trini passports

[kemist]

I heard to renew your passport, you have to :
reach by the office in POS at 3am just to line up to get a form. And this takes almost half day! :o
If you can fill it out entirely over there, then great, but if you have to take it home to get relevant endorsers to sign etc, then when you return another day, it has to be for 3 am again.

This is what i've heard from a couple of people and i was wondering if its true.

[serenity]

Is true. But if u have a hook-up, pm meh nah and help meh out. I eh able with that 3am drama.

I think the office opens at 5am. But u can go anytime before 4pm to pick up the relevant forms that needs to be filled out beforehand. Do u have your new birth certificate? I heard that they were accepting the old one but when I went to collect my forms, there was a lady there who was seeing real stress bec she didnt have the new birth certificate. So ah waiting for mine to reach in the mail. Then I hope to be at the pp office bright and early Ash Wed. :lol:

[bluenote492000]

Yup so true. I have to renew my passport and not looking forward to it :evil: Yeah you would think someone would start giving appointments but that would actually involve someone thinking! Let the suffering begin.

[Jenny]

my mom has to renew hers and they told her she needed a new birth paper. and it will take 21 days for her to get the new passport....
could you reserve a flight while waiting for yuh new one to come through??

[Solachica]

In sando I heard people going from 4am.
Some one went 6am and numbers were all given out. He went back 430am and got #100

If u can just go in places tht wud have less people.

[Jenny]

my mother say she was going to sangre grande.

[cocoa]

Somebody posted the url below on how to obtain all government forms, from bith-cert to passport forms Online. All you have to do is download the forms and print them out. If the url don't work use parts of it to get to the site and get what you want. Hopefully this will save you a whole bunch of overhead.

http://ttconnect.gov.tt/Egov/Portal/citizen/service.aspx?id=

[BW]

Somebody posted the url below on how to obtain all government forms, from bith-cert to passport forms Online. All you have to do is download the forms and print them out. If the url don't work use parts of it to get to the site and get what you want. Hopefully this will save you a whole bunch of overhead.

http://ttconnect.gov.tt/Egov/Portal/citizen/service.aspx?id=

Hrm, so you can get the forms there, but you still would have to go to the office (line up at 3am), to pay the fee and get it processed?

bah, hambug.

[cocoa]

Somebody posted the url below on how to obtain all government forms, from bith-cert to passport forms Online. All you have to do is download the forms and print them out. If the url don't work use parts of it to get to the site and get what you want. Hopefully this will save you a whole bunch of overhead.

http://ttconnect.gov.tt/Egov/Portal/citizen/service.aspx?id=

Hrm, so you can get the forms there, but you still would have to go to the office (line up at 3am), to pay the fee and get it processed?

bah, hambug.

Breadwinner, if you go to the Site and read the step by step instructions it tell you what you have to do to make it easier. First you download the form then print it out fill it out and mail it in with the right fees. It even list the address where to mail it.

[BW]

Somebody posted the url below on how to obtain all government forms, from bith-cert to passport forms Online. All you have to do is download the forms and print them out. If the url don't work use parts of it to get to the site and get what you want. Hopefully this will save you a whole bunch of overhead.

http://ttconnect.gov.tt/Egov/Portal/citizen/service.aspx?id=

Hrm, so you can get the forms there, but you still would have to go to the office (line up at 3am), to pay the fee and get it processed?

bah, hambug.

Breadwinner, if you go to the Site and read the step by step instructions it tell you what you have to do to make it easier. First you download the form then print it out fill it out and mail it in with the right fees. It even list the address where to mail it.

I saw the instructions and got to the forms and all that (on this page (http://immigration.gov.tt/applicationloader.asp?app=articles&id=730)), but I don't see any address where you could mail it.

[kemist]

thanks , i got the forms at the immigration division of T&T website, but i see the forms were last updated on 10/11/2004. It consists of 4 pages.

when i googled t&t passport forms, the first option was ttmissions.com website, which also has the forms online, but was only 2 pages. Clearly thats out of date.

so i was wondering if that 4 page form is the right one, or is there an updated version since 2004 available online.

[serenity]

The form that asks for u to put in your PIN is the correct form.
The PIN is the number on your new birth certificate i think.

[Scorpio]

So wait, yuh have to have a new birth certificate to get this new PP ?

[serenity]

They've sent out advisories last year saying u dont have to have the new pp. But it seems that u may have some probs at the office if u dont.

[vaio]

i have to go renew my pp but i heard that the lines are still very long.....the new birth cert.....will make the process faster but it is not absolutely necessary.....some ppl stand in line and if you pay them you can get the spot....they go there to hold spots and get paid for it.... :|

[snowbird]

Something wrong with passport plan-minister
(source Trinidad Express Friday, February 8th 2008)

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl ... =161275106 (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161275106)


Juhel Browne jbrowne

SOME 2,000 machine readable passports are ready and waiting to be collected as many of those seeking to acquire new passports are lining up from as early 3 a.m. outside the Immigration Division headquarters in Port of Spain to apply for them.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph made the disclosure yesterday as he acknowledged that the existing system for the application and distribution of the machine readable passports is just not working.

"Something is wrong in the way in which we are doing our business and we are going to be addressing that," Joseph said.

He did so in response to questions from the Express on the issue during yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall, Port of Spain.

He said that the machine readable passports have special "security checks" that require all applicants to go to the location where the applications are processed.

At this time, the only such location for nationals living in Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere around the world is at the Immigration Division's headquarters in Port of Spain.

Joseph said that some nationals who live abroad and returned for the Carnival season had sought to take advantage of their trip to apply for the machine readable passports and this made a bad situation even worse.

"We hear people coming to Immigration three o'clock in the morning, etc, and we have attempted to put some things in place but you know while that is happening at my last count, there were at least 2,000 machine readable passports for people to pick them up. So something is wrong," Joseph said. He later said that the issue may not just be the fault of the Government.

"We Trinidadians are a very strange people and I am saying that within the context that given the pressure with machine readable passports, we have still have 200 passports prepared and ready for people to pick up. So we need to strike a balance," he said.

Asked how could this occur? Joseph said, "That's the question."

He said that the Government, "has not yet implemented the ability" for the application and distribution of machine readable passports either in the United Kingdom nor in the United States nor in Canada.

The Express asked Joseph why the Government did not expand the machine readable passport application and distribution system outside of Trinidad and Tobago.

"We first of all had to start here in Trinidad," Joseph said, adding that the Government could not "short circuit the process."

.....psssst, psssst Martin come closer, ah want tuh tell yuh someting.

JUST GO TO EXTENDED HOURS UNTIL THE BACKLOG IS CLEARED. :roll:

My God, if people are lining up from 3:00 in the morning why are you having them wait? Simply open the offices at that hour, for a little while, until you backlog is cleared. Yes, you may have to pay some over time, but Lord, I am sure it is costing those people who have to stand up there every day hoping to get looked after :roll:

Martin haven't you heard " No pain, no gain" :roll: lawd fadder

[brag]

But what does it say about 2,000 people who may have lined up to apply for their passports, and never returned to pick them up.

The government should deliver them via courier service like they now do with the new birth certificates, but include the costs of such services in the application fees.

[Silky]

In Sando yuh have to go by 3 am to get a decent number.

I think everyone has to get the new passport by 2010.

There was an appointment system at Sando I believe but not anymore cuz ppl never showed up on time for their appointment.

[snowbird]

But what does it say about 2,000 people who may have lined up to apply for their passports, and never returned to pick them up.

The government should deliver them via courier service like they now do with the new birth certificates, but include the costs of such services in the application fees.

I think I read somewhere that there is some sort of signature requirement :?:

[vaio]

we can't be a developing nation if i have to stand in line at 3am with my 3yr old son...and still not assured of getting a number.... :roll:

[KFCSpicy]

Just because people not showing up for their appointments is no reason to cancel the appointment system. If that person has not shown up then just ask the next person in line to step up. What is the drama here?

Where are the 2000 people whose passports are ready? What will happen to me when mine expire in October 2009? I have to travel to Trinidad to get a new one? They is arse or marbles in Trinidad? :evil: Add to the cost of applying, the time away from work, the cost of a ticket and all other minor expenses on me that is soooooooooooooo not frigging happening eh!

They better sort their 4th world shi... out soon for those living over seas.

[snowbird]

What is obvious here is that the 'powers that be' who make these decisions are not think things through. Trinidadians per capita are probably one of the most travelled people.

When the Government made it mandatory that travellers get, and use the new passport, didn't they anticipate that there would be a 'spike' in the number of applicants? seeing that part of the process involves a visit to one of the offices, did they not expect an increase in the amount of people coming to the office, and 'ramped up' to accommodate the increased workload?

How on earth can you change a national policy, mandate that the citizens comply, then do nothing effective to facilitate a smooth transition? :roll:

I really feel sorry for the 'front line' customer service people who will ultimately take the brunt of the ire of frustrated customers.

