Canadian Passport Application

To apply for a Canadian passport, you must be a Canadian citizen, have proof of citizenship, and be 16 years of age or older.

You will need to provide proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or a Canadian Citizenship certificate.

In addition to proof of citizenship, you’ll need to provide one piece of valid ID issued by a federal, provincial, territorial, or state government.

Your piece of ID needs to include:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Photo
• Signature

You can combine IDs if one does not contain all the required information.

IDs you can use:

• Driver’s license
• Health card
• Military ID
• Foreign passport
• Government-issued ID card
• Old (expired) passport

Documents from a foreign country need to be in English or French; otherwise, you must provide an official translation.

You must also include two identical passport photos taken within the past six months. One of them must be certified by your guarantor.

In Canada, passport photos must meet specific requirements to be accepted by Passport Canada.

The passport photo must be in color and must be square-shaped, with a minimum size of 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2¾ inches high). Your face must be visible in the photo, and you must be facing the camera directly. You must also have a neutral expression, and your eyes must be open. Your photo must be in line with the passport photo requirements.

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary documentation, you’ll need to complete the appropriate forms. The form you’ll need to fill out depends on whether you’re applying for a new passport or renewing an existing one. You can download these forms on the Government of Canada website. Or pick one up at a Passport Canada Office, Service Canada Centre, or a participating post office.

You must fill out all three pages of the application and sign within the past 12 months of the time you apply. The application also needs to be certified by your guarantor.

Once your application has been filled out, and all required documentation has been gathered, it’s time to submit it along with payment proof to Passport Canada.

You can submit your application in person, or by mail, depending on the time frame you are requesting to have your passport issued.

You can submit your application in person or by mail at any passport program office or Service Canada Centre.

Any original documents will be returned to you.

The issuance of emergency passports is a procedure that should only be used in genuine emergencies. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to travel urgently but you do not have a valid passport, you may be able to get an Emergency Canadian Passport. This type of passport is issued on a case-by-case basis and is valid for the duration of your travel or a period of up to one year.

To be eligible for an Emergency Canadian Passport, you must be able to demonstrate that you have a legitimate, urgent need to travel and that you will be able to submit the required documentation. If you meet these criteria, you can apply for an Emergency Canadian Passport by visiting a passport office or contacting them by phone or email.

With this service, you can get an urgent passport in two business days, an express pick-up passport in two to nine business days, or an emergency weekend or statutory holiday passport. Extra fees may apply.

Contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad and request emergency assistance if you are outside Canada.

When you are issued a temporary emergency passport, you should sign a temporary passport exchange agreement.

This agreement outlines when you will need a regular passport (which should be within 60 days of signing the agreement) and the exchange location (which you can’t change).

You can exchange it by mail or in person at a passport issuing authority office and a $20 fee applies.

Make sure to use traceable mail when sending passports or other important documents in the mail.

If you’re applying for a child’s passport, they must be under 16 years of age. If they are 16 or 17, they must sign the application themselves.

In addition to the child’s birth certificate, you’ll also need proof of parental relationship if you’re not the child’s biological parent or legal guardian.

There are also additional requirements that must be met when applying for a child’s passport. For example, both parents or legal guardians must sign the application form and consent to passport issuance.

In addition, guarantors for children under 16 years of age must personally know both parents or legal guardians to sign the application form.

The parent or legal guardian applying for the passport on the child’s behalf cannot be their guarantor. However, the other parent or legal guardian can be as long as they meet the regular guarantor requirements.

Processing times can vary depending on how you submit your application and whether or not you request expedited service (an additional fee applies).

Processing time may also take longer if the applicant does not meet all requirements or if additional information is required.

Two business days

If you need your passport within two business days, you must apply at a passport office that provides urgent pick-up passport services. This service is a walk-in service only (no appointments). Don’t go to a regular Canada Service Centre.

