We love to travel and having an up-to-date passport is essential. With 3 passports expiring, it was time for the dreaded renewal. A lot has changed in 5 years....and I don't just mean my picture.
I'd like to give credit to the Canadian Government and the revamped passport service. First of all, there is a new simplified form which means you don't have to get someone to sign your photo. Secondly, the face to face service was excellent. The Ottawa office opens at 7:30 in the morning....and I was back at my office by 8:05. When I arrived, there was a line out the door. It moved very quickly and most importantly, they have a couple of people who check out your paperwork BEFORE you get a number and wait to process your passport application. As it turned out, I could not use a simplifed form to renew my children's passports because they had to be of age at their last application. While I went ahead and got my passport processed, at least they gave me the option not to wait twice.
Another nice touch is that you don't have to stand in line; they issue you a number and you sit and wait for the electronic board to post your number and the wicket. Although there were probably 10 people ahead of me, I didn't wait more than about 5 minutes. Barely enough BlackBerry time!
For payment, they accept everything but cash- again, very civilized.
All in all, the staff were friendly, helpful and efficient.
The only improvement I can suggest is that the room itself is kind of dingy- perhaps some free travel posters on the wall? On balance though, they have focused on the right experience: getting you through the process as quickly and accurately as possible.
Well done!
