Passport Office

COME PREPARED!!Things to bring just in case:- Phone charger- Book- Drink- Comfortable shoes- Folding chair- Snack(s)- Change of clothes (2 or 3 sets)- Deodorant- Sleeping bag- Tent- Sunscreen & hat- Propane stove & propane tank- Paper plates & reusable cutlery- Firewood- (Optional) Marshmallows- Application paperworkIn all seriousness - as of November 2022, any backlog you may have heard of is now over. I applied in person on Oct 27th and received both passports (one was a new one, one was a renewal) exactly 1 week later by mail. I didn't even have to ask for rush service of any kind.Otherwise, all the staff was super friendly ('Greeter', 2x security people, application person). The total wait time in the office was 2.5 hours and the process was well organized - with a 'greeter' who checks your paperwork to ensure you have everything needed before you commit to wait your turn.Based on other reviews, it seems like people are rushing to arrive super early and this is in turn creating the biggest crowd and wait time. If you're able, don't go in until later morning or early afternoon.

[Written in April 2023]Service was super fast! I lined up starting 7:33am on 28-Mar-2023 and was tenth in the crowd, and left at 8:50am on the dot. They let you in early to wait in a room but the office actually opens at 8:30am. It was smooth, quick and very easy for me. I came in to apply for a first-time passport. The officers were super friendly. I received my passport on 11-Apr-2023 but it was actually issued on 31-Mar-2023...Canada Post was to be blamed here, but it's all good - I can travel freely now!My mom also applied for hers in January 2023 and it also went as smooth as mine, except that she arrived closer to 8am and left at 9:10am.Thank you officers for working so hard and diligently!

Excellent service from start to finishThe moment you walk in the building the staff downstairs greets you and direct you to which the passport service is. I came in around 8:30am and out by 9:45. The only thing that took time was waiting for your number to be shown on the screen (sometimes the people don't even look but there's always this person who calls out the number). Took about 10 minutes to process my renewal and then off I go.Given the location of it in downtown, the process time is very fast and efficient and plus the staff are very friendly

Not sure why the media is hell bent on crying about passport backlogs. My experience was very smooth and I applied 4 days after the strike ended. I recommend going around Noon - 1PM when the morning crowd is gone. I went in at 12.30 and was out by 1.30.My application was the normal 10-20 days. The passport was mailed in 4 business days and I received it a week after applying. If your documents are in order, you should receive it very quickly.

Really great passport renewal experience this morning! Arrived at 6am, was out by 9:45am. Staff was amazing, all things considered. Passport will be mailed to me on the 23rd of this month, flight is leaving in early Sept.Picture 1: Lineup at 6am, 62 people were in front of me.Picture 2: Lineup at 8:30.Picture 3: Lineup at 9:45. There was still capacity for additional passport applications at this point.This said, there’s a law of diminishing return the earlier you line up (is it worth it to line up for 6 hours to save 1?). Little bro went in last week at 10am and walked in with essentially no wait. There’s definitely a risk, but if going later works for your schedule, that’s what I’d recommend.Good luck!

I initially planned to go the next day but after realizing that the place where I got my passport photos done was right next door to the passport office I decided to give it and go and see if it was busy. So glad I did. I got there at 12:45pm and was out of there by 2:30pm. Service was relatively fast compared to what I am used to with the Winnipeg office branch and the officer that processed my documents was extremely friendly, helpful, and informative. If you're renewing a passport like I was, you can fill out the form there by hand, you don't have to print off a form offline. Paid for the express service and they said it would be ready in 5 business days. So overall, extremely pleased and satisfied with the swift, prompt, and friendly service that I received.

I was impressed by the security guards. They were professional, approachable and organized. Arrived on a Friday at 7:50. The first waiting area was busy but don’t be deceived. They call numbers in groups of 10 upstairs and it moves fast (once doors open at 8:30). Went upstairs for processing around 8:45 (they had already called 3 groups up before me) and was approved and gone by 9:20am. I did hear that Mondays and Fridays are the busiest days and there is usually a wait all day about an hour. Plan accordingly, 2 hours to be safe for your whole visit. With no rush to travel and I should expect my passport in 1 week once it’s mailed out in a few days.

Well-run operation and smooth experience.I arrived at 8:45am on a Monday morning and was out around 10:45. I sat in the crowded ground floor waiting room for roughly an hour then was called to go upstairs. Spoke with an agent to confirm my documents were all correct and was given another number. Sat in the less-crowded 3rd floor area for about 45 minutes. When I was called up, the interaction took about 3 minutes and I was out the door. Overall it took just shy of two hours. Everything was smooth.

Good experience and better organized than most Service Ontario offices.They let in people in batches of 10, and each batch takes roughly 20 minutes or so.I arrived at 7:15 and there were around 9 people in front of me, so I was in the first batch. I had all documents ready in a folder, so it took me only 10 minutes to be out of the door.Overall, good experience. I just wish they opened earlier.Also passport pick ups are quicker and at a different door. You do not need to arrive as early in order to pick up.