You will need to provide proof that you need the passport. This could be a plane, bus, or train ticket, your travel itinerary showing evidence of the dates that you will be traveling, or a written statement explaining why you need to travel.

Extra fees apply for this service.

3 to 45 business days

If you need your passport within 3 to 45 business days, you can make an appointment or walk into a passport office. Don’t go to a regular Canada Service Centre.

You will need to provide proof that you need the passport. This could be a plane, bus, or train ticket, your travel itinerary showing proof of the dates that you will be traveling, or a written statement explaining why you need to travel.

Extra fees apply for this service.

46 business days or more

If you need your passport in 46 business days or more, you can make an appointment, walk into a regular Service Canada Centre, or apply by mail. Don’t go to a passport office.

Regular Fees

Regular 5-year adult passport – CAD 120

10-year adult passport – CAD 160

5-year child passport – CAD 57

Outside of Canada Fees

Regular 5-year adult passport – CAD 190

10-year adult passport – CAD 260

5-year child passport – CAD 100

All prices are in Canadian dollars and do not include applicable taxes. You can pay by credit card or debit card. Cash or cheques are not accepted.

Express Processing Extra Fees

Urgent pickup at a Passport Canada office (2 business days) – CAD 110

Express pickup (2 to 9 business days) – CAD 50

Standard pick-up (on or after 10 business days) – CAD 20

Weekend or statutory holiday – $355

Other Additional Fees

Additional Fees for Lost, Stolen, and Damaged Passports – $45

Certified True Copy of a page of your passport – $45

File transfer to a different passport office – $45

Once your application has been processed, and your fees paid, you will receive your new passport by mail. It is important to note that if you are planning to travel within two weeks, you should apply in person at a Passport Canada office to expedite the process.

If you have recently applied for a Canadian passport and were charged an incorrect fee, or if your application was canceled for some reason, you may be able to receive a refund. The amount of the refund depends on the circumstances of your application.

You must send a letter to the Passport Canada office in Gatineau, Quebec, to request a refund. The letter should include:

• Your name, address, and telephone number
• The reason for your request
• Details of the fees you paid (including the date and amount)
• A copy of your passport application form (if possible)
• A copy of your payment receipt (if possible)

Send the letter to:

Passport Canada

Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0G3

Canada

There is no specific form or template that you must follow when writing this letter. However, it is essential to be as detailed as possible so that Passport Canada can adequately assess your situation.

Please note that applications sent between April 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, aren’t eligible for fee refunds according to the Service Fees Act.

For adults, passports are valid for five to ten years from the date of issue.

Passports for children under the age of 16 are valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 16, whichever comes first.

Emergency passports are valid for the duration of the travel or a period of up to a year.

It’s essential to care for your passport. When you receive it, please read the information page on how to keep it in good condition.

Please keep it in a dry and safe place. Even though it meets specific durability standards, it can still get damaged. If you report lost, stolen, or damaged passports continuously, you might face restrictions when applying for a new one.

Please note that if you report a lost or stolen passport, you won’t be able to use that passport again, even if it’s found at a later time.

Canadian citizens traveling to the United States by land or sea do not need to present a passport when crossing the border. Instead of a passport, they can also present an original or a copy of a birth certificate or an original Canadian citizenship certificate.

However, all travelers to the US by air, including Canadian citizens, must present a passport.

Canada refuses, revokes, cancels, and suspends Canadian passports for various reasons set out in the Canadian Passport Order. One common reason passports are canceled or suspended is because the holder owes money to the Canadian government.

Other reasons for passport refusal, revocation, cancellation, or suspension include criminal convictions, fraudulent activity, immigration violations, and national security concerns.

If your passport is canceled or suspended, you may be able to appeal the decision. You must file a written request with the Passport Office to appeal a cancellation or suspension. A senior official will review the appeal and will decide on the matter. If you are not satisfied with the decision of the senior official, you may have the option to seek judicial review by filing a lawsuit in court.