Richmondites can now pick up their passports from the Service Canada office on Cooney and Ackroyd Roads, announced the federal government.
Those in need of standard, express, and urgent pick-up services can now head to the Richmond office. An estimate of walk-in wait times is available online, and it is updated three times a day - at 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m.
As of 9:30 a.m. on July 27, the walk-in wait time is estimated to be three hours and 45 minutes.
Richmond is one of five new locations offering passport pick-up services that were announced on Monday, July 25.
"This expansion will allow many Canadians who need to pick up passports in person to do so closer to their homes, rather than travel to another office in their area," reads a statement by Karina Gould, minister of families, children and social development.
"Opening these new pick-up locations will also help reduce lineups at other offices in bigger cities."
Those planning to visit the passport office are also advised to check Service Canada's triage measure, which separates Canadians waiting for passport services in the Greater Vancouver Area into three groups, prioritizing those travelling within 24 to 48 hours.
Others travelling within 3 to 14 days will be triaged, and travellers with trips planned within 15 to 45 days will be directed to a nearby Service Canada Centre where they may be offered appointments on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Richmond passport office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays.