[guyguy]

He said that the Government, "has not yet implemented the ability" for the application and distribution of machine readable passports either in the United Kingdom nor in the United States nor in Canada.
It is this kinda bullsh!t, backward thinking that will finally, after 36 years, force me to become a US citizen. Every T&T consulate in the World should have the capability to issue passports just as they currently have the ability to renew them.

[brag]

I wonder if there may be a problem with the printers of the passports. I have a feeling that they were ordered from some foreign country. Who knows how many other countries placed orders for passports with the same printers.

[dancerboy]

My passport expired last year, and it's so much trouble to get another one. I have decided to use my US passport, and forget about renewing my TRINIDAD passport. Also my wife is in TRINIDAD. She took her TRINIDAD passport to see what's the procedure to obtain dual citizenship. She was told that she has to bring her US citizenship papers. My wife and i obtained our citizenship, after it was lawful for us to have dual citizenship. We were not required to renounce our TRINIDAD citizenship. Therefore we should not have to regain our TRINIDAD citizenship.

DANCERBOY

[KFCSpicy]

I wonder if there may be a problem with the printers of the passports. I have a feeling that they were ordered from some foreign country. Who knows how many other countries placed orders for passports with the same printers.


If you have a business that cannot cope with the demand of your customers yuh should not make things harder for them by claiming yuh cud deliver. I do not think is the printers or producers of said passports that is the problem, I firmly believe is the wutless Trini behaviour in effect again.

I eh like Dancer and Guy so I have no choice but to renew my stuff. Sodding Trini government and they wonder why normal thinking people cyah stand them? :evil:

[guyguy]

I eh like Dancer and Guy so I have no choice but to renew my stuff. Sodding Trini government and they wonder why normal thinking people cyah stand them? :evil:Well, I in the same boat as you since I am not a citizen of the USA, just T&T. So it looks like I'll be spending buco bucks going to T&T to get a new Passport. Hopefully, the uproar that will emmanate from foreign T&T nationals will spur the government to get off its ass and do something to serve its citizens who live abroad. What about those old and infirmed people who cannot return to T&T? Will they then be people without a country?

[vaio]

^^that's wishful thinking....most ppl passports will expired in 2008/2009....the rush will hopefully subside after that...sigh.

[Mivo]

Does one have to travel to T'dad to renew the passport or can you renew it via the T&T embassy you residing in?

[KFCSpicy]

Miv you living in an Embassy? :? Wow yuh tail lucky...hee hee hee.

Ok seriously tho...I think it was stated that they don't have the passport thingee anywhere else but Trinidad for now, but as Vi optimistically said maybe by next year it would have settled and been sorted out.

[vaio]

K....i want to travel in July...and my pp already expired.. :| ...i cyar wait until 2009 :(

[guyguy]

K....i want to travel in July...and my pp already expired.. :| ...i cyar wait until 2009 :(
Wey yuh livvin?

[vaio]

lol...in T&T. :|

[KFCSpicy]

She tail in Trini and she stressing. But Vi ah thought someone else posted the link for the online passport application? Why yuh doh try it and see if it feasible hun and get yuhself started.

[vaio]

K that link is of a form which is not updated..... :| ...and even when i get a form....the office is like 10mins walk from here.....i still have to join the line at 3am...cause my son has to get his pp as well....he as well as us need to take the pic there. :|

[guyguy]

K that link is of a form which is not updated..... :| ...and even when i get a form....the office is like 10mins walk from here.....i still have to join the line at 3am...cause my son has to get his pp as well....he as well as us need to take the pic there. :|
Yuh mean dey have ah outdated form on de website? Laawwwddd fadda! It go take about ah hour to put up the correct forms and remove theold ones. What is wrong with these people? They need to take some lessons from the T&T Consulate in Washington, DC. Those people are the best. They so efficient, ah bet they doh have to work more than half day every day. I cannot give them enough praise and thanks. Everytime I've had to deal with them, they've been kind, gracious, helpful and efficient. God bless those people oui.

Just imagine; I send my Passport via overnight delivery to Washington for an extension, along with an overnight return envelope, and by 10am on Thursday morning, I have my passport. How's that for top notch efficiency?

[KFCSpicy]

Damn efficient if u ask me Guy...to the point where I feel is not Trinis working there. :?

[guyguy]

Damn efficient if u ask me Guy...to the point where I feel is not Trinis working there. :?
Nah. They're Trinis. The first person I dealt with many years ago was a Mrs. Bartholomew ... one of the sweetest, most courteous and helpful people I've ever had the pleasure to deal with but I think she's no longer there. This time I dealt with a Mr. Benjamin. He too was just as nice and helpful as Mrs. Bartholomew.

[vaio]

guy...K....send some of them ppl to work here nah...i might get meh pp to go on meh honeymoon...

[KFCSpicy]

Well that is rare for embassy staff of Trini descent. I believe we polite eh but that efficient? Nah sorry I am totally not sure.

I had a nightmare when I went home in 2006 and had to go get a document in Ministry of Foreign Affairs. de oman say she on lunch she eh helping and walking past me and another girl at reception. So I had to ask she rude ass if de government eh paying she lunch hour? Why it eh have no one wukking whilst she on lunch? She had the nerve to say she on lunch and she doh wuk on she lunch hour. Fair... but where and why it doh have nobody in de office to cover?

She was most annoyed. But she never meet El Biatcho like me. So in the end I got served by a very annoyed team member who had to leave she lunch to serve me the public. :shock: This losers does kill me wid their complacent lackahdaisical behaviour towards service.


Vi poor pookie...just try and call them and ask when they updating the website and if there is an alternative way to get access.

[vaio]

i am rellllllllll laffing here....K yuh ever tried callin a gov't agency here... :| ....i think i gonna use my connections and get meh pp....i ent able with the drama nah. :x

[KFCSpicy]

i eh have de belly for that Vi but I agree wid yuh that yuh shud use de lil contacts yuh have.

[dancerboy]

Damn efficient if u ask me Guy...to the point where I feel is not Trinis working there. :?
Nah. They're Trinis. The first person I dealt with many years ago was a Mrs. Bartholomew ... one of the sweetest, most courteous and helpful people I've ever had the pleasure to deal with but I think she's no longer there. This time I dealt with a Mr. Benjamin. He too was just as nice and helpful as Mrs. Bartholomew. In situations like these i usually write their managers, and let them know what effecient and courteous service i recieved. Because when i get lousy service i complain. I am sure you did communicate you satisfaction with their service.

DANCERBOY

[vaio]

Some Good News:

The Min has finally decided to put the appointment system in place...this shld start Mid March or early April...but they are saying that this will happen, provided that they get more staff...

Also the Chaguanas and Point Fortin Offices are scheduled to be re-opened...not sure when though...

[snowbird]

See what ah tell allyuh :o
keep postin oui, ah kno dem people in de Goberment doz be readin wat we sayin :lol:
ah cud jus hear dem now....."Oh Gorm, hear wat dem people in Foreign sayin bout we; look leh we get we act togedder before dem Trinis start using the 'KFCSpicy approach' tuh geh better customer service :lol:

[TRVC]

Well, I made an appointment today - 4 June 2008 - to renew my passport. Called 669-4MRP. On hold for a while, but at least they have a modern system that tells you how many people are in the queue ahead of you. I started as # 18 in the queue. After a good wait I got a pleasant lady on the line who scheduled an appointment for me.

Guess when. 15 December 2008 !! More than 6 months after today !!!

I really don't know what to think. On the one hand we finally get some progress with a modern scheduling system. On the other hand this now clearly demonstrates how hopelessly FUBAR the overall system is. 6 months to wait for the renewal of a passport I already have. This should be a 5 minute transaction. Is this a failed state or what?

[Solachica]

If you had to go start lining up at 3am you wudda still be complaining :?

:roll:

Ever went for a US visa? you wud go thru same appointment system, ever complained?
When US embassy had people lining up in hot sun or rain people complained? People still wait outside now to.

[amzz]

Guess when. 15 December 2008 !! More than 6 months after today !!!



I hope that the number of Trinbagonians with this reaction is few. After all what did you really expect from such a system?

[lexbarker]

Well, I made an appointment today - 4 June 2008 - to renew my passport. Called 669-4MRP. On hold for a while, but at least they have a modern system that tells you how many people are in the queue ahead of you. I started as # 18 in the queue. After a good wait I got a pleasant lady on the line who scheduled an appointment for me.

Guess when. 15 December 2008 !! More than 6 months after today !!!

I really don't know what to think. On the one hand we finally get some progress with a modern scheduling system. On the other hand this now clearly demonstrates how hopelessly FUBAR the overall system is. 6 months to wait for the renewal of a passport I already have. This should be a 5 minute transaction. Is this a failed state or what?
I renewed my Canadian passport recently. I dropped in the office on a Thursday, tell them I will be travelling soon and got it on the Tuesday on special delivery, less than 4 working days. I was expecting a minimum of 2 weeks but it looks like I am not in their bad books as yet.

