Peterborough, Ontario – Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough Riding, will be holding a series of Fall Passport Clinics to assist the constituents of Peterborough Riding with Canadian Passport applications.
 
All Peterborough Riding constituents are welcome to attend. The aim of the clinics is to assist constituents in applying for their Canadian Passports.
 
If you have never had a passport or if your current passport has been expired for more that one (1) year, you must bring with you original proof of Canadian citizenship in the form of a birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship as well as supporting identification with your current name and signature such as a Driver’s Licence, Provincial Health Card, Social Insurance Number Card or Old Age Security Card.  Your original proof of citizenship MUST accompany the application.  The supporting identification can be a photocopy, as long as the photocopy details the entire document (both sides) and is clear and readable. The photocopy must also be signed and dated by your guarantor. Two identical passport photographs are also required. There will be a photographer onsite that will take pictures for a nominal fee.
 
You must also have your guarantor sign the passport application, one of the photos and, if required, a photocopy of your supporting identification. Obtaining a guarantor is the responsibility of the applicant and can be anyone that currently possesses a valid Canadian Passport and has known you for at least two years.
 
If you have a current Canadian Passport that is currently valid or has been expired for less than one (1) year, you MAY be able to use the new Simplified Passport Renewal Form - although some restrictions still do apply. In the case of a simplified renewal, all that is required is your current passport, 2 new photos, a completed form and payment.
 
Although there is no additional cost to attend a Passport Clinic, the fees for processing a passport are as follows; $22.00 for children under 3, $37.00 for children aged 3 to 15 years and $87.00 for adults (16 years of age or over). Payment must accompany your application and can be paid by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, money order or certified cheque made out to the Receiver General for Canada.
 
Applicants will also need to sign a consent form if they wish to have their MP act on their behalf in exchanging information with Passport Canada.
 
Currently, turn-a-round time for receiving passports is four to five weeks if there are no problems with the application. For urgent passport requests, or if applicants have already purchased travel tickets, they are urged to apply in person at the nearest Passport Offices located in Whitby and Scarborough.
 
It is important to mention that Passport Clinics are a voluntary service provided by the MP’s office. Staff are trained to provide information and examine Passport applications for the most common errors. Having your application sent through an MP’s office DOES NOT guarantee that the application will be accepted at Passport Canada. Passport Canada reserves the right to accept or decline passport applications and request corrections, photo replacement and/or further information.
 
For more information, constituents are encouraged to call the office at (705) 745-2108.