Renewing My Passport

[blooberry 3]

Hi all,

I really appreciate this VisaJourney website. It helps to know others are having similar experiences and that we can share our stories.

I have successfully moved to the United States from Canada. Our one year wedding anniversary was two weeks ago. :-) I have my Green Card (conditional Permanent Resident) and am holding a part-time job.

I apologize if my question is simple. This is posted to Regional Discussion: Canada, and also Your New Life in America. I am sorry if I am posting to an incorrect forum. But I've done a few internet searches and am not sure where to turn. Here is the situation:

I am concerned about my Canadian passport. It expires in April 2008. This is my first passport, so I've never had to go through the process of renewing it before.

-How do I renew my Canadian passport since I am now living in California?

Is there an application I need to fill out?

-Should I be anxious about sending my passport through the mail? (When I was originally issued a passport, I chose to do everything in person.)

-I now use my married name, and my passport was issued in my maiden name. I would like to change it to my married name.

-When applying for my initial passport, I had to show proof of citizenship with my ORIGINAL birth certificate.

Is this required again? Does the passport office accept copies, or is it originals only? I am loathe to send my original long-form birth certificate, particularly because USCIS has asked for it on a number of occasions. I don't ever want to let that baby out of my sight! :-) I have a shorter birth certificate (in laminated card form). Would that work?

-Also, when applying for my initial passport, it required the signature of a "guarantor" -- someone in professional standing who has known me for a minimum of two years. (At the time, I used my doctor.) Is this again required? I haven't had opportunity to form professional contacts -- I haven't even BEEN here for two years yet! This worries me.

-Since my passport expires in April 2008, what timeframe is needed for processing? Should I renew it right away?

Thank you to all of those who read this. Suggestions and advice are welcome. I am grateful for any assistance.

Sincerely,

Lisa (and Brian) :-)

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hi all,

I really appreciate this VisaJourney website. It helps to know others are having similar experiences and that we can share our stories.

weeks ago. :-) I have my Green Card (conditional Permanent Resident) and am holding a part-time job.

I have successfully moved to the United States from Canada. Our one year wedding anniversary was two

I apologize if my question is simple. This is posted to Regional Discussion: Canada, and also Your New Life in America. I am sorry if I am posting to an incorrect forum. But I've done a few internet searches and am not sure where to turn. Here is the situation:

I am concerned about my Canadian passport. It expires in April 2008. This is my first passport, so I've never had to go through the process of renewing it before.

-How do I renew my Canadian passport since I am now living in California?

Is there an application I need to fill out?

-Should I be anxious about sending my passport through the mail? (When I was originally issued a passport, I chose to do everything in person.)

-I now use my married name, and my passport was issued in my maiden name. I would like to change it to my married name.

-When applying for my initial passport, I had to show proof of citizenship with my ORIGINAL birth certificate.

Is this required again? Does the passport office accept copies, or is it originals only? I am loathe to send my original long-form birth certificate, particularly because USCIS has asked for it on a number of occasions. I don't ever want to let that baby out of my sight! :-) I have a shorter birth certificate (in laminated card form). Would that work?

-Also, when applying for my initial passport, it required the signature of a "guarantor" -- someone in professional standing who has known me for a minimum of two years. (At the time, I used my doctor.) Is this again required? I haven't had opportunity to form professional contacts -- I haven't even BEEN here for two years yet! This worries me.

-Since my passport expires in April 2008, what timeframe is needed for processing? Should I renew it right away?

Thank you to all of those who read this. Suggestions and advice are welcome. I am grateful for any assistance.

Sincerely,

Lisa (and Brian) :-)

Download PPT 140 form, downloadable and mail it in (with fee, required docs) to Ottawa (or courier to Gatineau).

[Reba 2]

-How do I renew my Canadian passport since I am now living in California?

Is there an application I need to fill out?

Canadian passports are not "renewable", you have to apply all over again, same as before. See the link posted above for the application form, and there is more information at Passport Canada website.

-Should I be anxious about sending my passport through the mail? (When I was originally issued a passport, I chose to do everything in person.)

another VJ member recently just got a new passport and it took a few weeks I think, but everything was fine. If you're worried about sending official documents thru the mail, send it registered, signature required, so that you can track it.

-I now use my married name, and my passport was issued in my maiden name. I would like to change it to my married name.

send a copy of your marriage certificate with the application, and put your married name on the application

-When applying for my initial passport, I had to show proof of citizenship with my ORIGINAL birth certificate.