[Falcon]

A member of my family sent their passport for renewal via post to the Trinidad and Tobago consulate in London . Sent on Monday. Received the passport back in the mail, renewed, on Thursday of the same week.

[Scorpio]

I am actually considering breaking one of my golden rules and pulling strings to get my MR passport, because it takes so damn long, and I can't be in TRinidad too long.

[TRVC]

A member of my family sent their passport for renewal via post to the Trinidad and Tobago consulate in London . Sent on Monday. Received the passport back in the mail, renewed, on Thursday of the same week.
You know, that's what I used to do when I lived outside Trinidad. Had it renewed by mail at the British High Commission. No hassle, and reasonably quick.

Going back to my earlier post, I want to emphasize that it's a renewal I'm talking about. Not a new passport where they never heard of me before. Just trade in the old one for a new one. All my information should be on file already. All they need is a new photo and good to go. Why on earth should this take 6 months?

Referring to the comment that the USA makes us wait for visas: there is a difference. In their case you are asking for a privilege, and they can let us line up like the ******s they probably think we are as much as they want. When it's our own government, however, the matter is entirely different. I am not asking for a privilege. Getting my passport is a right, and I should expect it to be handled smoothly. (Yeah, I'm naive.)

[syxxi-fux]

When I visited T&t in late 2006 I got my new birth certificate. :) The only thing is when I got my new pp I realized that my father's middle name was missing :x (b4 I left the office) when I brought it to the employee's attention he told me that it didn't matter. :x After waiting all day for the so and so thing they didn't even print it out correctly. :x I showed them my old bp and it was like I didn't show them anything at all. :x I still have my old one though. My whole thing is, if my father's middle name was important to go on the old bp, why isn't it just as important to go on the new one :?: My pp doesn't expire until 2010. :) I have some time b4 I have to deal with the whole waiting in the line thing. :)

[dancerboy]

I am actually considering breaking one of my golden rules and pulling strings to get my MR passport, because it takes so damn long, and I can't be in TRinidad too long. So you do have strings to pull ? LUCKY YOU ! HEAVEN HELP THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE STRINGS TO PULL. AH guess to get things done in T&T, you either have to be ah string-puller, or ah stringpullee. Someday, somebody go get tied up with all dis string-pulling taking place.


DANCERBOY

[Eden]

I heard to renew your passport, you have to :
reach by the office in POS at 3am just to line up to get a form. And this takes almost half day! :o
If you can fill it out entirely over there, then great, but if you have to take it home to get relevant endorsers to sign etc, then when you return another day, it has to be for 3 am again.

This is what i've heard from a couple of people and i was wondering if its true.


Ooh, it's TRUE!!! It's truly, TRULY ridiculous!

[amzz]

I heard to renew your passport, you have to :
reach by the office in POS at 3am just to line up to get a form. And this takes almost half day! :o
If you can fill it out entirely over there, then great, but if you have to take it home to get relevant endorsers to sign etc, then when you return another day, it has to be for 3 am again.

This is what i've heard from a couple of people and i was wondering if its true.


Ooh, it's TRUE!!! It's truly, TRULY ridiculous!


seriously? :o

[Eden]

recently when I was there they were talking about hiring more employees so the process will not take as long etc...steups...utter craziness!

[Aurea]

Don't know if anybody has metioned the fact that u can now make an appointment to get an interview for ur passpaort.Ur pass port must be expiring to get this appointment eh(and some other reasons that I don't know). Once u have made this appointment u don't have to get to any passport office at an on Godly hour and wait forever. I can't remember the number right now, will post sometime. U call, have some form of id, it takes awhile for someone to eventually get to u, u give ur name, where u'd prefer ur interview to be held e.g. grande, sando ect. They will give u the closest date for an interview( I called last month mine is in july) and a confirmation number. I hope it goes smoothly, I have had enough horrors with this darn thing already. If they give meh trouble this time, I just hope I eh loose it. Well I guess I eh travellin any time soon.


Aurea

[vaio]

I am actually considering breaking one of my golden rules and pulling strings to get my MR passport, because it takes so damn long, and I can't be in TRinidad too long.

can you share those strings.... :mrgreen:

[JPersad]

He said that the Government, "has not yet implemented the ability" for the application and distribution of machine readable passports either in the United Kingdom nor in the United States nor in Canada.
It is this kinda bullsh!t, backward thinking that will finally, after 36 years, force me to become a US citizen. Every T&T consulate in the World should have the capability to issue passports just as they currently have the ability to renew them.
About time !
Why do we need a new Birth certificate if we are only renewing our expired passport ?
Common sense should dictate as long as you can provide your old passport , then you can apply for a new passport with haing to get a new birth certificate .

[Eden]

I am actually considering breaking one of my golden rules and pulling strings to get my MR passport, because it takes so damn long, and I can't be in TRinidad too long.

can you share those strings.... :mrgreen:


INDEED!! :D

[SSDD]

the number is 669-4677

[Aurea]

He said that the Government, "has not yet implemented the ability" for the application and distribution of machine readable passports either in the United Kingdom nor in the United States nor in Canada.
It is this kinda bullsh!t, backward thinking that will finally, after 36 years, force me to become a US citizen. Every T&T consulate in the World should have the capability to issue passports just as they currently have the ability to renew them.
About time !
Why do we need a new Birth certificate if we are only renewing our expired passport ?
Common sense should dictate as long as you can provide your old passport , then you can apply for a new passport with haing to get a new birth certificate .


JPersad I totally agree - why it seems these ppl want us to "prove" we are trinis? Atleast that's what I feel about this nonsense sometimes. If u already have a passport and u just want to get it renewed cause it expire - just give ppl d damn thing nah!!


Aurea

[Solachica]

There are always options. If allyuh vex abt stress in renewing TnT passport then give it up and you wount have to go thru it all again. Use allyuh US passport etc and forget abt the TnT one.

[dancerboy]

There are always options. If allyuh vex abt stress in renewing TnT passport then give it up and you wount have to go thru it all again. Use allyuh US passport etc and forget abt the TnT one.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I DID. Because if you cruise a lot, you need a visa to visit some countries if you are not a US citizen. BRAZIL is one such country. And when i went to the world cup soccer in GERMANY, you needed a visa, if you were not a US citizen.

DANCERBOY

[brag]

I guess the issuance of new computerized birth certificates in order to obtain new machine readable passports is a way of eliminating all kinds of fraudulent birth certificates that were used for obtaining fraudulent passports in the past. It may be a way of cleaning up the mess that existed in the issuance of passports before. Besides, the system may be intended to make it more difficult to issue multiple passports to the same holder. But, who knows how many people are already trying to figure out how to beat the system, and secure many passports for promoting terrorism on a global scale.

[trinidadobserved]

I heard to renew your passport, you have to :
reach by the office in POS at 3am just to line up to get a form. And this takes almost half day! :o
If you can fill it out entirely over there, then great, but if you have to take it home to get relevant endorsers to sign etc, then when you return another day, it has to be for 3 am again.

This is what i've heard from a couple of people and i was wondering if its true.If you want an American passport, you can just saunter into any post office over there around mid-morning, and they will help you fix up.
You get the passport within two to four weeks if I am not mistaken.

And if you want it faster, you can make an appointment (over the phone; even at Christmas time you can get an appointment as near as two days away) at special federal offices in major cities (Like Boston and NY), and you can get a new passport in your hand within two hours of your appointment.

2020 indeed!

"First World" is a state of mind; not the presence of tall buildings.

[deeva]

I heard to renew your passport, you have to :
reach by the office in POS at 3am just to line up to get a form. And this takes almost half day! :o
If you can fill it out entirely over there, then great, but if you have to take it home to get relevant endorsers to sign etc, then when you return another day, it has to be for 3 am again.

This is what i've heard from a couple of people and i was wondering if its true.If you want an American passport, you can just saunter into any post office over there around mid-morning, and they will help you fix up.
You get the passport within two to four weeks if I am not mistaken.

And if you want it faster, you can make an appointment (over the phone; even at Christmas time you can get an appointment as near as two days away) at special federal offices in major cities (Like Boston and NY), and you can get a new passport in your hand within two hours of your appointment.

2020 indeed!

"First World" is a state of mind; not the presence of tall buildings.

HAHA so NOT true , try SIX WEEKS to get a US passport

[lexbarker]

I heard to renew your passport, you have to :
reach by the office in POS at 3am just to line up to get a form. And this takes almost half day! :o
If you can fill it out entirely over there, then great, but if you have to take it home to get relevant endorsers to sign etc, then when you return another day, it has to be for 3 am again.

