Indian Passport Renewal from BLS Toronto

[Wacky1.nash]

Follow up questions on Annexure E:

1. For the following: "I, ……………………… (name), son/daughter/wife of Shri ……………………… residing at …………………………….. Date of Birth ……………………… being an applicant for issue of passport, do hereby solemnly affirm and state the following:"
The name should me my new married name correct? I suppose I should be putting in my husband's name in the second blank (eye roll for the sexism). For the third blank, is that where my husband resides or me? I am guessing it is me, but the language is not clear.

2. For line item 1, I have the same question as previous forms of whether to put in my parents' full name or just given name.

3. For line item 2, (duration of stay at address), can I just put the duration at my current address which is less than a year?

4. Same question about what name to sign - maiden or married....

 

[Wacky1.nash]

I called BLS and received answers to my questions. Please see answers in red below in case it is useful for anyone else:

1. There is a field for visible distinguishing mark. Do I need to fill this or can I leave it blank. I think I put in something decades ago, but I don't remember and I am worried I will contradict what I mentioned before. Note - there is no asterisk against this field, so I have a feeling it is OK to leave blank. But these forms have proven counterintuitive before, hence my question.
Answer - It is OK to not answer but put in NA

2. There is a field for Adhaar card. I do not have one, so I need to leave it blank. There is no asterisk against this field, so I think it is OK. But right underneath this is a declaration giving my clearance to give passport authority access to my adhaar application. There are check boxes for yes or no whether I agree to give this clearance. This is not applicable to me as I do not have an adhaar card. Can I leave it unchecked?
Answer - Leave Adhaar Card blank and choose "no" for the statement.

3. For some reason my current passport only shows my parents first names. It doesn't show their last names, although I am very sure when I filled my application form several decades ago, I put in their last names. In any case, when I fill in the fields for parent's names now, can I put in their last names or do I need to give proof. The last name is the same as my maiden last name.
Answer - To avoid any issues, fill in the parents' name exactly same as in your current passport. If no last name in current passport, don't put in.

4. I am putting in my Canadian address as my "passport printable address" because it only makes sense (it's where I live). But the website is asking me if I am eligible to put in a foreign address. How do I check that I am? Note - I am providing a second Indian Address for the sake of police check.
Answer - As a PR one is eligible to put in Canadian address

5. I am changing my signature, so should I use my old or new signature to sign the form?
Answer - Use the new signature. Also submit a declaration letter addressed to the Consulate General of India, Toronto, with name, passport application number. Give reason for change of signature and give specimen of old and new signature.

6. How many passport photos do I need to submit with my application? (I am applying at Toronto). I understand it is 2? Does that count include the two photos that are posted on the application form and the personal particulars form?
Answer - Two passport photos required in total. Paste one on the application form and another on the personal particulars form.

7. I have a passport that expired in 2016, that has a US Visa which is still valid in it. My current passport valid until 2026 has a note "visa remain valid" which references it. I carry both passports when I travel to the States. Do I need to submit original of both my current and old passport?
Answer - No need to submit old passport. Visa will remain valid.

 

[Wacky1.nash]

Noting responses to my questions received from calling BLS in red incase it is useful for anyone else:

I am filling up the personal particulars form as required for passport renewal and have a few questions. Please note, I am applying for passport renewal to update my name (due to marriage) and add my spouse's name. At the same time I will need to update my signature (since my name changed) and update address (since no one I know lives at the address in my previous passport anymore). My questions are as follows:

1. For line item 1 (full name), I assume this should be my new married name. Correct?
Answer - Yes, state married name.

2. For line item 7a, 7b (Parent's names). For some reason my current passport only shows my parents first names. It doesn't show their last names, although I am very sure when I filled my application form several decades ago, I put in their last names. In any case, when I fill in the fields for parent's names do I put in the given names only and leave last name blank?
Answer - Leave last name blank. Names should be exactly the same as the current passport.

