MP Dave Van Kesteren is pleased to announce that passport clinics are again being offered throughout the riding this year. On Thursday, August 25th a clinic will be held between the hours of 10am and 2pm at Glad Tidings Community Church, Highway 3 East in Blenheim.

Participants can pick up applications upon arrival at the clinic or can pick them up in advance at either a post office or the Chatham or Leamington office. Volunteers will be on hand to assist those needing help in completing their application and to check to make sure the application is fully completed before mailing. A photographer will be at the clinic to take passport photos and copying is available for any documents to be submitted. Passport photos cost $18.06 (including tax), payable in cash.

The cost of passports remains unchanged from past years. The costs are $87.00 for adults (16 years of age and older), $37.00 for children 3 to 15 years and $22.00 for children under 3 years. Payment can be made either by major credit card or certified cheque or money order payable to the Receiver General for Canada.

Please note that passports are NOT issued at these clinics. We provide mailing at the beginning of the week following the clinic. This allows participants several days to complete requirements if needed. In this case, applications received at the Chatham or Leamington Office by 4pm, Wednesday, August 31, will be mailed the following day. You will receive your passport in the mail within 20 business days of our mailing date.

Each applicant (with the exception of an adult renewal) requires a guarantor, any person who has known the applicant for a minimum of 2 years and has a valid Canadian passport. The guarantor is required to sign the back of one of the applicant’s passport photos and a copy of one piece of photo identification. There is a section within the application for the guarantor to complete and sign.

Any questions should be directed to either the Leamington Office at 519-326-9655 or the Chatham Office at 519-358-7555 or to the website www.davevankesteren.ca.