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Posts: 334
Location: Madison, WI | Heres some background info....
I applied for my passport back in the first week of june. For whatever reason they didn't start processing until June 22, move ahead till now and it's still processing (per the passport status page).
I'm supposed to leave for eagle lake Aug 7th, so i called the passport info number a few weeks ago and was informed by the passport agent on the phone to make an appointment at a "local" office because they offer same day service. I possibly have to reapply AND repay for everything all over again but it's my last resort, short of the passpoet showing up before I leave (very doubtful at this point) the good news is that Minneapolis has an office and we're driving neat there anyway on our way to the border. So I've got my appointment for first thing on the morning and hopefully be able to get on our way quickly.
So I'm wondering, does anyone have any experience dealing with these offices? I've got all the needed paperwork and identifying documents and I'm still worried.
Any suggestions or help is appreciated. So fary first timegoing to eagle lake is rocky.
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Posts: 120
| I travel full time for work and I know several people in my company have had to go to a "local office" to get their passports because of time constraints and everything went fine. I would not sweat it. I have no idea how long the appointment takes though. If you called them and they said you could get it right away you should have no problem. Good luck at Eagle. |
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Location: MN | Unless things have changed in the last two years, you can enter canada with a copy of your birth certificate and a picture ID. I did it and there were no questions asked going both ways. Call the border crossing to be sure. |
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Posts: 334
Location: Madison, WI | Thanks for the info. I was told that it's possible to cross with just a birth certificate coming back into the us is the problem. I'll place some calls tomorrow. I'll still probably keep my appointment as its a for sure thing even if it takes more time |
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Posts: 1220
| I was told that I'd only need the passport to get back in the US, not for the Canadians. I went in North of Warroad MN a few weeks ago and, sure enough, they wanted my US passport to enter Canada. Going back into the US a week later, the agent was only interested in my total catch, biggest fish, and the bait. I'm pretty sure he wasn't too concerned. I think these guys see the mud on the trailer, the unmistakable sunburn around the shades, seven days of stubble and they're pretty sure you are not Achmed Bin Laden. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | perryvisa.com ... i travel internationally for work and have used these folks for 15 years for passport, visas etc... they are located in chicago and do charge a fee but in all the time i've used them i have never, ever been let down and have had to get visas in a pinch multiple times. their passport service/response is just as good as their visa service. |
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Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Remember, no fireworks or livestock. |
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Posts: 3147
| I.applied for a passport card on July 3rd and got it on July 28th I used the expedited service,,,granted its the card not the full passport. It might be alot faster to get the card.
Edited by happy hooker 8/3/2015 9:53 AM
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | The Mlps office should have you set up in a few hours. They key is having all your documents. I have had friends who have done it went well.
Edited by NathanH 8/3/2015 10:15 AM
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Posts: 1220
| Strictly a guess on my part, but.....I'm thinking that if I re-enter the US at (let's say) Young's Bay and use the video phone to call the US and tell them I'm back....and then call the Canadians to tell them I'm going to re-enter Canada to drive back to Warroad...Well, they know my car licence, boat number, and if my car shows up about 45 minutes later at the entry point...I'd say they already know everything about me. Personally, I don't sense any of these people working the border are trying to be anything like a bother to fishermen. Really, it was all really comfortable! |
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Posts: 15
| I applied for a passport the last week of May for a trip I took to Canada July 17th. I was worried that I wouldn't get it on time, so five days before I left I called the passport office and had them expedite it for $75 and received my passport on time. You will need to call the passport office and tell them your date of travel and for $75 they will overnight it to your house. |
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Posts: 334
Location: Madison, WI | Its been an on going struggle trying to even get a straight answer out of the passport people on the phone. They're polite, but very hands off and vague to say the least. I actually did apply for the card as I dont ever see myself flying internationally.
They told me they could not expedite the passport card because it can not be over nighted like the book can. Its all been a big up/down journey trying to get htis thing with different answers from the 6 different people ive talked to. The sad part is that I paid for expedited service on the card at the local office when I applied. After 3 weeks of not seeing anything I called and learned it was processed using standard processing. So im still dealing with the clerks office as to why this is messed up.
The funny part is that back before a passport was needed i used to travel between wisconsin and NY via michigan/windsor - niagara falls/new york without any issues and border crossings were a breeze. They never even asked for ID half the time.
Oh well times change and I will just keep my fingers crossed that MN office will get me on my way within a few hours. |
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Posts: 253
Location: On the water | I just got back from Canada and asked the guards at both borders about passports. The Canadian guard said no you don't need a passport but you will need one to get back into the US, so some guards won't let you in without it. When entering the US he said they can't keep an American citizen out of the country because of no passport BUT he said it would take about 4-6 hours to check you out before letting you back into the country. This is what the guards said that I talked to. I carry a passport card and had no trouble entering both countries. Good Luck, Tom |
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Posts: 3147
| and here's a smuggling tip from my walleye boozing friends,,,go to the store and buy NEW gas cans ,,fill them up with whiskey,Rum,etc,,,,they never check. |
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Posts: 334
Location: Madison, WI | UPDATE: I finally recieved the first solid piece of information yesteday after work. I got an email stating that my application is suspended until i can remedy the situation. The situation being, MY PASSPORT PHOTO IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! All this time and not one person could give me the reason why it was taking so long. Needless to say I got walgreens to take a new (free) one for me, I sent it out with needed forms via overnight delivery and a money order to cover the overnight fee back to me. They seemed fairly confindent that I will have it by friday. Hopefully I do, otherwise its back to my original plan B and go to my appointment in minneapolis.
MY only concern to the passport advisor was if it does finally show completed status and I dont recieve it, can minneapolis just re-issue me one or completed a request for a lost/stolen passport since technically I dont have it?? Anyone have any idea what is all involved in that process??
So many unanswered questions and concerns through this whole process, I am less than pleased. I wish there was someone I could voice my concerns too, but unfortunatly they would probally go unheard.
Edited by EsoxAddiction 8/4/2015 7:32 AM
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Posts: 38
| Took my brother to Canada 2 yrs ago and he forgot his passport at home.Canada had us go inside and they checked out my brothers information ,then let us go on in .20 minute delay. We thought our trouble would be getting back in states. upon return to states they looked at my passport and his drivers license and said have a good day. No delay |
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Posts: 9
| essox addiction, I went through exactly what you are going through last year. I had my local post office (paid extra)take the photo and help with application( you would think they would know the rules) I was going to expedite the application but was told there was no need because the passports were coming back typically in a few weeks, (I was also later told that you cannot expedite a passport "card" I could not get any answers from the number you call to check on it...they are basically a service that is farmed out to take calls and answer questions, NOT the actual passport authorities, they cannot tell you anything different than you can see yourself online. Our trip was delayed once(6 weeks later) and I ended up having to pay extra for the passport book, and the expedited fee(over a hundred extra bucks, can't recall the exact amount) ...The reason for the delay......I was wearing a camo t shirt....they said it was a military uniform. The chick at the post office should have known. Government at its finest. If I was you I would got to a service center if you could and deal direct with customs officials. good luck |
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Passport center questions