This is what i've heard from a couple of people and i was wondering if its true.If you want an American passport, you can just saunter into any post office over there around mid-morning, and they will help you fix up.
You get the passport within two to four weeks if I am not mistaken.

And if you want it faster, you can make an appointment (over the phone; even at Christmas time you can get an appointment as near as two days away) at special federal offices in major cities (Like Boston and NY), and you can get a new passport in your hand within two hours of your appointment.

2020 indeed!

"First World" is a state of mind; not the presence of tall buildings.

HAHA so NOT true , try SIX WEEKS to get a US passport

You must be on the "suspect" list?

[travelbug]

I have no idea what anyone is talking about! I never had that worry and I never will, amen and thank god.

Someone said Sangre Grande, which I believe is better. But if you passport is expiring within 6 months, by all means go line up. If not, get outta the line!! You can also apply for an extension up to one year.

[Solachica]

They going reopen Point Fortin office and one Chaguanas.
Tht shud redirect traffic from Sando etc.
I wonder if Point Fortin wud be opening everyday becos before it was only a Tuesday.

I think wht is happening is like with the new birthpaper. Many people in rush to get it. Many people who not even going travel rushing for passport

[SSDD]

Many people in rush to get it. Many people who not even going travel rushing for passport
exactly sola which is part of why alot f people are getting so much trouble to even make an appointment or why people now have to wait so long. the other hand is that immigration is severly understaffed and cannot process more than they are right now. reopening those offices can only happen when the man power is available

[Scorpio]

ok, what is the real deal here, I coming TNT for a visit next month and I want to take the opportunity to renew my PP.

What's the procedure, I am hearing that getting an appointment takes 6 months ? Is this so, and if it is are there exceptions in place for people like me or is it that I have to pull dem strings I talked about earlier ?

[TRVC]

OK, so I called yesterday to get a new appointment to renew my passport. I already had one scheduled in December, but I will be out of the country then. (Thank God I have a second passport.) Lady told me I cannot reschedule, but have to make new appointment. She never asked my about my existing appointment, so I assume they don't care that I will not show up and that somebody else could use that time slot. New appointment was for .... (wait for it) .... 19 October 2009.

Yes you read correctly. More than a year from now.

I think William Lucie-Smith wrote in the newspaper that at current issue rates it will take the passport office 7 years to renew all existing passport. However, those passports, that take 7 years to be renewed, will expire in 5 years. At current rates, therefore, the passport office will never, ever, be able to supply everyone with a renewed passport.

I think the logical conclusion is that if you want a new passport you will have to pull strings somewhere, because regular procedures cannot work.

A practical question I have is if anyone knows if it makes a difference where you apply. The appointment I got for next year October was because I asked for Port of Spain. Does anyone know if you can get an earlier appointment at another location; or what the best location is?

[OLTL]

Once around 11 in the night I passed in front of the passport office and there were two sets of people sitting on beach chairs right outside the office. :shock: :o :?

They didn't wait for 3 in the morning to go line up. LOL

[Solachica]

When you were making the appt u cud have asked them for nearest date and where.
People going Point and Grande etc.

2 wks after Point Fortin office opened I called and got appt for later this mth.
But if you call now I heard someone say they got for next year already.

[Hyena]

I keep checking the office in Toronto in hopes that they have started doing it up here to make things easier for myself. However, as it does not look hopeful, I made an appointment at home and the nearest date I could get was June 2009.

[Solachica]

I had my appt last week. It taking 2mths to get your PP now.
I think it was 6wks earlier.

and for those who wear glasses you gotta take off your glasses to take your pic.
and for those who wear multiple earrings, you gotta take them off since you can only have on 1 pair for the pic :roll: .

For those who wasting time and not getting their appt, for a place like Point Fortin appts already reached Sept 2009 so no telling where places like Sando reach. :?

[sapodila]

Geez! That mean plenty peeps grounded for a while hmmm!

[Solachica]

Geez! That mean plenty peeps grounded for a while hmmm!
You cud still travel with old PP as long as it not expired. Remember everyone cud go for new PP now it doesnt have to be expired.

[robsurrey]

This is so strange.

Is it because people are panicking and leaving it last minute or is it because people don't fundamentally trust that the system will deal with their requirements quickly and efficiently or is this a reflection of the actual inefficiency of the service?



I heard to renew your passport, you have to :
reach by the office in POS at 3am just to line up to get a form. And this takes almost half day! :o
If you can fill it out entirely over there, then great, but if you have to take it home to get relevant endorsers to sign etc, then when you return another day, it has to be for 3 am again.

This is what i've heard from a couple of people and i was wondering if its true.

[greall]

It's a mixture of panic and inefficiency.

I called the number and got an appointment in less than 10 minutes for two weeks after.I went in at the scheduled time with ALL of the requested documents,got my passport within a week and I pulled no strings

I was listening to one of the officers there complain about people not bringing the necessary documents and a box of passports which remain uncollected nearly six months after they were issued so I'm led to believe that this miss is the fault of both the citizen and the system.

Greg

[robsurrey]

Very interesting thanks for that.

I am sure you are right actually.

If people don't bring the right documents then how can they process their application properly? Sounds to me that people aren't sure or clear about what they need to bring or they simply don't have the right documents then panic about booked travel. Correct me if I wrong.

Does the service provide good checklists for what people need to provide and the right offices to contact if they don't have a particular document like the new birth certificate?

Preumably renewals are a simple matter or have the got to go through the entire process like if they were applying from scratch? That would be an inefficiency.


It's a mixture of panic and inefficiency.

I called the number and got an appointment in less than 10 minutes for two weeks after.I went in at the scheduled time with ALL of the requested documents,got my passport within a week and I pulled no strings

I was listening to one of the officers there complain about people not bringing the necessary documents and a box of passports which remain uncollected nearly six months after they were issued so I'm led to believe that this miss is the fault of both the citizen and the system.

Greg

[Solachica]

Greall how u getting your PP in a wk? Was tht recently?
Which office was tht?

[Solachica]

and for those who wear multiple earrings, you gotta take them off since you can only have on 1 pair for the pic :roll: .

Well, seems different people who taking pic tell u diff things becos my cousin said she didn't have to remove her earrings. :roll:

[Solachica]

Yes they have checklists.

Also you gotta have your form endorsed by someone and have the appt so its not like you can go anyday and collect a form and get thru.

I don't think people have to go 3am to collect a form.

[hassanvoyeau]

Yes they have checklists.

Also you gotta have your form endorsed by someone and have the appt so its not like you can go anyday and collect a form and get thru.

I don't think people have to go 3am to collect a form.

Also please make sure that the names on your application, old passport, ID, birth paper all match EXACTLY. A simple thing like a missing dash on one and not the other will cause you some problems.

[greall]

Greall how u getting your PP in a wk? Was tht recently?
Which office was tht?

I went to San Fernando.

[Solachica]

Wonder if its bcos I went Point. Becos I went last wk in Oct and they said 2mths.
My relatives who had gone Point in Sept got theirs in 6wks.

An appt in 2wks is real good. A coworker called last wk for Point and got Sept 2009.

[greall]

The passports which still aren't collected makes me wonder if all of those people stood in the line for hours and than didn't go to collect them... :?

Greg

[Falcon]

I had my appt last week. It taking 2mths to get your PP now.
I think it was 6wks earlier.

and for those who wear glasses you gotta take off your glasses to take your pic.
and for those who wear multiple earrings, you gotta take them off since you can only have on 1 pair for the pic :roll: .



From http://www.tthighcommission.co.uk/passport.html


"Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline unless it is worn for religious reasons"
"If you normally wear prescription glasses, clear contacts or a hearing device or similar articles, they may be worn for your picture"
"Other dark or tinted lenses are not acceptable"

Sola, like the offices not talking to each other..... :|

[Solachica]

:o Oh gosh falcon for real.
Stupes my glasses was not dark or tinted. :geek:

So this woman make me take off my earrings and my glasses :evil: but the other woman taking pics made another woman remove her glasses to.

and they making you comb back yuh hair to make yuh forehead show. I saw women go to washroom to fix their hair :roll:


And you know in Immigration in US airport they tell me take off glasses when they taking the pic to :? :geek:

[amzz]

how long ago was this?



It's a mixture of panic and inefficiency.

I called the number and got an appointment in less than 10 minutes for two weeks after.I went in at the scheduled time with ALL of the requested documents,got my passport within a week and I pulled no strings

I was listening to one of the officers there complain about people not bringing the necessary documents and a box of passports which remain uncollected nearly six months after they were issued so I'm led to believe that this miss is the fault of both the citizen and the system.

