the old passport, they asked me if I wanted it back, and I said yes. So they gave it back to me (with the corner snipped off, to make it invalid). And I crossed back with that expired passport and the Passport Canada receipt.

I had no problem crossing back with that expired passport and receipt for a new passport, along with my valid green card. I explained this all to the US border guard, who seemed confused at first, but then let us through with no problems anyways. (note: I travelled by land though, so I don't know about air travel..you might have to ask more about that).

So make sure you have your old passport and a reciept from passport Canada when you go back too.

The US only cares that you have valid documents to enter to the US with. And with a valid green card, it proves you residency status, so you shouldn't have any problems at all crossing back to the USA.

Now if only the US passport were that easy....lol...

I still can't believe that they want to keep my original naturalization certificate...no way....

Anyways, hope this helps...Good luck with all your passport applications too...

Ant

[antda 13]

They only keep your naturalization paper until they send your new US passport though, correct?

I agree that it's a little scary not to have your documents in your possession. Thanks for the tip on getting my old Cdn passport back that day....99% of the time they don;t ask for anything more then my GC when travelling by land, but you know that would be the day when they wanetd the Cdn passport!

UdellaandWiz-Yes (from what I've read on other VJ threads)...They only keep the naturalization paper until they send the US passport...But that can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks for normal service.....And that's way too long for them to hold onto such an important document! As well, it costs $400+ and many months for a replacement naturalization certitifcate....So yeah...if they lose it....it's a lot of trouble to have to go through the USCIS again for a replacement....

Lol..Yet another reason why I am not applying for a US passport......

Oh yeah, I definitely agree with you about not having important documents in possession. And having to worry about them getting lost and then replaced, not a good idea....

No problem about asking for the old passport back. Yes, they will give it back to you...as long as you ask for it...

It doesn't matter if it was expired or still valid...It's yours....

And passport Canada will honour that request, especially if you need it to get back to the USA!

(now, if only the USCIS worked this way...I want my old green card back, for sentimental reasons...lol...)

And yes, don't forget about the green card, as you definitely need that to get back home!

Ant

Edited April 11, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Marilyn. 340]

Lawful Permanent Residents

Air Travel

All travelers including children must present a passport or secure travel document when entering the United States by air.

Land/Sea Travel

Lawful permanent residents may continue to present their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card. More information available at CBP.gov.

http://www.dhs.gov/files/crossingborders/travelers.shtm

[Flames9_RN 358]

for the USA passport: they mail back the naturalization certificate separate from the passport. They say 3-6 weeks, I think I had mien back in like 10 days. Not a big deal!

[antda 13]

for the USA passport: they mail back the naturalization certificate separate from the passport. They say 3-6 weeks, I think I had mien back in like 10 days. Not a big deal!

Flames9_RN-Glad you got your cert back quickly, with no problems..Wow..10 days..That's quick..

Glad you got your US passport too, with no problems either!

Happy travelling!

Btw...(I posted this in another VJ post, but I thought I would post it here too, to explain my story further..)

No, I am not required to maintain a Canadian passport. Actually, the main reason why I renewed my Canadian passport last year was due to the I-751 green card delays. So I had no choice but to renew it, so that I could get the I-551 stamp to make my residency status valid. (see my vj timeline for more info). So it's kind of funny, that it was because of the USCIS that I had to renew my Canadian passport, and that opened up another can of worms...(but that's another story)...

So right now, I have my Canadian passport, for the next 4 years...

So I thought my problems would be over after I got US Citizenship, and I could get a US passport too.....

But I then run into more problems with the USCIS and DHS again....

1) They cannot issue me a passport with no birth place listed on it, from what I've read. Canada allows me to have a 'blank' as a birth country listing option. This is what I prefer, as I don't like my other birth coutnry (it's not Canada), and further complicates things when I'm travelling to Canada.

2) They want to take my original naturalization certificate (which would cost $400 and many months later for a replacement, if lost), despite applying in-person for such. Canada allows me to have my documents back right away when I apply in-person.

So to that I said no to a US passport, and for now still have my Canadian one.....

I am debating as to whether or not I will renew my Canadian passport after 2014 (when it expires)..We'll see.... (lol..if only I can find a guarrantor and references..sigh..)

So the irony of it all..Is that because of those reasons, the USA is 'forcing' me to keep a Canadian passport.....

On a funny note...It's a good thing that we live in NYS...And they offer EDLs for land travel, in lieu of US passports!

Lol.And to this day, me as a new USC, my USC husband, and my USC son still don't have US passports....

So we all decided..Not to get US passports...The DMV is the way to go instead...

I got my EDL, my husband got his EDL, and we're thinking about getting an EDL for our son..

And yes, those are acceptable for travelling to Canada too...

The US passport office lost our business..lol...

Ok, I'm done with my reply and ranting....lol..sorry....

Just thought I would explain such...

Ant

Edited April 11, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Flames9_RN 358]

i can see ur point in not wanting to hand over a piece of paperwork in the mail,lol but that is your decision. I would think the majority have no problems what so ever mailing the Naturalization cert in and getting it back, but of course I imagine some do! Majority of people cross the street without getting hit by a car, but some do, guess one should just stay home,lol only kidding.

[antda 13]

i can see ur point in not wanting to hand over a piece of paperwork in the mail,lol but that is your decision. I would think the majority have no problems what so ever mailing the Naturalization cert in and getting it back, but of course I imagine some do! Majority of people cross the street without getting hit by a car, but some do, guess one should just stay home,lol only kidding.

Flames9_RN- Lol...If it was any other piece of paper, I would have no problems..

But this is a US Naturalization Certificate 'special' piece of paper that is expensive and hard to replace...

I sure don't want to deal with the USCIS again for a replacement!

And yes, USPS (which is the method they use for mailing the certificate back) is not too reliable either. In fact, I lost my son's birth certificate because of them (but that's another story...). So I dare not take that chance with them either..

Lol..If it makes you feel any better, I feel the same way about my Canadian Citizenship Card/certificate...

I sure don't want to deal with Immigration Canada for a replacement either!

So I'm glad that Passport Canada does allow for that in-person application option, and that they give the documents back right way, and send the new passport via DHL instead...Less to worry about, here, indeed!

Now, if only the US passport office offers such an option (without having to pay extra) for such too....

Nevertheless, I'm glad that others don't have any problems sending their documents in the mail and then getting them back.

All the more power to you! And I wish I had the same luck as you do too!

Lol...Just with me and my dumb luck...I would rather not risk it, that's all....

Ant

[Flames9_RN 358]

oh i have lost things in the mail, guess to me its just a piece of paper,lol It can be replaced

Edited April 11, 2010 by Flames9_RN

[antda 13]

oh i have lost things in the mail, guess to me its just a piece of paper,lol It can be replaced

Flames9_RN- Lol...

True that it is just a piece of paper, with nothing more than a photo glued onto it..

Amateur, I admit....lol...I pretty sure anyone here on VJ could have done a better job in making a certificate..lol....

Which makes me wonder why it was worth $675 in the first place.....

And another $400 and gosh knows how many months to replace it if it gets lost.....

Lol...Money aside, dealing with the USCIS again for a replacement...

That is stress that I don't need in my life!....

Ant

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

This thread gave great information and advice, thanks!

Good luck to everyone else in updating their passports as well I wish Canadian passport lasted 10 yrs like U.S ones do for my hubby's sake

[Krikit 1,164]

Anytime I cross the land borders they only want to see the GC. Anytime I fly they want to see both the GC and the passport.

Oh. I forgot to mention..... I once had a CBP Officer at a land border tell me that an expired passport was better than no passport at all.