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Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:16 pm
by glendalais
As you may or may not know, I'm a Canadian living in the US.
With that comes certain duties that need to be undertaken every so often. Voting in Federal Elections by mail. Lashing out at friends and neighbours after certain Olympic embarassments (don't get me started :p :) . And really importantly, maintaining a proper Passport.
That's what's been causing me so much headache recently. Time has come for me to apply for a new Canadian Passport. There are certain things that are different about this process compared to applying for an American Passport.
You have to have a guarantor to vouch for your identity. Barring that, you have to drag your entire application over to a Notary Public.
You have to submit references.
And most differently, the picture sizes are different. U.S. Passport Photos are 2 in. by 2 in.. Canadian Photos are 50 mm. by 70 mm., or 2 in. by 2¾ in.. On top of that, it has to be a professional portrait (no taking one in your bathroom) and the photographer has to put their contact information on the back (hence why it's taller).
This has been the procedure for years, and if I were in Canada, would be taken care of in a relative heartbeat.
That's the problem. I'm not.
I've been driving across Central Florida like a madman trying to find someone willing to do this for me. Place after place, people seem to be adverse to the idea of leaving ¾ths of an inch on the photo. I broach the subject, and they seem to freeze up and give me this look like I have two heads. Indeed, one lovely man out in Altamonte Springs barely let me get the words 'Canadian' and 'Passport' out before saying no.
Ugh! :mad:
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 5:30 pm
by BRWombat
You're lucky. Down in the Miami area, with all the guns, say the word "millimeter" out loud and you'll probably find yourself in a shootout.
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:03 pm
by GRUMPY PIRATE
glendalais wrote:As you may or may not know, I'm a Canadian living in the US.
With that comes certain duties that need to be undertaken every so often. Voting in Federal Elections by mail. Lashing out at friends and neighbours after certain Olympic embarassments (don't get me started :p :) . And really importantly, maintaining a proper Passport.
That's what's been causing me so much headache recently. Time has come for me to apply for a new Canadian Passport. There are certain things that are different about this process compared to applying for an American Passport.
You have to have a guarantor to vouch for your identity. Barring that, you have to drag your entire application over to a Notary Public.
You have to submit references.
And most differently, the picture sizes are different. U.S. Passport Photos are 2 in. by 2 in.. Canadian Photos are 50 mm. by 70 mm., or 2 in. by 2¾ in.. On top of that, it has to be a professional portrait (no taking one in your bathroom) and the photographer has to put their contact information on the back (hence why it's taller).
This has been the procedure for years, and if I were in Canada, would be taken care of in a relative heartbeat.
That's the problem. I'm not.
I've been driving across Central Florida like a madman trying to find someone willing to do this for me. Place after place, people seem to be adverse to the idea of leaving ¾ths of an inch on the photo. I broach the subject, and they seem to freeze up and give me this look like I have two heads. Indeed, one lovely man out in Altamonte Springs barely let me get the words 'Canadian' and 'Passport' out before saying no.
Ugh! :mad:
Wow!
last time I got my two passports update, I went to a AAA auto club office...perhaps they would be a source of knowing who could do that for you? or a call to the nearest embassy? found this for flordia
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/contact/offices ... ?id=308006
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:59 pm
by leftcoaster
What about a post office?
IIRC, most county seats (IE: the town or place where the county business is done, usually the main court house is nearby) do passports.
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:35 pm
by Big Wallaby
What is the definition of "professional" and what information needs to be on the back?
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 10:15 pm
by darph nader
Sounds like someone is lining someones pockets.
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:57 am
by glendalais
GRUMPY PIRATE wrote:Wow!
last time I got my two passports update, I went to a AAA auto club office...perhaps they would be a source of knowing who could do that for you? or a call to the nearest embassy? found this for flordia
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/contact/offices ... ?id=308006
I shot off an e-mail to the Consulate General for advice a few days ago. They haven't gotten back to me just yet.
leftcoaster wrote:What about a post office?
IIRC, most county seats (IE: the town or place where the county business is done, usually the main court house is nearby) do passports.
I'm not so sure that they I could apply for a Canadian Passport at a US Passport Acceptance facility.
On top of that, their photos probably wouldn't be accepted (see below).
Big Wallaby wrote:What is the definition of "professional" and what information needs to be on the back?
According to Passport Canada, they have to be a commercial photo studio or photographer (i.e. one that is set up as a business to take photographs).
They would need to write their Studio or Personal Name and Address on the back, along with the date the photo was taken, leaving enough room for the Guarantor to provide the legal proclamations required.
It ends up looking like this:
On the bright side, I've found a place in Downtown Orlando that seems to be willing to do this for me. I'm heading there tomorrow to see what they say, and hopefully it all works out.
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:30 am
by hobie16
Phony a name up. Something like Joe Baggadonuts Fine Photography & Cholesterol Bombs.
Remember, all professional means is you're getting paid to do something. Pay some kid with a camera and Photoshop to do the deal. Shoot the pic, resize in PS and print it to good paper.
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:23 am
by delsdad
hobie16 wrote:Phony a name up. Something like Joe Baggadonuts Fine Photography & Cholesterol Bombs.
Remember, all professional means is you're getting paid to do something. Pay some kid with a camera and Photoshop to do the deal. Shoot the pic, resize in PS and print it to good paper.
They actually follow up on the studio info from time to time, verifying the adddress and such with a phone call or a check online. If they found it was fraudulant, they might find reason to deny the passport for "bureaucratic" reasons.
You need to find a Canadian photog who just happen to be visiting Orlando on holidays. I suggest contacting Christine at Fairytale Dreams and Destinations,
http://www.fairytaledestinations.com/index.php the only Canadian Disney specialist, and find out if she is sending down any clients who happen to be pro photographers. They could do the shot for you at WDW.
Re: Who Knew ¾th of an Inch Could Be So Problematic?!
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:21 pm
by Notatourist
You might want to try Harmon Photo while you're downtown. They are on Princeton, right on the lake, there is also another photography studio on Princeton, before you get there, it's across from Theater Downtown.
Good Luck!