Greg

[sacky]

the laughing matter here is why aint things regionalised,why go to pos when you could have one in sando and arima,god bless the people who votes PNM :lol: :lol:

[Falcon]

:roll:
people vote
peoples vote
persons vote
person votes
:roll:

[vaio]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Solachica]

the laughing matter here is why aint things regionalised,why go to pos when you could have one in sando and arima,god bless the people who votes PNM :lol: :lol:
All locations are booking up. I dunno how greall got thru so fast if it was recently. Sando is closer to me but I went Point becos I got an appt for this year there.

I had called in Sept and got Oct appt but tht was 1st wk when they opened. Now its all booked up until next year Aug or so there.

But its a fast process once you have everything in order and paying Linx. And no crowds becos evryone come for their stipulated time.

[vaio]

isn't there a way you can speed up getting your passport..i think i heard somehwere that you can pay some extra amount and you can get it faster...anyone heard of this?

[Solachica]

I saw a sign while there abt fast tracking your passport you do pay extra. But I think tht wud be on a case by case basis for emergencies etc.
But you cud call and find out or check the website if info there.

[Aurea]

I called to make an appt to renew and guess what? My damn appt is for october next yr!! What d.....?! I have to find out if I can get an extension yes. I can not and I refuse to stay "grounded"!

Aurea

[shield_2006]

It is amazing from reading this thread how people have resigned themselves to this absurdity. Apparently Trinidad and Tobago Passports have been duplicated internationally and this is intended to regularise the situation. FINE- But is this the best we can do administratively and in view of the fact that the PM can express his disdain for matters which upset him-Can we not do likewise? This passport situation is ridiculous and a year down the road appointment for renewal is absurd.

We should all go down to the passport office on a day selected to express our annoyance.

This is firetrucking horse manure in a society seeking to developed status

[kemist]

It is amazing from reading this thread how people have resigned themselves to this absurdity. Apparently Trinidad and Tobago Passports have been duplicated internationally and this is intended to regularise the situation. FINE- But is this the best we can do administratively and in view of the fact that the PM can express his disdain for matters which upset him-Can we not do likewise? This passport situation is ridiculous and a year down the road appointment for renewal is absurd.

We should all go down to the passport office on a day selected to express our annoyance.

This is firetrucking horse manure in a society seeking to developed status


i agree.
t&t is doomed to forever being a developING nation rather than a developED nation.
Even if we (ordinary citizens) go to the passport office to express our annoyance, no one is accountable, no one would get suspended, so complaining about the public service is futile.

[brag]

The Trinidad and Tobago consulate office in Miami is now giving out applications with instructions for completing the form for the new machine readable passports. The application is for either a five years, 32 pages, machine, readable passport or a 48 pages, business passport. The cost is $60.00 in the form of a postal money order or cashier's check (no cash or personal checks). The cost of the business, 48 pages passport is $76.00.

If you are not well prepared with all the documents and other evidences that are required, it can be a hassel going to and from the consulate office. Parking is available on the consulate grounds for $1.50 per hour.

The following information is required for a smooth application process.

1) Your computerized birth certificate.
2) Your completed application form with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two references who are not immediate relatives, a declaration completed by a person who is not an immediate relative such as a notary, minister of religion registered to perform marriages, police oficer, fire officer, university graduate, manager or director of a bank, and other business managers or directors of business coorporations, preferably with an endorsement from them that shows their business status.
3) An affidavit or notarized statement clarifying different names or spellings that differ from what is on the birth certificate, including your surname if it is not on the birth certificate or if it is spelt differently from what is shown on the birth certificate.
4) For US citizens, the original US naturalization certificate.
5) For US residents, a showing of your green card.
6) Height in feet and inches must be converted to centimeters (computer can figure it out).
7) If you are required to have an affidavit, please remember to identify on the back of the the birth certificate a declaration that it is the same birth certificate referenced on the application and affidavit. Have the notary sign that declaration also.
8) Married, female applicants must produce a marriage cerificate. If married more than once, all original marriage certificates including all divorce decrees are required.
9) For Trinidad citizens who were not born in Trinidad, please ask what else is needed.
10) The most recent passport or the most recent expired passport.
11) Any other change of name other than by marriage requires a Deed Poll.
12) If you wish to have the passport mailed back to you, an additional fee of $16.50 is required.

When requesting the application, please ask for clarification of what is stated above, where applicable, as different officers have their own pecularities about what is required and what is not. I don't know if you can request the application form by phone.

(For passport extensions, the fee is $16.50 and not $16.25 as stated on the form you pick up at the consulate office; and remember they will not accept an additional 25 cents coin if you made a mistake and bought a money order for only $16.25). But again, every office may operate differently.

[trinipirate]

I'm in a loophole because my pp expired in 2001 and i'm in the usa. All i have is the old pp, old birth certificate, and expired state id that i cant get back. I cant get the new pp w/o the new birth cert(so i've heard). And cant get the new birth cert. Because my aunt home tried and they wanted id. I havent been home since 97. How the jail they expect ppl like me to get or renew what is rightfully theirs? Any ideas or string pullers?

[Falcon]

you're not in a loophole, you need one. To extricate thyself from the mire in which you are, you need to present yourself at a TT Consulate. You need to come clean as it were at one point, and your Consulate is usually the best bet. If you explain the situation at the consulate they will have a solution....listen, what is the situation with the driver's permit from TT? National ID card? But you pp lapse SEVEN years ago and you never try to fix dat? You may have to swear an affidavit. That may be your starting point.

[Mivo]

you're not in a loophole, you need one. To extricate thyself from the mire in which you are, you need to present yourself at a TT Consulate. You need to come clean as it were at one point, and your Consulate is usually the best bet. If you explain the situation at the consulate they will have a solution....listen, what is the situation with the driver's permit from TT? National ID card? But you pp lapse SEVEN years ago and you never try to fix dat? You may have to swear an affidavit. That may be your starting point.

good advice

[Solachica]

Your mother still alive? A mother cud apply for all her children Birth certificate.
My grand mother did it for all her kids in foreign.

I heard tht Sando PP apointments have reached April 2010 now !!!

[trinipirate]

you're not in a loophole, you need one. To extricate thyself from the mire in which you are, you need to present yourself at a TT Consulate. You need to come clean as it were at one point, and your Consulate is usually the best bet. If you explain the situation at the consulate they will have a solution....listen, what is the situation with the driver's permit from TT? National ID card? But you pp lapse SEVEN years ago and you never try to fix dat? You may have to swear an affidavit. That may be your starting point.

i called the consulate last week and the lady said i need US ID and this and that and was kinda rude so i guess i will have to pay them a visit myself.

[trinipirate]

Your mother still alive? A mother cud apply for all her children Birth certificate.
My grand mother did it for all her kids in foreign.

I heard tht Sando PP apointments have reached April 2010 now !!!

yeah she is. but wouldnt she need her new birth cert. and or passport to apply in turn?
she's in the same situation as me.

[Scorpio]

you're not in a loophole.

Falcon, if the man says he's in a loophole, who are you to tell him he is not ? :?

[Falcon]

Scorpio, let hamelia learn yuh someting, I dont have the time today. :P

Pirate, there is always one person, somewhere, in any organisation who is allowed to and actually wants to use their common sense in 'unique' cases, as yours. You just need to keep asking up and up until you find that person in the TT Consulate or the US whateverthedepartmentwouldbe.

You need to be reasonable with the total strangers who will hear your case of wanting to be trinipirate but without current documents.

Organise the following:

1. Old Birth Certificate.
2. Expired Driver's Licence
3. Expired Passport.

4. Now get whatever document you have been using to prove your identity for the last 7 years. You must have opened bank accounts, applied for jobs, updated licences in the US. (Are you Amish?)

5. Get all your debit, credit and saving bank cards you've had since you've been in the US.

6. Bills as proofs of addresses where you've lived for the time you're in the US. Utility bills are best.(Do you have a filing system?)

7. Mobile phone accounts: get your initial contract out as well.

8.1 Work history in the US. Provided you worked outside Richmond, you should have these records. Get payslips and tax forms.

8.2 Aha! Income tax correspondences, get those too.

Now go to a Justice of the Peace, or a notary public, with those documents and see if they will sign you as you.
If they do, then easy peasy, use that as your ID. If not, then go to the Embassy and speak to someone in person, and if they're not helpful, as to speak to a senior officer. You'll find this situation should be sorted out rather quickly.

(Something doesnt smell right though, I can't believe you dont have ONE piece of ID in 7 years.)

[Falcon]

Score one for Iris scanning technology and DNA databases.

[Amelia]

Scorpio, let hamelia learn yuh someting, I dont have the time today. :P


Nah nah, Huma is the patient explainer-man of those things which should be obvious. Check he.

[trinipirate]

Scorpio, let hamelia learn yuh someting, I dont have the time today. :P

Pirate, there is always one person, somewhere, in any organisation who is allowed to and actually wants to use their common sense in 'unique' cases, as yours. You just need to keep asking up and up until you find that person in the TT Consulate or the US whateverthedepartmentwouldbe.

