Service Canada Centre

If you need your passport in less than 5 weeks or have an issue with a newly issued passport and need a replacement, you CANNOT come to this location. You will need to go to the passport offices in Whitby, Scarborough or elsewhere in the GTA. I waited a whole hour before I was informed of this.
If you need a straightforward passport renewal, you will need to arrive at least half hour before opening. By around 9: 30 they were about to shut off the line for the day as there were already so many people waiting, it would take then the rest of the day to get through them all.
This location is severely understaffed. There were about 50 people in line within an hour of opening, and only one person at the welcome desk, one person actually going through the applications, and one person dealing with booked appointments. It was awful and ridiculous. It's not the staff's fault, it's whoever is in charge of hiring people at these offices.

We got here at 8: 20 in the morning and we were not called at 12 noon. This is simply too slow! Don’t come here if you don’t have a day plan

This location opens at 830am. You need to start lining up around 8am. There's less then a handful of workers about 3 that are staffed that i can see, when there's about 8 or 9 booths. I waited about 2 hours. Patricia is awesome patient and super helpful. She made our wait time so much easier to accept.

-4 degrees still don’t allow walk-in people go and wait inside even I have mentioned to the security lady, NON- OF HUMANE CARE!

Very dramatic security guard who screamed at everyone for hours. This isn't supposed to be prison, dude.

I understand why this location gets really low reviews. The lining system is dependent on what you’re getting serviced, and not based on number calling (ie, how many ppl in front of you). So even if you arrive at 8am, you may still wait till 1pm if you’re requiring a longer processing time. The security guard even confirmed this. Not a fair system. I recommend going to a service canada where they assign #s / call for #s. Otherwise, expect to wait if you’re planning on getting your passport renewed here (longer processing time).

The security was telling this is a location that goes only with appointment or else come at 8 30 am, we were there at 12 30 pm didn't allowed, would like to know in advance about this, kind of never heard it was not busy at all.

Worker at the desk said it will take 10 minutes to enter in the data. Booked an 11: 30am appt, left at 12: 50pm. All the workers there are slow, and most just don't care to provide better service.

Long wait time but the excellent service I received made the wait worth it. I received help from a young guy, he was very kind and made the passport process very smooth. He also took the time to answer all my questions about pensions without making me feel rushed.

Was at the place at 3: 30pm and was told they are closed. Per their website the office closes at 4pm. Government!

Wanted to renew my passport, so I downloaded the application form, had it filled out, took 2 studio photos, and went to this Service Canada location, which is located on Hwy 7, south of Markville Mall, to submit my application.
I was greeted by the woman at the front counter, who asked me the purpose of my visit. I told her that I wanted to renew my passport. When I showed her my application, I was told that I could not renew it, since the expiration date was more than a year away.
I told her that I would send the application in by mail instead, she also told me that I had to wait until it is within a year of the expiration date before I could send it in, to have it renewed.
I had my suspicions, since I did not find any written information about her claim anywhere in the official Canadian Government website.
I sent in my application the next day, by courier, and I got my new passport in 15 days.
It is shameful for any Service Canada employee to lie, and to provide false information.
I hope the management at this location would make sure that their employees provide meaningful info to Canadian.

Why do most (90%) public servants within service Canada have an entitlement attitude? Is it because the government is essentially a bully, that’s how it trickles down, isn’t it? Hence all its little henchman’s are undoubtedly “acts” as if they are superior than us “PEASANTS”?

Some are really decent human beings and I appreciate every single one of them. As for the rest, you can feel entitled all you want, you are simply but a tool to the government and thinking it’s a cushy job.

This location is the worst, or the one from Scarborough, both are the finest in its “own sense”…?

Extreme slow service. Come at 8a.m. Only three people serve there. Be told waiting time is 1.5 h. But wait more than 3 hours. Don’t come this service Canada. Go others.

5 minute wait outside, an hour and 15 minute wait inside, staff were polite, professional and courteous.

The staff at the front desk was nice. Wait here is insanely long but it's to be expected when coming to any service Ontario/ Canada locations. Not sure why they have two staff members working and taking thirty minute breaks in between seeing customers though. STC location is probably better.

-4 degree still don’t allow walk-in people go and wait inside even I have mentioned to the security lady, NON- OF HUMANE CARE!

SERVICE CANADA CLEARLY DIDN'T WANT TO HELP MY WIFE, EVEN THOUGH ITS SAYS SERVICE CANADA IN THE LETTER

This morning 30 nov 2022 8: 50 I drop my wife off at Service Canada at HWY 7 across from Markville mall.

