How to apply from Canada

 

You need to send your completed passport application and documents to our Regional Passport Processing Centre in Washington DC, United States for processing.

We recommend that you print this page, so you can refer to it. Print

• Where to send
• How to send
• How much
• How to pay
• Delivery back to you
• Specific requirements
• Need more information
• Urgent travel
• Contact us
  

Where to send

Regional Passport Processing Centre, Washington DC

British Embassy
19 Observatory Circle N.W.
Washington DC 20008

How to send

We recommend that you send us your application by secure means such as registered post or a courier.  If using a courier to submit your application you should not pay for a return service as this covered by a separate fee charged by us - see below. 

By facilitation agent or company – not recommended
There are companies that will make the application on your behalf.  We do accept applications from these companies, but please note that none of these companies have access to any form of fast track service.  All applications are processed in strict date order from the date they were accepted by us.

Additionally, there have been instances where applying through such an agent or company has caused lengthy delays due to slowness in applying or in collection.  There are also some agencies that have been known not to physically make the application until some weeks after it has been lodged with them.  We will not speed up any application that has been delayed due to agency error or incompetence.

How much

Passport fees in the United States are:  
Adult passport
• 32-page passport - US$211
• 48 page passport - US$255
Child Passport
• Child passport (32 pages) - US$134
Courier Fee – Each customer will be required to pay a courier fee to cover the cost of the return of supporting documents from Washington DC and for the return of the passport from the UK.

Courier fee – US $33

How to pay

From 1 March 2012, we will not provide a receipt unless you have supporting documents to be returned or if you are applying at the counter or if you specifically ask for one.  If paying by credit card you can do this by using the tick box on the credit card mandate form or if you are paying by another method by making a note in the ‘other information’ section of your Passport Application form.  If you have no supporting documents to be returned and you request a receipt, you will need to pay the full courier fee for the return of supporting documents as well as the fee for sending your new passport from the UK.

You need to pay the correct fee in US Dollars when applying for your passport.

Methods of payment:

Personal cheques, certified personal cheques and cash are not accepted

Payments can be made by:

• Credit card (Mastercard/Visa) by completing the authorisation form.  Please advise your bank/credit card company that a payment will be taken from your account by this office.  Your credit card company may charge a transaction fee for this payment.
  
  
• Money orders, cashier or bankers certified cheques made payable to:

           BRITISH EMBASSY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT

If your credit card payment is declined, after three attempts, or money order is incorrect the application will be rejected and returned to you via USPS.  Please advise your bank/credit card company that a payment will be taken from your account by this office. Your credit card company may charge a transaction fee for this payment.

Please ensure that all money orders, cashier or bankers certified cheques purchased, have an affiliated bank in the US.  The details of the US affiliate bank should be printed on the payment by the issuing bank.

Delivery back to you

Your passport will be dispatched to you from the UK. Where appropriate, your supporting documents will be sent back to you from the Passport Processing Centre. Both shipments are handled by DHL Worldwide.

DHL advise that delivery of supporting documentation should take one to two working days from dispatch from the British Embassy in Washington DC. Delivery of your passport will take up to three working days from UK dispatch.

DHL aim to deliver packages direct to customers or to diplomatic missions.  However, for some areas this may not be possible.  In such circumstances, DHL will contact you directly during working hours to arrange for you to collect your documents from the nearest DHL office or to provide an alternative delivery address.  You should ensure that up to date, correct contact details are included with the passport application form. When collecting documents, you will be required to bring photo identification that matches the name on the shipment.

Specific requirements from Canada

Translations:

All foreign legal documents submitted with a passport application (such as birth/death/marriage certificates, divorce papers, change of name documents, affidavits, etc) must be translated into English by an officially recognized translator.  You can find a list of officially recognised translators on the country's main website.  Translations made by a friend or relative are not acceptable.

Need more information

If you need detailed information about what type of passport you need, what documents you need to supply for different types of application please go to What passport do I need? page

Urgent Travel:

If you need to travel urgently and your normal passport is not available you should contact your nearest consular office. They may be able to provide you with emergency travel documentation.  Please note they will not be able to answer general passport questions or give information on passport applications in progress (as they are no longer involved in this process).  You should only contact them if you have a need to travel urgently and you will be asked to supply evidence of your need.

Contact Us:

If you cannot find the information you need on the website, you can contact the Careline Passport Information Line at +44 208 082 4721 (Credit Card Line - calls will be charged at £0.72 per minute plus VAT). +1 900 945 2220 for the USA, calls will be charged at USD 2.50 per minute and +1 900 783 5791 for Canada, calls will be charged at CAD 3.00 per minute. This line is open from 21:00 on Sundays (UK Time) to 01:30 on Saturdays (24 hour service).  Please be aware that you will be charged for this call so try the website first.
For customers with hearing difficulties, a Text phone service is available by contacting +44 1750 725 368.
Please do not contact us before the expected processing/delivery time as detailed above.  We will not be able to give further information and you will be charged for this call.

If you feel that you have not received a high level of service from the Passport Information Helpline please email ukpassportserviceUSAcanada@careline-services.co.uk