You need to be reasonable with the total strangers who will hear your case of wanting to be trinipirate but without current documents.

Organise the following:

1. Old Birth Certificate.
2. Expired Driver's Licence
3. Expired Passport.

4. Now get whatever document you have been using to prove your identity for the last 7 years. You must have opened bank accounts, applied for jobs, updated licences in the US. (Are you Amish?)

5. Get all your debit, credit and saving bank cards you've had since you've been in the US.

6. Bills as proofs of addresses where you've lived for the time you're in the US. Utility bills are best.(Do you have a filing system?)

7. Mobile phone accounts: get your initial contract out as well.

8.1 Work history in the US. Provided you worked outside Richmond, you should have these records. Get payslips and tax forms.

8.2 Aha! Income tax correspondences, get those too.

Now go to a Justice of the Peace, or a notary public, with those documents and see if they will sign you as you.
If they do, then easy peasy, use that as your ID. If not, then go to the Embassy and speak to someone in person, and if they're not helpful, as to speak to a senior officer. You'll find this situation should be sorted out rather quickly.

(Something doesnt smell right though, I can't believe you dont have ONE piece of ID in 7 years.)

Thanks for the help. I also read that using the old birth certificate will work but will take longer. 21 days vs. 10 days. I do have enough ID and bank account/ phone bills to show that I am who I am. In any event, my cousin has a link with someone working in the NY consulate and I'll be getting her number in the morning to personally talk to her. The end result I believe will be me getting what is rightfully mine.

[Scorpio]

Scorpio, let hamelia learn yuh someting, I dont have the time today. :P


Nah nah, Huma is the patient explainer-man of those things which should be obvious. Check he.

Amelia and Falcon, you 2 must really think a lot of yourselves of you believe that only you two (and Huma) are bright enough to see that the guy incorrectly used the word loophole. :o

[trinipirate]

Scorpio, let hamelia learn yuh someting, I dont have the time today. :P


Nah nah, Huma is the patient explainer-man of those things which should be obvious. Check he.

Amelia and Falcon, you 2 must really think a lot of yourselves of you believe that only you two (and Huma) are bright enough to see that the guy incorrectly used the word loophole. :o

lol I just realized what i wrote initially. i was thinking loophole because I needed one, but meant to say "vicious circle"
see how much i was frustrated?

[Falcon]

dont worry Pirate, the only person you fooled was Scorpio.......... ;)

[Amelia]

Scorpio, let hamelia learn yuh someting, I dont have the time today. :P


Nah nah, Huma is the patient explainer-man of those things which should be obvious. Check he.

Amelia and Falcon, you 2 must really think a lot of yourselves of you believe that only you two (and Huma) are bright enough to see that the guy incorrectly used the word loophole. :o

:lol: I now seeing this post.

[Falcon]

you have to admit Amelia, it was a commendable effort by Scorpio to try and claw back literary credibility, but in the end was transparent as a bank manager's smile.

[Amelia]

you have to admit Amelia, it was a commendable effort by Scorpio to try and claw back literary credibility, but in the end was transparent as a bank manager's smile.

Commendable effort u say?
hmmm....

[Scorpio]

It was a joke, people. :evil:

[Solachica]

Today on radio one of the host called for his PP appt.
He got Feb 2010 for POS
And the nearest one was Dec 2009 in Point Fortin.

[Mivo]

[quote="Solachica"]Today on radio one of the host called for his PP appt.
He got Feb 2010 for POS
And the nearest one was Dec 2009 in Point Fortin.[

wow! dais unbelievable

[Falcon]

Sola, Mivo, I don't get the numbers here.

How many passport offices are there in TT? How many appointments are possible in one day, times 5 days, times about 50 to compensate for the public holidays.......then how many people of the 1.2 million actually made appts, surely 'many' have renewed their passport by now...just doesnt make sense :humm:

[guyguy]

Sola, Mivo, I don't get the numbers here.

How many passport offices are there in TT? How many appointments are possible in one day, times 5 days, times about 50 to compensate for the public holidays.......then how many people of the 1.2 million actually made appts, surely 'many' have renewed their passport by now...just doesnt make sense :humm:
The last I read was that the GOTT needs to issue/reissue 500,000 passports.

[Solachica]

These are the PP offices tht I know.

Point Fortin
San Fernando
Chaguanas
Port of Spain
SangreGrande

Tobago must have one right? :?

I dont know how many appts they give a day. But i think appts start from 7am.

When I went for mine they said 6wks to process.

[Scorpio]

I heard you can now get your new pp at the consulate in NY.

[trinipirate]

I heard you can now get your new pp at the consulate in NY.

really? you mean get as in they make it or just process it and send the info home to get it back? I'm going next week.

[Scorpio]

I heard you can now get your new pp at the consulate in NY.

really? you mean get as in they make it or just process it and send the info home to get it back? I'm going next week.

I just got a passport renewal form and one the last page of the instruction (the back page) there is a list of TNT consulates where you can get your passport renewed, the information is vague, they also have phone numbers listed, so I plan to call next week and find out what the real deal is.

[brag]

They told me at the Miami office that they only gather, check and verify all the information for processing a new passport aplication packet. The packet is then sent to Trinidad where the new passport is prepared. The new passport is then sent to Miami for delivery to the applicant. It takes two months for return, at which time they will notify you of its arrival. It took me about two hours from the time I signed in at the receptionist's desk to the final application step of picture taking at the consulate. Of course, I had to make three trips to the office to get everything they needed in proper order.

[trinipirate]

They told me at the Miami office that they only gather, check and verify all the information for processing a new passport aplication packet. The packet is then sent to Trinidad where the new passport is prepared. The new passport is then sent to Miami for delivery to the applicant. It takes two months for return, at which time they will notify you of its arrival. It took me about two hours from the time I signed in at the receptionist's desk to the final application step of picture taking at the consulate. Of course, I had to make three trips to the office to get everything they needed in proper order.

that's what i thought happened. when did you do yours and what did they ask for? did u have the new computerized birth certificate?

[brag]

Yes, I had the new computerized birth certificate which I got when I was in Trinidad earlier in the year. I believe you can also apply for the new computerized birth certificate at the office of the consulate. Some of them at the consulate office will not give you a new passport application unless you show them you possess the computerized birth certificate.

In post 2290 here I explained all the details. When you receive the application form, they should also give you a paper explaining in detail all what is necessary to complete the application, if not, please ask for it.

In my case, I had to return to the office of the consulate because I had mistakenly assumed too many things. For example, my first name alone was on my birth certificate, and I assumed an affidavit was not necessary to prove that I was the same person with my last name shown on my passport and not on my birth certificate.

In my second visit, I wrongly assumed they would accept my US passport as proof of my US citizenship. I also assumed that a copy of my US naturalization certificate will do, since I was unable to find the original. (I had already made copies of my naturalization a few years ago when I later learned that making a copy of it was illegal).

Please ask for a copy or a sample of an affidavit, so you can prepare the affidavit yourself and have it notarized.

[trinipirate]

Yes, I had the new computerized birth certificate which I got when I was in Trinidad earlier in the year. I believe you can also apply for the new computerized birth certificate at the office of the consulate. Some of them at the consulate office will not give you a new passport application unless you show them you possess the computerized birth certificate.

In post 2290 here I explained all the details. When you receive the application form, they should also give you a paper explaining in detail all what is necessary to complete the application, if not, please ask for it.

In my case, I had to return to the office of the consulate because I had mistakenly assumed too many things. For example, my first name alone was on my birth certificate, and I assumed an affidavit was not necessary to prove that I was the same person with my last name shown on my passport and not on my birth certificate.

In my second visit, I wrongly assumed they would accept my US passport as proof of my US citizenship. I also assumed that a copy of my US naturalization certificate will do, since I was unable to find the original. (I had already made copies of my naturalization a few years ago when I later learned that making a copy of it was illegal).

Please ask for a copy or a sample of an affidavit, so you can prepare the affidavit yourself and have it notarized.

i hate how they bend their own rules
http://immigration.gov.tt/applicationlo ... d=84&prev= (http://immigration.gov.tt/applicationloader.asp?app=faqarticles&cmd=view&faqarticlesid=84&prev=)

and why would they need proof of ur US citizenship?

[brag]

I believe they want to make sure you are in the US legitimately in order to issue you a new passport. Otherwise you have to get it done in T&T. Everybody else is letting you in the country illegally, but Trini consulates make sure they are not condoning the breaking of the US laws by Trinis. My guess is that the whole idea of proof is to spot applications by potential terrorists in the process of screening applicants at the front end. I am not sure if that makse sense, but it is my best guess.