3. For line item 8(b) (Present Canadian Address), I haven't lived at my current Canadian Address for more than a year. So I understand I have to fill out line item 9. I only need to fill out my past address going back one year from present date, correct?
Answer - Yes.

4. For line item 9 (previous addresses if you haven't lived in the current address for continuously for the past year", the form says " Please furnish an additional set of PP Forms for each address with Police station." What is PP form? Personal Particulars form? This doesn't make sense. What do I need to do?
Answer - PP stands for personal particulars form, but you don't need to submit it. Sounds like it is a mistake for that statement to be there.

5. For line item 10, "References: Name and Address of two responsible persons in the applicant’s locality who can vouch for the applicant (In India)." Who can these people be? What is the definition of the word "locality?" Can it be my mother and my uncle who live at the address I am providing as permanent address in India in line item 8 (a)?
Answer - Yes.

6. For signature should I sign my new married name or maiden name?
Answer - Use the new signature. Also submit a declaration letter addressed to the Consulate General of India, Toronto, with name, passport application number. Give reason for change of signature and give specimen of old and new signature.

 

[Wacky1.nash]

Noting answers in red received from calling BLS incase it is helpful to anyone else:

Follow up questions on Annexure E:

1. For the following: "I, ……………………… (name), son/daughter/wife of Shri ……………………… residing at …………………………….. Date of Birth ……………………… being an applicant for issue of passport, do hereby solemnly affirm and state the following:"
The name should me my new married name correct? Answer: Yes. I suppose I should be putting in my husband's name in the second blank (eye roll for the sexism). Answer: Yes. For the third blank, is that where my husband resides or me? I am guessing it is me, but the language is not clear. Answer: It is my address.

2. For line item 1, I have the same question as previous forms of whether to put in my parents' full name or just given name.
Answer: Put in the names same as current passport.

3. For line item 2, (duration of stay at address), can I just put the duration at my current address which is less than a year?
Answer: Yes

4. Same question about what name to sign - maiden or married....
Answer - Use the new signature. Also submit a declaration letter addressed to the Consulate General of India, Toronto, with name, passport application number. Give reason for change of signature and give specimen of old and new signature.

 

[Wacky1.nash]

I just submitted my passport application.

I filled out the personal particulars form on the computer (on adobe acrobat DC) and then printed and signed. Is that OK? Or do they need it to be filled in by hand?

 

[Wrath]

Guys someone please help me out. I have sent my passport renewal application by purolator to bls Toronto. I was checking the status of application and it says my application is sent back due to incomplete documents. It says 1) Missing expired work permit and payment receipt. I have submitted my copr document and draft. Now they are asking expired work permit and payment receipt. Can someone help me how shd I proceed now. They never mentioned to provide any expired WP in checklist.

 

[Wacky1.nash]

My timeline so far (applying from Toronto):

- June 4 2021 - Purolator pick up of application
- June 7 2021 - Purolator delay due to "missed connection" lol
- June 8 2021 - Purolator delivery to BLS
- June 8 2021 - Tracking on BLS shows "In process"
- June 9 2021 - Tracking on BLS shows "Under Process In Transit from BLS Centre to Consulat General"
- June 9 2021 - Tracking on Passport Seva updated to - "Passport and Application Fee has been received. The same is under processing at Embassy/ Consulate"

So far getting processed faster than expected...

 

[canprofus]

Looks like they have stapled old and new passports together. Is it same for everyone?

Here is my timeline:

Minor passport renewal:

- May 17 - Application picked up by Purolator
- May 27 - Tracking on BLS shows in process
- May 28 - Tracking on BLS shows "Under Process In Transit from BLS Centre to Consulat General"
- May 29 - Tracking on Passport Seva updated to - "Passport and Application Fee has been received. The same is under processing at Embassy/ Consulate"
after couple of more status changes, in embassy site, finally it changed to passport has been printed on June 7
- June 8 - Ready to be dispatched
- June 9 - Purolator courier info
- June 10 - Delivered

 

[Tmad]

HI,
I have applied for passport renewal through walking service at bls back in April. I have been tracking my application through passport seva and bls tracking system.
Passportseva: "Passport has been printer"
BLS: " Processing at consulate"
Does anyone have the same situation, How long will it take from now?

