As an added service to its members who are Canadian citizens and working or student journalists, the CAJ is pleased to offer a Photo ID Press Accreditation card.

The front of the card will bear the member's name, photo, membership number, expiry date, an authorizing signature and the name and title of the authorizing person. The back will have a message in English and French outlining that the bearer is recognized as a professional journalist and is a member in good standing of the Canadian Association of Journalists. There will be a request as well for all possible assistance to this person in the performance of his or her journalistic duties. The back of the card will also have specific contact information to allow for the verification of the card holder name and number. Cards for student journalists will be marked "Student".

Here's a sample, in general terms, of what the front of the card might look like:

(Note: to preserve the authenticity of the CAJ Press Card, the illustration is a generic representation only. Actual layout, fonts and some text may differ from this sample.)

The cost is $30.00 or $10 for a student card. The expiry date of the card is the same as the expiry date of your CAJ membership.

You application for the CAJ Press Card must include the following:

1. Your CAJ membership card number OR the date of your current application for membership if not already a CAJ member



2. Proof of Canadian citizenship or of permanent resident status in Canada: a photocopy of a) the signature and photo page of a valid Canadian passport b) or of one of the documents listed here c) or of a permanent resident card. Photocopies must show registration number of document, as well as signature of holder and photo of holder, if the document includes those elements.
   
   
3. Fee of $30.00 for the professional ID or $10 for the student version - cheque or money order only



4. One (1) passport photo (size and quality suitable for a Canadian passport)



5. One (1) letter of accreditation (on letterhead) from your current employer or assigning editor OR three (3) samples of published or broadcast work from the previous year (within 12 months of date of application for press card) and two (2) letters of professional reference (former employer, journalism professor or other credible referee)

Send all material to:

CAJ Press Card Accreditation
The Canadian Association of Journalists
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Avenue, B224
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8

If you are already a CAJ member and all the documentation accompanying your application is order, it will take a minimum of 30 days to process your application after it has been received.

Note that this is the minimum processing time. Your application could take longer to process if:

• Not all the required documentation is included with your application
• The CAJ Board requires clarification regarding the application or accompanying documentation
• There is a problem processing your payment
• You are not already a CAJ member and are applying for CAJ membership at the same time as you are applying for a CAJ Press Card.

Approvals are granted only to those applicants who, in the judgement of the CAJ Board , meet all the specified criteria. The decision of the CAJ Board is final.