My wife went into SERVICE CANADA, I REPEAT ANY SERVICE CANADA LIKE WHAT THE LETTER SAID, and ask questions about this letter regarding child benefit.
One thing about my wife is she doesn't speak any English, so I assume my tax money would have some kind of service helping my wife. I had to drop my car off at Bullocks Ave to get it repair, so I have to leave my wife there to line up, after when i drop my car off i will walk to service canada to meet up with my wife.
While I was at the garage, my wife called and said to me the employee at service canada said they read the letter and said to my wife this place is not responsible for this, they gave her this piece of paper with a highlighted phone number and a website address, afterwards my wife use her minimal English skills and ask if she could stay until i come and pick her, they say no, and ask to leave in the rain. That is just only 10mins

But that letter, it clearly said
ANY SERVICE CANADA to apply, so. My wife doesn't speak English and you guys refues to help her, give her some BS answer and ask her to leave.
They clearly didn't want to help her because she doesn't speak English even though the letter said "service Canada". They totally took advantage of her due to her language barrier, some what even discriminate and humiliate her, so.i am paying my taxes to support these kind of services? One day this kind of service will bite these employees back when they are old and helpless. I always tell everyone one my friends and my wife how good Canada is,
apparently its a let down

I came here 2 weeks ago on a Thursday morning at 8am and was the 3rd person in line. They opened promptly at 8: 30am and let us wait inside. There were only 3 booths opened even though there were around 10 booths in total. The person helping me was great and took around 25 mins (while training an employee) to process my application. Overall, the process wasn't too bad and my advice is to show up early before the doors open if you want a faster experience.

This is the worst! The most terrible and inhumane service in my years in Canada. Today, the first day of snow with temperatures of -5 degrees, I was standing outside for 2 hours and 20 minutes in the cold, because they do not let people be inside, only 5 chairs enabled to sit and the rest of the people freezing in the street. It is a punishment instead of a service. I don't recommend it,

So apparently, service Canada will have their clients wait outside in the snow, and a rude security guard refuses client to get in. Even though there’s no line inside, they say it’s full.

Waiting outside in the chilly air outside a locked empty supposedly open office just to get some service that’s supposed to be so simple from this place was not worth it - especially since they firmly shut their doors at 4 on the dot. No matter if you are waiting in line well before that. If there were a way to give less than zero stars, I would give it.

There are always at least 20 people lining up outside every morning before opening. I am one of them today. But I found the service here is great. And it is quite organized. I have nothing to complain about the kind staff working here. But hope some of the business could be done online. Not just in person or mailing.

Waiting and standing one and half hour outside the office in cold weather and finally get inside the office and waiting again but better this time with seats. Long line in waiting seats as well and should be another one and half hour waiting. The office have ten booths but why only three booths are open? That’s why we have to wait such a long time. Where are the other seven staff members gone?

As I'm writing this comment, I've been waiting in the rain for 3 hours outside their office. Only around 10 to 15 people got in since their office opened at 9am. What service level are we talking about?

What i can Say. Waiting time so long. Went 15 minutes before opening at 7: 45 am and line up around 45 people. Enter nearby 12: 45pm and they called my name at exact 2: 15pm. At 2: 25pm renew documents. For 10 minutes work, wait for 6 hours. Not only me, everyone wait there.

Came to renew/get passport application for 2 children. Came around 8: 15-ish and line was at the side of the building with about 50-60 people in front of line. Security guard came out and said wait is around 4.5-5hours long.got in around 2: 00 then had to wait a bit before seeing an agent which added another hour, so in total I wanted for 6.5 hours all said and done.if no travel plans this is the only way to get passport or you can mail it in. Passport will take 3 months to process, expected delivery for me is Nov 21.

Door is locked at the front. But if you have an appointment you can knock and security will open door and check your name on appointment list. Other services that is not passport related MAY be allowed to be moved to the front of the line - overheard a couple getting OCSAF (not sure what that is) or maybe it was ODSP application and was able to go to the front of the line, knock on door and to get into building. Security guards was respectful and gave good and realistic information. Said they will give out water and let you go use washroom if needed.

Was able to talk to some folks in line to make the pass by. Definitely need to bring a camping chair, water, snacks, a book to read because of the wait.

Overall, super long wait but expected at all service Canada offices right now but it was organized and once you get into the building it’s manageable wait time

When I arrived at this Markham Service Canada at 8: 30am (stated opening time) the line-up stretched across the building and all the way around, so about 50 people in line. The employees opened their doors 10 minutes later and the number of people they were processing was extremely slow. The security guard came out and told us the wait time would be 5-6 hours long, walked a few meters and told the people behind us they would have to wait 7 hours. So quite a number of people left the line.

By 10: 15am, three female employees walked out the side of the building, drove away and returned 20-30 minutes later holding their Timmies and McDonald drinks, while trying to avoid eye contact with those of us standing in line. When I spoke to the third employee leisurely walking back and holding her drink, she told me that she "wasn't not going to take her break. What? ! I'm entitled to it". She said ONE employee was processing the passports, so at that point I knew it was futile trying to have my passports processed that day. When we looked through the glass window, there was a staff standing behind the desk looking at her phone, with no customers in sight. It was an exciting morning seeing our tax money at work!

Always long line up, should allow more persons to enter the indoor area instead of waiting outside to stand for the wind and snow.