 

[Wacky1.nash]

HI,
I have applied for passport renewal through walking service at bls back in April. I have been tracking my application through passport seva and bls tracking system.
Passportseva: "Passport has been printer"
BLS: " Processing at consulate"
Does anyone have the same situation, How long will it take from now?

The status at Passport Seva until it leaves the consulate is the more accurate one. BLS does not update the status to match the consulate. As I understand it, the next step would be dispatch for you, but I am not sure how long it would take from now until it is ready for your collection from BLS. If it is urgent for you, suggest you call BLS, but chances are they won't give you a reliable answer. So if it isn't urgent I would save yourself the trouble of dealing with that demon of an organisation, and just wait... the status will change eventually.

Just curious, which center did you apply at, North York or Brampton?

 

[smritikulkarni]

Hi Forum members,

Couple of questions related to my Passport renewal documentation in since BLS customer service is never available.

1) I am a Canadian PR. In the checklist provided for Toronto Jurisdiction, it is mentioned that "Landing paper/COPR – (mandatory to be submitted for PR cards issued without the immigration category on the back)" I became PR in Mar-2019 under CEC category and I can't find my COPR document. I can't see immigration category on the back of my PR card. If I find my COPR, can I send the copy of it? Would be really helpful if can share his/her experience.

2) As per the BLS website, I think I need to send a draft of CAD 103.40 (93 + 3 + 7.4) Can anyone confirm this amount?

Thanks in advance

 

[Wacky1.nash]

Hi Forum members,

Couple of questions related to my Passport renewal documentation in since BLS customer service is never available.

1) I am a Canadian PR. In the checklist provided for Toronto Jurisdiction, it is mentioned that "Landing paper/COPR – (mandatory to be submitted for PR cards issued without the immigration category on the back)" I became PR in Mar-2019 under CEC category and I can't find my COPR document. I can't see immigration category on the back of my PR card. If I find my COPR, can I send the copy of it? Would be really helpful if can share his/her experience.

2) As per the BLS website, I think I need to send a draft of CAD 103.40 (93 + 3 + 7.4) Can anyone confirm this amount?

Thanks in advance

1) Yes, a copy of COPR is sufficient
2) Yes. $103.40 is correct for the bank draft

 

[Tmad]

I

The status at Passport Seva until it leaves the consulate is the more accurate one. BLS does not update the status to match the consulate. As I understand it, the next step would be dispatch for you, but I am not sure how long it would take from now until it is ready for your collection from BLS. If it is urgent for you, suggest you call BLS, but chances are they won't give you a reliable answer. So if it isn't urgent I would save yourself the trouble of dealing with that demon of an organisation, and just wait... the status will change eventually.

Just curious, which center did you apply at, North York or Brampton?

North York location. Now at the BLS tracking it says "ready for dispatch". Hopefully I get the tracking number today

 

[sharp1]

Hi Forum members,

Couple of questions related to my Passport renewal documentation in since BLS customer service is never available.

1) I am a Canadian PR. In the checklist provided for Toronto Jurisdiction, it is mentioned that "Landing paper/COPR – (mandatory to be submitted for PR cards issued without the immigration category on the back)" I became PR in Mar-2019 under CEC category and I can't find my COPR document. I can't see immigration category on the back of my PR card. If I find my COPR, can I send the copy of it? Would be really helpful if can share his/her experience.

2) As per the BLS website, I think I need to send a draft of CAD 103.40 (93 + 3 + 7.4) Can anyone confirm this amount?

Thanks in advance

I wish I had seen this message before I sent my app in. Just got returned because of missing COPR. Didn't know had to send it since it is under the "If PR Card has expired, please submit the below documents". Didn't even bother looking in that section, ugh.

 

[Wacky1.nash]

Do one need to fill the document checklist and submit? I didn’t and I am worried my application will be returned.