[TRVC]

Well today - 22 April 2009 - I tried to make yet another appointment to renew my Trini passport. Good news is that I did not have to spend any time on hold to make the appointment, but almost immediately got through to a service agent. I asked which passport office would be able to have the earliest appointment and was told Point Fortin would be fastest. In that case I could get an appointment for August .... (wait for it) .... 2010.
Second fastest option was Chaguanas, in which case I could get an appointment for October .... 2010.

I gave up again. [smilie=dash3.gif] I don't know why I was thinking they might have become faster. (Maybe because Colm Imbert announced they were dealing with the problem and would have it fixed really soon.) In reality it has become slower. This is third time I tried. Results were as follows:
4 Jun 2008 got appointment for 15 Dec 2008 = 6+ months later
(Missed that appointment because I was out of country in December)
17 Nov 2008 was offered appointment for 19 Oct 2009 = 11 months later
22 Apr 2009 was offered soonest appointment for Aug 2010 = 16 months later

I don't know why they even bother. What country can possibly expect its citizens to wait more than a year to renew an existing passport. I have a second passport, so thank God I can travel. I think I'm giving up on trying to renew my Trini passport. It doesn't seem like our government cares, so why should I.

[dancerboy]

Well today - 22 April 2009 - I tried to make yet another appointment to renew my Trini passport. Good news is that I did not have to spend any time on hold to make the appointment, but almost immediately got through to a service agent. I asked which passport office would be able to have the earliest appointment and was told Point Fortin would be fastest. In that case I could get an appointment for August .... (wait for it) .... 2010.
Second fastest option was Chaguanas, in which case I could get an appointment for October .... 2010.

I gave up again. [smilie=dash3.gif] I don't know why I was thinking they might have become faster. (Maybe because Colm Imbert announced they were dealing with the problem and would have it fixed really soon.) In reality it has become slower. This is third time I tried. Results were as follows:
4 Jun 2008 got appointment for 15 Dec 2008 = 6+ months later
(Missed that appointment because I was out of country in December)
17 Nov 2008 was offered appointment for 19 Oct 2009 = 11 months later
22 Apr 2009 was offered soonest appointment for Aug 2010 = 16 months later

I don't know why they even bother. What country can possibly expect its citizens to wait more than a year to renew an existing passport. I have a second passport, so thank God I can travel. I think I'm giving up on trying to renew my Trini passport. It doesn't seem like our government cares, so why should I.

Maybe you are such an invaluable citizen, the gov't doesn't want you to leave the country.


DANCERBOY

[Solachica]

see if you get thru to pay the $500 to get fast processing.

but some people after the long wait when they get thru with appt they also have to wait wks to get passport. when my aunt got hers was a mth, when i got mine was 5wks, when an uncle went was 6wks but at 6th wk it was not ready so it took more like 9 wks.

[unimatrix001]

i glad i get mine when it had line 5am in d mornin in grande. no appointment hassle.
it expirin beginin of 2013 so i dun makeup meh mind to call mid 2011 to make appointment to renew

[Solachica]

I was wondering same thing abt there always being line.
By time one set of people done processed next 4yrs wud have next setta people waiting to renew PP

[Faraz]

Of course you can pay the rediculous expedite fee of $300 to have it issued in 7 days.

Such a rip off!!...

Unfortunately, my passport is required for work, so I had to pay it :(

[Chicabonita]

I have a question. If you have the old passport and still good, is it true that after December 2009 you have to get the new one regardless whether your old passport still good?

[unimatrix001]

that is true. the canadian embassy and US embassy issued notifications in the news papers that they would not be accepting the old passports at customs after december 2009 even if they are still valid

@faraz i think the expedite fee is more than that...more like $500

[TRVC]

I was wondering same thing abt there always being line.
By time one set of people done processed next 4yrs wud have next setta people waiting to renew PP
Yep. I think William Lucie-Smith made that calculation in a newspaper column a while back. Because the new passports need to be renewed again after 5 years, and the passport office is not even capable of keeping pace with renewing passports that are expiring now, they will never, ever at the current rate be able to provide everyone with a passport.

Unless they increase the rate at which they can do renewals, the line will stretch to infinity.

[Beetle]

I was wondering same thing abt there always being line.
By time one set of people done processed next 4yrs wud have next setta people waiting to renew PP
Yep. I think William Lucie-Smith made that calculation in a newspaper column a while back. Because the new passports need to be renewed again after 5 years, and the passport office is not even capable of keeping pace with renewing passports that are expiring now, they will never, ever at the current rate be able to provide everyone with a passport.

Unless they increase the rate at which they can do renewals, the line will stretch to infinity.

^ amazing !!

Good luck to allyuh who still on 1 year long waiting list to get new TT passports and who have to line up for hours and den deal with dem hogs and dem in the TT passport office who does act like if they givin away free money that everybody desperately in need of.

Long time ago, I came to the conclusion that having a TT passport is just not worth the hassle, I am so frikkin glad that I have options.

[Solachica]

:roll:

[ebony02]

Long time ago, I came to the conclusion that having a TT passport is just not worth the hassle, I am so frikkin glad that I have options.

I'm starting to feel the same way. Same BS in the States to try and get a new passport.

[letric]

Here in the UK there are no problems, providing you have all the relevant papers The waiting period for collection is 3 months at present, expiring 5 years, as compared with the 10 years.

[guyguy]

This will be interesting for me. I discovered to my dismay that my passport expired at the end of last month. I sent the documents via FedEx to T&T for an Electronic Birth Certificate with prepaid FedEx envelope last Friday. I was informed by a very nice young lady in POS, who, by the way, was extremely polite and professional, that I should get my Birth Certificate sometime next week. I believe that I will, if not sooner.

However, in order to get my new passport, I must travel to DC, NYC, or Miami and present myself in the flesh, along with the relevant documents. There is no accomodation for those T&T nationals that live on the West Coast - even Alaska - so that'll be quite an expensive trip. We'll see just how long it'll take me to get my passport.

However, I must tell you that the people at the Consulate in DC have ALWAYS been very professional, caring, and proficient when renewing my previous passports. I believe the record has been 4 days from the time I mailed one of my previous passports till the day I got it at home. If I cannot get my passport then I will have a huge problem with my job since I travel frequently. I shall keep my fingers crossed and hope that the folks at the Consulate come through this time as well as they have in the past. Time will tell.

[bigzack]

However, in order to get my new passport, I must travel to DC, NYC, or Miami and present myself in the flesh, along with the relevant documents. There is no accomodation for those T&T nationals that live on the West Coast - even Alaska - so that'll be quite an expensive trip. We'll see just how long it'll take me to get my passport.

Guy

Once you have all they ask you for, and the requirements are plainly written in the instructions, you can get an interview immediately. They will then take, what they call your "biometrics", which is actually a computer generated, and instructed picture.

From that date, it takes 9 weeks to get the passport back from Trinidad to the Embassy.

While I was in Trinidad last week, the Minister said that they will be working on Saturdays to speed up things, so even that 9 weeks might be shortened.

[saltwater]

I also dealing with renewal of passports for my family, one of which expired yesterday. The consulate in NY told me that they working by appointments and the earliest one is in May 11, 2010. All of us are to present ourselves at the appointed time, with old passports, computer issued BP and application wich will have all the other requirements. They will only change this rule for people with emergencies. Almost 1 year to wait for an appointment. Anybody know how to get arround this time frame.

[lexbarker]

This will be interesting for me. I discovered to my dismay that my passport expired at the end of last month. I sent the documents via FedEx to T&T for an Electronic Birth Certificate with prepaid FedEx envelope last Friday. I was informed by a very nice young lady in POS, who, by the way, was extremely polite and professional, that I should get my Birth Certificate sometime next week. I believe that I will, if not sooner.

However, in order to get my new passport, I must travel to DC, NYC, or Miami and present myself in the flesh, along with the relevant documents. There is no accomodation for those T&T nationals that live on the West Coast - even Alaska - so that'll be quite an expensive trip. We'll see just how long it'll take me to get my passport.

However, I must tell you that the people at the Consulate in DC have ALWAYS been very professional, caring, and proficient when renewing my previous passports. I believe the record has been 4 days from the time I mailed one of my previous passports till the day I got it at home. If I cannot get my passport then I will have a huge problem with my job since I travel frequently. I shall keep my fingers crossed and hope that the folks at the Consulate come through this time as well as they have in the past. Time will tell.
Bush people dangerous, yuh know.

[guyguy]

UPDATE:
Today I received my Electronic Birth Certificate. It is one of the most beautiful documents I have seen and the government has done a terrific job in its design and look. Even though it took several weeks, the fault was mine or else I would have received it in about a week.

I want to state, categorically, that the person with whom I dealt at the Registrar's Office in Port of Spain was superb, highly professional, extremely patient and very helpful. This person is the embodiment of stellar service and I cannot be more grateful and thankful.

[Solachica]

:D nice

[letric]

I had a similar experience relative to the courtesy,efficiency, professional attitude when I applied for my computerised passport at the UK High Commission recently. The Officer (forgot her name)was seconded from T&T to assist with the applications, guidance, and requirements in the issuance of new passports.