There were not enough staff inside. I was waiting at 8: 00 am in the morning, and then a staff told me that I needed to wait at least five hours to go in！！！

Experience was not so pleasant. We waited outside in bitter cold for passports renewal service for an hour. Basically, we had to leave empty handed. There was no movement at all and noone from working inside were kind enough to come out and ask for any quick Q&A.
We tried making an appointment through online portal, waited more than a week for someone to call, even though the site says someone will reach out in 2 days. Therefore, we had no choice but to walk-in in-person.
If you are going there, make sure to take camping gears with you.

This location is closed to walk-ins and requires an appointment, which takes two days just to get a response regarding appointment inquiry.

Fast, efficient and polite. We got our SIN number in no time, and the staff were super friendly. We arrived early, so I did not have to wait outside.

Have free place to parking but wear more clothes in winter, arrived on Tuesday 10am, waiting time is about 1 hour outside in cold wind

My wife and I, both seniors, visited the Centre on Tuesday 17 Nov 20. After finishing, we asked the security guard man if we can stay indoors, to wait for our vehicle to arrive. My wife is a wheel chair user and we are both old age. He refused and we had to wait outside in the cold and windy weather. The reception area was totally vacant at that time and it was inappropriate and unnecessary for us to wait in the cold.

Do not come here to get your child's passport done. The agent I had (old white guy) was very unprofessional, wrote a note on my file, and my application got rejected for my child's passport. The staff here is not professional, not knowledgeable and I would not come back here ever again to get any Passport done. I went to Passport Canada office in Scarborough later on and had no issues with getting my child's passport later. Got the passport within 2 weeks. I even sent Passport Canada my complaint letter regarding the bad experience with getting a Passport at this Service Canada Markham location. They called me & apologized fo rmy bad experience. Even Passport Canada says the agents at Service Canada are mostly not professional and so many applications got rejected. So don't go to Service Canada to get your passport done ever. Just go to Passport Canada to be safe! FYI, if your passport application gets rejected for whatver odd reason, they will not refund you the $$ you paid. So I would not take any risk by coming to Service Canada Markham in the future for Passports! Just go straight to Passport Canada in Scaborough, line up for 1 hr and you will get your passport way faster within 2 weeks. They are way more professional, knowledgeable and efficient!:)

I went there around 8: 45am to renew my documents. It was fast and It only took me 2 mins to wait for my turn. Mylene was helpful and friendly. I left there around 9: 05
The process was fast and smooth.

The reviews are correct, long waits and many booths with staff but hardly anyone serving. Once served, the lady was friendly and processed what we needed quickly. Be prepared for a long wait, but the staff are helpful.

This location is very quick and staff were very nice. The only issue was that being called to numbered booths were alittle quiet and I had to question if my name had been called or not. Other than that everything went amazingly well and wait times were only 20 minutes or so.

All employees relaxing like it’s a day in the park.none of them at there desks.one employee having conversations about clothing and Walmart with the consumer instead of doing things at a productive rate. If I can give negative 15 stars I would. You deserve an hourly salary of 5 dollars working here based on what these employees are doing. I hope this branch can be trained by the Yonge and sheppard location which has double the amount of people but it is 10x as efficient. Re training needed ASAP

I love this location! Twice in one month I had to come by. The wait times were surprisingly fast. First time there I waited for 15 minutes. The second time was five minutes! And the staff that dealt with my mom and I were great! We had alot of things that we needed to get done. There was a form i brought in but i forgot to bring in two pieces of documents for it. Instead of yelling and embarassing me, she pointed it out and told me to bring it with me next time. She didnt make a drama out of my mistake, like I've seen past Service employees do to other customers. Mistakes/forgetfulness happens! The employees were patient, understanding, informative and had the best customer service in a government office I've been to in ages! I used to go to Service Canada near Scarborough Town Centre, they are awful.

Lower efficiency than City Hall and Yonge&Sheppard locations. Very old-fashioned and unpleasant

They have 10 booths but only 5 agents, and out of that only 2 working, so you can imagine the line up.

A much better place to apply your passport. You don't need to wait for hours and staff are friendly. This is a receiving agent so is different from passport Canada. But if you can apply passport here, definitely choose this location.

March 26/2019,09: 00 am.
We just walk out from this place, the lady on booth #9 very very very unpleasant, just because she work in the government office?
Respect to people who can't speak English fluently, PLEASE!
We ask for any suggestions or comments box, there is one but no form to fill out.

Quick and speedy service unlike the other service ontario a block down the road. Asian lady was the best. Pretty nice too.

Sharmila is wonderful and so helpful, smiling all the time, forget about the older comments. These people are great! We finish our SIN card application within 20 minutes.including waiting for 10 minutes.

Closes half an hour early. We were from out of town closed when we got there at 12: 25 p.m. Very rude and ignorant person. I don't know about these reviews not like that at all.

The worst staff.my pictures for my passport got refused 3 times.so i went to the passport office and they said all 3 pictures are acceptable. Clearly the staff had no idea what they were talking about and wasted my time for 3 days going to different places to get new pictures. The entire staff clearly need a refresher course cause there lack of knowledge is embarrassing.