Fastest passport office line... South or DT? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Flabbibulin · 07-23-2012, 10:38 AM

Just wondering if anyone has applied or renewed their passport in person in the last while and know which of the two offices, in Calgary, has a shorter line/wait? It was probably a 4 hour wait at the Harry Hays 5 years ago and hoping to avoid that this time. Never been to the south office, but the line was insane when I checked it out 5 years ago.

I want to do this in person as opposed to mailing in, so hoping someone can give me info on the quicker of the two locations.

btw, I am renewing, but my wife has to apply for a new one because of marraige name change- not sure if that makes a difference on lining up. Both hoping to go tomorrow.

Thanks.

Sopure · 07-23-2012, 10:41 AM

When I renewed my passport last year, I went to the south location (Fish Creek) first. I waited in line for a long time there and then a woman said I couldn't renew my passport because it was damaged. I think it got wet in Mexico or something. I was a little miffed, so I went to Staples and got some glue sticks, etc, and ironed my passport between two T-shirts.

I went to the Harry Hays building, got in right away and surprise-- they accepted the passport.

I have a preference for Harry Hays Building. *shrug*

tete · 07-23-2012, 10:41 AM

I applied for my daughter's passport two months ago and was in and out in 10 minutes downtown.

burn_this_city · 07-23-2012, 10:42 AM

I did the renewal application online and was in and out of the fish creek location in 15 minutes.

Flabbibulin · 07-23-2012, 10:46 AM

hmmm, sounds like the lines aren't so bad anymore. As I recall, the long wait for me last time was right after the rule change with regards to travelling to US and Mexico. Back to normal now I guess.

Flabbibulin · 07-23-2012, 10:47 AM

follow up question- how long did it take to receive new passport after submitting app? I don't leave till the very end of August, so I think I am ok? Website says 10 business days, but you never know.

Regular_John · 07-23-2012, 10:52 AM

Renewed my passport in March of this year at the Harry Hay's building, went right at 8:00am and was in/out in under 20 minutes. The hours of waiting 5 years ago were really the result of the change to US passport requirements, prompting many Canadians (myself included) to get their first passport & create a crush on the system. But the passport offices have really stepped up their game and seem to be handeling the volume much better these days.

Honestly I'd just recommend going first thing in the morning with all your paperwork in order and you should be fine.

getbak · 07-23-2012, 10:54 AM

Harry Hays is a lot better than it used to be. I don't think it's worth it to go out of your way to go to Fish Creek like it used to be.

I'd go to whichever one is more convenient to you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

follow up question- how long did it take to receive new passport after submitting app? I don't leave till the very end of August, so I think I am ok? Website says 10 business days, but you never know.

Mine took just over a week back in December, but like you say, they guarantee it in 2 weeks, so you won't have a problem.

Flabbibulin · 07-23-2012, 10:58 AM

Thanks everyone.

JD · 07-23-2012, 11:00 AM

It's fast, no matter which office you use. I've used both in the past couple years.

Quote:

When I renewed my passport last year, I went to the south location (Fish Creek) first. I waited in line for a long time there and then a woman said I couldn't renew my passport because it was damaged. I think it got wet in Mexico or something.

Something odd about that... when I went to that office, they claimed my passport was damaged and it had to be confiscated. A big problem for me, since I had to travel to the UAE in a matter of 10 days and my visa was stamped in that passport. They didn't care and forced me to apply for a replacement passport. They insisted that the damaged one had to be taken away and could not be returned, no matter how much begging and pleading I did.

Apparently they're not all that consistent with that practice. Man, did I ever have to go through a lot of trouble to get that visa replaced. The UAE consulate in Ottawa informed me it was an easy process, people lose visas all the time! Well apparently "losing" a visa and having it confiscated by the Canadian government are two different things in their eyes and I had to go through hell and back to get my visa again.

Sopure · 07-23-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

It's fast, no matter which office you use. I've used both in the past couple years.

Something odd about that... when I went to that office, they claimed my passport was damaged and it had to be confiscated. A big problem for me, since I had to travel to the UAE in a matter of 10 days and my visa was stamped in that passport. They didn't care and forced me to apply for a replacement passport. They insisted that the damaged one had to be taken away and could not be returned, no matter how much begging and pleading I did.