Is this required again? Does the passport office accept copies, or is it originals only? I am loathe to send my original long-form birth certificate, particularly because USCIS has asked for it on a number of occasions. I don't ever want to let that baby out of my sight! :-) I have a shorter birth certificate (in laminated card form). Would that work?

I believe the small birth certificate is fine for passport applications, I never had a long form until I was applying for the visa to the US, I only ever used the small one. But you need to send the laminated one, not a photocopy

-Also, when applying for my initial passport, it required the signature of a "guarantor" -- someone in professional standing who has known me for a minimum of two years. (At the time, I used my doctor.) Is this again required? I haven't had opportunity to form professional contacts -- I haven't even BEEN here for two years yet! This worries me.

you can always send it to someone at home who can be a guarantor, it doesn't have to be someone in the US. Mail it home and then have them forward it to the Passport office for you

-Since my passport expires in April 2008, what timeframe is needed for processing? Should I renew it right away?

they won't renew a passport until its just a few weeks left on it, or has expired. Check the timelines on the link I posted above with the info for Canadians living in the US.

[ljs 1]

If you cannot find a guarantor, you can get Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor signed.

"Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official."

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/usa/guarantor.aspx?lang=e

[Saddle Bronc 124]

For guarantor, a notary public--available at most bank branches--will suffice.

[Marilyn. 340]

If you cannot find a guarantor, you can get Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor signed.

"Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official."

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/usa/guarantor.aspx?lang=e

I was just going to post that exact thing... I have a question though who would a "qualified local offical" be?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

If you cannot find a guarantor, you can get Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor signed.

"Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official."

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/usa/guarantor.aspx?lang=e

I was just going to post that exact thing... I have a question though who would a "qualified local offical" be?

Reiterate--a notary public will do just dandy.

[zyggy 9]

The list of acceptable guarantors in the US includes the following

Doctor

Dentist

Attorney

Notary Public

Pharmacist

Police Officer, Judge or Magistrate

Veterinarian

Signing Officer of a Bank or Trust Company

Edited September 5, 2006 by zyggy

[Marilyn. 340]

If you cannot find a guarantor, you can get Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor signed.

"Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official."

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/usa/guarantor.aspx?lang=e

I was just going to post that exact thing... I have a question though who would a "qualified local offical" be?

Reiterate--a notary public will do just dandy.

The list of acceptable guarantors in the US includes the following

Doctor

Dentist

Attorney

Notary Public

Pharmacist

Police Officer, Judge or Magistrate

Veterinarian

Signing Officer of a Bank or Trust Company

The reason I ask is I thought the guarantor had to be a Canadian citizen.... or am I wrong??

[Neja 0]

If you cannot find a guarantor, you can get Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor signed.

"Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official."

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/usa/guarantor.aspx?lang=e

I was just going to post that exact thing... I have a question though who would a "qualified local offical" be?

Reiterate--a notary public will do just dandy.

The list of acceptable guarantors in the US includes the following

Doctor

Dentist

Attorney

Notary Public

Pharmacist

Police Officer, Judge or Magistrate

Veterinarian

Signing Officer of a Bank or Trust Company

The reason I ask is I thought the guarantor had to be a Canadian citizen.... or am I wrong??

The guarantor can be Canadian or American, it just has to be someone in one of the professions in the list and have known you for 2 years.

I just renewed my passport using the "Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" form. I had it signed by a notary public, sent everything off to Quebec and had my new passport in about 2 weeks. I was amazed! It was so quick.

[Marilyn. 340]

the problem for me is that by the time my passport needs to be renewed I won't have known anybody in any of those professions for 2 years

[Saddle Bronc 124]

the problem for me is that by the time my passport needs to be renewed I won't have known anybody in any of those professions for 2 years

For Canucks in US, no such (the 2 years) need (I did so before, applying from Dallas using bank notary public's stamp/signature--and I only spent a total of 6 months in Dallas).

[Marilyn. 340]

the problem for me is that by the time my passport needs to be renewed I won't have known anybody in any of those professions for 2 years

For Canucks in US, no such (the 2 years) need (I did so before, applying from Dallas using bank notary public's stamp/signature--and I only spent a total of 6 months in Dallas).

ok, thats good.... will have to keep that in mind....

[Neja 0]

Just use the declaration in "Lieu of Guarantor" form. The notary that signs it doesn't even need to have known you at all before they sign the form. Then you also need 2 references who can be anyone except your family, I used 2 friends in Canada.