[TRVC]

I had a similar experience relative to the courtesy,efficiency, professional attitude

My interactions with people have also been positive. Unfortunately, it's the system that is FUBAR.

[amzz]

a bit of info:
If you had an affidavit for your old birth certificate you more than likely will have to get a new one in order to apply for the new passport.

[Falcon]

So I have to travel in a sort of emergency- in a couple weeks- and my passport was extended only until Dec 09. So I call the high commission and them send me through ah whole set ah options only to reach the stage where I could talk to someone, and nobody answering the phone (it is 3 hours before closing time), then the recording say 'exiting the system', and yuh get disconnected.

So vex like hell, I log on to start a thread about how 'only in Trinidad' etc etc. I say let me cool myself and use the 'cheats' that I learn about re-routing you calls when you get offered multiple options. Eventually I get this very polite, cheerful and helpful young lady to answer all my questions......

This is where people like snowfowl and DB, who never have nutting good to say bout people, should sit UP and open dey ears.

On the other hand, I 'take my time' over the past year or so and ent get my new passport, now I might get refuse ah veezay if them is sticklers for ah 2 weeks shy of the 3 months. And the young lady say if ah submit tomorrow at the high commission, is between 6-10 weeks for the new one. No fast-track fees.

Yuh know, ah cudda get my passport in a week in Trinidad- because I 'did know somebody'..........sigh.......only in Englan! :?

[Solachica]

Me ent kno wht you just said dey nuh :?

[vaio]

Me ent kno wht you just said dey nuh :?

i was thinkin the same thing :| :?

[saltwater]

Falcon, break that down fast. I need to renew passports here in NY and my appointment is in May 2010.

[Mivo]

there is a thread on general board on trini passports... Guy did a nice write-up bout his experience

salt why u have to wait so long?

[Falcon]

Mivo, I did a search and didnt find any...let me look and merge this into that if I find it.
Update: ah look and still ent find the thread to which you referred. :|

salt, you have an appointment in 2010 to SUBMIT an application?!?! :shock:

sola, vaio, never mind; was simply a self-directed rant.

[Mivo]

Falcs here goes:http://www.ttonline.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1407

[Falcon]

nice, let me see if I can remember how to do this.....
edit: 8-) like ridin a bike

[dancerboy]

Me ent kno wht you just said dey nuh :?

i was thinkin the same thing :| :?

De only ting ah understand in dat post was SNOWFOWL, and DB. An me eh know wat he expect we to say.

DANCERBOY

[dancerboy]

Falcon, break that down fast. I need to renew passports here in NY and my appointment is in May 2010.

SW my fren, is because ah dat BS my i eh renew meh passport yet. And it expire since 2004. And ah hair we jus build ah brand new (not ah new brand eh) building for we embassy. Dat is 20/20 vision. Put up big MACCO building, but dey have lousy service. Dat remine ah de time ah went to bes bye, and dey take long to serve meh. Ah tell de clerk : " You might have de bes bye, but you have the worst service"

DANCERBOY

[trinipepper]

So WHA WHA WHA is de reason why T&T CYAR renew passports in a shorter time even after the computerised system was the reason for expediting the very same documents :humm: :humm:
Instead,,,,,it tun upside frikken dong [smilie=ireful2.gif] [smilie=ireful2.gif] [smilie=ireful2.gif] [smilie=dash2.gif] [smilie=dash2.gif] :evil: :evil:

[Falcon]

Appointment is now December, with a 6 week processing time. I can use my old passport until the new one arrives; or Dec 31st which ever date is later. Visa might be a problem but will have to go a bit higher up for a pass on the 3 mth rule.

[saltwater]

Yes people, my appointment is May 11, 2010 to submit an application for renewal. And I get that appointment way back in May 2009. For the last 3 years they were granting only extensions and when I went in May they said no more extensions. I must renew and they gave me the next available appointment, May 11, 2010.
To get the application forms, I had to wait for the front desk guy to complete his conversation with a female leaning over the counter, and which I politely and patiently waited for because I did not want we people to accuse me of ****ting Haagan Dass (ah la Mr Big). I tolerated and endured a very long hard, cut eye look when I asked about the process and then I was told that I can only get 4 application forms.They are not allowed to give out more than 4.
Thats it, dont know if there is anything else I can do.

[trinipepper]

:humm: :notcool: [smilie=dash3.gif] [smilie=ireful2.gif] [smilie=ireful2.gif] [smilie=ireful2.gif]

[guyguy]

Yes people, my appointment is May 11, 2010 to submit an application for renewal. And I get that appointment way back in May 2009. For the last 3 years they were granting only extensions and when I went in May they said no more extensions. I must renew and they gave me the next available appointment, May 11, 2010.
To get the application forms, I had to wait for the front desk guy to complete his conversation with a female leaning over the counter, and which I politely and patiently waited for because I did not want we people to accuse me of !@#$ Haagan Dass (ah la Mr Big). I tolerated and endured a very long hard, cut eye look when I asked about the process and then I was told that I can only get 4 application forms.They are not allowed to give out more than 4.
Thats it, dont know if there is anything else I can do.
saltwater,
Call up the embassy in Washington, DC. I am sure that they'll make an appointment for you much sooner. Take the train to DC, spend a night there if you must, and make sure that you have all of your paperwork with you - in triplicate, just for safety's sake. While I was there , a couple from the Bronx had gone to DC since NYC's consulate gave them an appointment for the end of October 2009 and the lady needed to go home sooner.

All of the forms are easily downloadable from the web. Following is the contact info in DC but you can call me if you need more info or help:

Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago
1705 Massachusetts ave n/w
Washington, dc 20036
Phone 202 467-6490 ex 1003
http://www.ttembassy.org


It took me less than a week to get my Electronic Birth Certificate from Port of Spain and I live in California. I then called the embassy and was given a choice of days for the week following my receipt of the EBC. The following Wednesday I flew to DC, had my appointment the following day at 11:50 am, completed everything within an hour, caught the 3:30 pm flight and was back in LA that night.

They told me that I should receive my new passport between 8-10 weeks so I should have it by the end of this month or the middle of next month. They even stamped my expired passport with an extension (you'll need 2 passport photos and another form).

The people in DC are the greatest. I cannot find enough superlatives to describe them and the service they provided me even though they are inundated with work.

The government is doing as fast and as great a job that it can. The people are trying to deal with an avalanche of BC & PP requests so what I found is that if treat them nicely, they reciprocate in kind.

One more thing the government added, which is strictly voluntary, is a form whereby you can fill out your personal data, including your education and job that you do, along with any type of qualifications - even if you're in school. They put this information into a database and if a job opens up in T&T, they contact you to see if you're interested. It's not a guarantee of employment but at least the government is smart enough to recognize that many expats are highly qualified and have tremendous experience and may wish to return to T&T. Whoever thought up that idea is brilliant.

Try DC, and good luck.

[Mivo]

Salt I can help you if you decide to come to DC...I will send you my contact info :D :D

[saltwater]

Oh great, thanks Guy. I am going to try DC and if I need any help, I will certainly let you know.
Mivo, what contact you have in DC.
I cannt believe that DC is giving such excellent service compared to NYC. Could have tried them since May.

[Scorpio]

So I have to travel in a sort of emergency- in a couple weeks- and my passport was extended only until Dec 09. So I call the high commission and them send me through ah whole set ah options only to reach the stage where I could talk to someone, and nobody answering the phone (it is 3 hours before closing time), then the recording say 'exiting the system', and yuh get disconnected.

So vex like hell, I log on to start a thread about how 'only in Trinidad' etc etc. I say let me cool myself and use the 'cheats' that I learn about re-routing you calls when you get offered multiple options. Eventually I get this very polite, cheerful and helpful young lady to answer all my questions......

This is where people like snowfowl and DB, who never have nutting good to say bout people, should sit UP and open dey ears.

On the other hand, I 'take my time' over the past year or so and ent get my new passport, now I might get refuse ah veezay if them is sticklers for ah 2 weeks shy of the 3 months. And the young lady say if ah submit tomorrow at the high commission, is between 6-10 weeks for the new one. No fast-track fees.

Yuh know, ah cudda get my passport in a week in Trinidad- because I 'did know somebody'..........sigh.......only in Englan! :?


Another sad story, just like the man who walk in the Trinidad consulate in Miami with no appointment and shamelessly told the receptionist (everyone could hear him) that he's been living the US (illegally) since 1989, his passport has long expired, and he is about to get kicked out his home because he lost his job and cannot pay the rent so he going back Trinidad, and they have to help him get a new passport otherwise he will become a vagrant.

They tell him to come back in April 2010.

[Falcon]

dat is why I will have my NEW passport about TWO YEARS before you even get to see a receptionist!