Apparently they're not all that consistent with that practice. Man, did I ever have to go through a lot of trouble to get that visa replaced. The UAE consulate in Ottawa informed me it was an easy process, people lose visas all the time! Well apparently "losing" a visa and having it confiscated by the Canadian government are two different things in their eyes and I had to go through hell and back to get my visa again.

It's funny you say that, because when I told a couple people at work what happened, they said the same thing-- "you mean, they didn't take the passport?"

I had no idea that they were supposed to take it, I just remember her handing it back to me, and she said I'd have to go through the whole application process all over again. If memory serves, it was the lady who stands before the actual desks/kiosks/whatever that checks to see if your documents are all in order and you're not missing anything. Maybe she was junior or new on the job or something.

Flabbibulin · 07-23-2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

It's fast, no matter which office you use. I've used both in the past couple years.

Something odd about that... when I went to that office, they claimed my passport was damaged and it had to be confiscated. A big problem for me, since I had to travel to the UAE in a matter of 10 days and my visa was stamped in that passport. They didn't care and forced me to apply for a replacement passport. They insisted that the damaged one had to be taken away and could not be returned, no matter how much begging and pleading I did.

Apparently they're not all that consistent with that practice. Man, did I ever have to go through a lot of trouble to get that visa replaced. The UAE consulate in Ottawa informed me it was an easy process, people lose visas all the time! Well apparently "losing" a visa and having it confiscated by the Canadian government are two different things in their eyes and I had to go through hell and back to get my visa again.

Ya, I spilled some ink on my previous passport and there was a lot of confusion on whether or not it needed to be replaced. Traveled to Trinidad and the States with it no problem, but was then told coming back in that I should probably replace it. I think it depends on who you ask and what mood they are in.

No one ever mentioned confiscating it though- cant recall if the ink covered the serial number. I replaced it though just to be safe.

krynski · 07-23-2012, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

It's fast, no matter which office you use. I've used both in the past couple years.

Something odd about that... when I went to that office, they claimed my passport was damaged and it had to be confiscated. A big problem for me, since I had to travel to the UAE in a matter of 10 days and my visa was stamped in that passport. They didn't care and forced me to apply for a replacement passport. They insisted that the damaged one had to be taken away and could not be returned, no matter how much begging and pleading I did.

Apparently they're not all that consistent with that practice. Man, did I ever have to go through a lot of trouble to get that visa replaced. The UAE consulate in Ottawa informed me it was an easy process, people lose visas all the time! Well apparently "losing" a visa and having it confiscated by the Canadian government are two different things in their eyes and I had to go through hell and back to get my visa again.

Huh. that sounds like a pain. My old passport was in extremely bad shape before it expired. It was worn and had rips. When I was in amsterdam going through customs (I was grabbing a connection there) to fly to the u.s., the border agent said my passport was in absolutely twrrible condition and that he would let me through, but there would be only a 50/50 chance the u.s. would. Thankfully, they did.

burn_this_city · 07-23-2012, 11:16 AM

I received mine about 10 days later by registered letter.

Spuds_Buckley · 07-23-2012, 12:06 PM

I went to the Harry Hays and was in and out in 20 min. As long as you have your paperwork and photos ready to go, it's a breeze.

ClubFlames · 07-23-2012, 12:18 PM

Harry Hays, in and out in about 15 mins.

HockeyInTheHimalayas · 07-23-2012, 03:51 PM

I've been at the Harry Hays for passports several times in the last few weeks of July.
Once for a renewal, and once to assist someone in a new application.
The renewal line was much quicker at the Harry Hays, took around 15 minutes total, whereas the new application took approximately 30minutes for the wait. There are two seperate lines based on renewal or new application. Both times,
I went at approximately 11am. I remember it being worse at the same location years ago, it's really become a lot quicker. I'm sure people will scour the internet and find this thread for years to come.

Nammer403 · 07-23-2012, 03:56 PM

Went to Harry Hays in May for a renewal, took about 10 mins and this was in the morning

Daradon · 07-23-2012, 03:57 PM

Both are a lot faster than they used to be. They've really streamlined the process and we haven't had to worry about changes to the passport in a while.

DownhillGoat · 07-23-2012, 04:24 PM

There's also passport services in One Executive Place on Crowchild. Takes a bit longer to get back, but not by much. I was in and out in about a half hour or so and got it back in 3 weeks.