MP DAVE VAN KESTEREN SPONSORING PASSPORT CLINIC IN CHATHAM

September 08, 2009

Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent Essex Dave Van Kesteren has announced the next Passport Clinic to be held. Volunteers at the clinics help constituents complete the documentation and obtain the necessary photographs to apply for or renew passports.
 
This clinic, the final one to be held this year, is scheduled to take place in the Ballroom at the Wheels Inn on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 between the hours of 10am and 2pm. It was originally scheduled to take place on September 10 but has been rescheduled to the 22nd. A photographer will be available to take photos. The cost for the mandatory two pictures is payable in cash.

PLEASE NOTE THAT PASSPORTS ARE NOT ISSUED AT THIS CLINIC. Applications will be mailed to Passport Canada from the constituency office in Chatham at no charge the following Wednesday, September 30. This allows applicants several days to complete items outstanding from the clinic. Completed applications must be dropped at the Chatham Office, 6 King Street south  no later than 4pm on Tuesday, September 29 to catch the free mailing.

There will be staff on hand to distribute the required application forms to renew a current passport or apply for the first time. Adult applicants (over 15 years of age) pay $87.00. The costs for children are $37.00 (for a child 3 to 15 years of age) and $22.00 (for a child under 3 years old).

Payment must be included with your application by either certified cheque or money order payable to The Receiver General for Canada; or by major credit card (section on application to complete).

To speed up the process you may pick up an application at either the post office or Mr. Van Kesteren’s office in advance and have it completed prior to arrival. If you choose to complete the application at the clinic there will be staff on hand to help. You must bring with you a valid driver’s licence or health card. If you choose to mail in your application or have the MP’s office mail it you must also MAIL THE ORIGINAL OF YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR THE ORIGIGINAL OF YOUR PROOF OF CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP. New applicants need a guarantor who is a person with a valid passport and who has known you for at least two years and can identify you. There is a section on the application for the guarantor to complete. The guarantor must also sign one of your two passport pictures and a copy of your personal photo identification (driver’s licence or health card). If that person does not accompany you it will be necessary to have him/her complete the signatures afterwards.

Further information is available by contacting the Chatham constituency office (519-358-7555), by contacting the clinic coordinator Peter Roos (519-351-9733) or by visiting the web site:  www.davevankesteren.ca.