Still no baby passport, really panicking

[macneil]

We sent it all off too late, it takes 4 weeks, and we sent 5 weeks ago, but they sent it back because they said the picture was too dark, and I've already bought another ticket and can't afford another another, plus my husband has to go back on Monday for an interview that can't be changed and means everything in the world to us. I don't even know how I'd get to the airport alone as cabs don't have baby seats and it's illegal to take her without one. She's four months. I don't want to stay here alone and make dh get another ticket back to come and get me, but it's all so scary now. If only I were breastfeeding, if only we had the passport, if only etc. What do they do if people go into labour early while abroad?

don't know all the ins and outs but you can fasttrack a passport. dh did it a little while agho but it's quite expensive.

You are panicking.
Let's look at each thing one at atime.
There will be a number on the notes that came with the passport form. Phone it tomorrow and they will tell you how the application is progressing and maybe speed it up.

You will be able to find a cab company with a baby seat to take you to the airport.
If you go into labour whilst abroad you will go to the hospital there. Take your notes with you.

you can go in person to the passport office I think with a first passport it takes one or 2 weeks still. HTH

no, but you can pay extra, I think it was about £100 and they will do it in 24 hrs or something

Sorry, was ranting and typing with one hand. I won't go into labour, I just wondered what would happen if one DID give birth and had no passport to take the baby back.

The passport office in Canada is in Ottowa on the other side of the country, there isn't one here in Vancouver. There's no fast-track option as far as I know, have asked the Vancouver British Embassy and they tell me there's nothing I can do, and they're not allowed to interfere with the passport people.

DH thinks he could get a work colleague to drive me to the airport and fix our seat in his car - I've phoned the cabs before, though, and couldn't find one who'd take me. I suppose people with babies
i do
sometimes need to get cabs, so this must just be me being obtuse.

And sadly there's no way of calling the passport office. Their only number takes you to a premium rate phoneline in India, who just read the web site to you. There's no way of even knowing if I have to change my ticket, until it's too late.

aahhhh all makes sense now, knowing that you are abroad - sounds like a nightmare! Fingers crossed it will all be okay this time around. My only tip for travel with children is don't have hot drink on the aeroplane iin case you spill it! Happened to me I got scalded all down my leg - very painful and had to sit in wet clothes.

So the update is this. I hassled the useless consulate into getting my baby's passport 'extradited' - in that it will arrive at the consulate office in town tomorrow morning (even though this has taken longer than the web site says it takes to process passports AND the web site is the only way of contacting the commission and passport office - all they have is web site information, no one to talk to). This means I have to pick it up in the morning, and although I can legally travel by cab, I'm just not going to. I can't leave her with anyone, so it's a 3-bus ride to the consulate office with her in a Baby Bjorn and me hoping she doesn't melt down. Then I have to give them a letter from my UK GP saying I'd get post natal depression if I stayed here alone, they have to approve that, and then I get to take 3 buses home. I managed to change my flight for a few hundred dollars, husband flew today, but has arranged for a friend to take me to the airport in the evening in our car with baby seat. (He can't get time off to take me to the consulate too.) It's going to be a heckofa day, but it is worth it because I get to go home. If I survive.

Good luck macneil, are you going back to the UK for good, or are you returning to Canada?

I'm sure everything will go well. Have you contacted the airline - will they let you travel with the baby and her birth certificate? That's probably a silly question but I am feeling your desperation.

Let us know how the journey goes (if it does go at all)!