How to apply for a new passport

The forms and documents you need to submit may be different depending on where you are.

Flying in a few days or at the airport without a Canadian passport?

You can apply for a special authorization that, if approved, will allow you to board your flight with your valid non-Canadian passport.

This special authorization is available until January 31, 2017. See Dual Canadian citizens need a Canadian passport.

For future travel, make sure to travel with a Canadian passport. Apply soon. It can take time to get a Canadian passport.

If you live in Bermuda, American Samoa, the Midway Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, you should select the United States, as the same application steps apply to these countries.

Apply for a passport – adult in Canada

To apply for a passport, you must be a Canadian citizen and 16 years of age and over. Before you apply, answer a few questions or read the eligibility requirements to find out if you’re eligible to apply for a new passport or to renew your actual passport.

It’s important to know your travel date. If you are not traveling in the next month or so, you can submit your application by mail or visit one of the Passport offices, Service Canada or Canada Post receiving agent locations. If you need your passport within the next 20 days, you need to apply in person at one of the Passport office locations. Many locations also offer pick up, express and urgent service for an extra fee.

If you already have a passport, it will be cancelled and must be submitted with your application. A cancelled passport cannot be used for travel.

Are you also submitting an application for your child? Find out how to apply for a passport for your child.

  1. Complete the application form

    To save time, complete the form on your computer and then print it.
    Sign each page of the application.

    Complete the Adult General Passport Application form (PPTC 153).

  2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

    Include the following documents with your application form:

    Extra documents may need to be provided if you:

    All documents must be submitted in either French or English. If a document is in another language, an official translation must be provided.

  3. Find a guarantor and two references

    For new passport applications you will need to find a guarantor to sign your application, one of your passport photos and all copies of any supporting identity documents you are submitting with your application.

    You will also need two references to include on your application. Your references must have known you for at least two years. You cannot use a family member or your guarantor as a reference.

  4. Submit your application and pay your fees

    If you are applying by mail:

    Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

    Address for mail:

    Government of Canada
    Passport program
    Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0G3
    Canada

    If using a courier:

    Government of Canada
    Passport program
    22 de Varennes Street
    Gatineau, Quebec J8T 8R1
    Canada

    Paying your fees

    When applying by mail, you can pay by:

    • Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit card (prepaid cards are accepted), or
    • Certified cheque or money order (postal or bank) in Canadian funds, made payable to the "Receiver General for Canada". The exact fee must be specified.

    You will not receive a refund for the service fee if you:

    • cancel your application,
    • are refused a travel document, or
    • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, in cases where an individual has had multiple losses).

    Only the consular fee, which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

    Find out what the fees are for your passport application.

    If you are applying in person:

    Find a passport office or a receiving agent (Service Canada or Canada Post) closest to you.

    Note: Canada Post charges an extra $20 fee plus applicable taxes.

    When applying in person, you should submit your application yourself. If this is not possible, it may be submitted in person by someone else unless it is an urgent or express request (you must apply in person yourself for urgent or express service).

    You must be 16 years of age or older to submit an application in person.

    If you want your passport to be picked up in person, you need to pay the additional fee when you apply.

    New passports may be picked up by a third party if they provide written consent from the applicant, as well as valid identification.

    Paying your fees

    When applying in person, you can pay by:

    • Credit card or prepaid card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
    • Debit card (Interac)
    • Certified cheque or money order (postal or bank) in Canadian funds, made payable to the "Receiver General for Canada". The exact fee must be specified.

    Passport offices do not accept cash or personal cheques. Receiving agents (Service Canada and Canada Post) will accept cash (exact change only) but will not accept personal cheques.

    You will not receive a refund for the service fee if you:

    • cancel your application,
    • are refused a travel document, or
    • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, in cases where an individual has had multiple losses).

    Only the consular fee, which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

    Find out what the fees are for your passport application.

  5. Receiving your passport

    If you applied by mail, the passport (and any original documentation you submitted) will be returned to you by mail; and may be in two separate packages.

    If you applied in person and paid for a pick up service, the pick up date will be indicated on your receipt.

    You can send someone else to pick up your passport if they have valid identification and written authorization from you to do so.

Apply for a passport – adults in the United States

Governments of Canada consular offices in the United States do not provide passport services. You must send your application by mail.

If you happen to be in Canada, you can apply in person at a passport office or a receiving agent (Service Canada or Canada Post) and make arrangements to pick it up for an additional service fee or have the passport delivered to your address in the United States.

To apply for a passport, you must be a Canadian citizen and 16 years of age and over. Before you apply, answer a few questions or read the eligibility requirements to find out if you’re eligible to apply for a new passport or to renew your actual passport.

Urgent request

If you need a passport urgently or in exceptional circumstances (illness, death), contact the nearest Government of Canada passport issuing office abroad. Additional fees apply.

If you already have a passport, it will be cancelled and must be submitted with your application. A cancelled passport cannot be used for travel.

Are you also submitting an application for your child? Find out how to apply for a passport for your child.

  1. Complete the application form

    To save time, complete the form on your computer and then print it. Sign each page of the application.

    Complete the Adult General Passport Application form (PPTC 153).

    If you choose an occupation-based guarantor, complete the Adult General Passport Application Form [PPTC 140] instead.

  2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

    Include the following documents with your application form:

    Extra documents may need to be provided if you:

    All documents must be submitted in either French or English. If a document is in another language, an official translation must be provided.

  3. Find a guarantor and two references

    For new passport applications you will need to find a guarantor to sign your application, one of your passport photos and all copies of any supporting identity documents you are submitting with your application.

    You will also need two references  to include on your application. Your references must have known you for at least two years. You cannot use a family member or your guarantor as a reference.

  4. Submit your application and pay your fees

    If you are applying by mail:

    Applications must be sent by mail to our office in Canada. Using a certified courier or traceable mail service can reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

    By mail:

    Government of Canada
    Passport Program
    Gatineau QC K1A 0G3
    Canada

    By certified courier:

    Government of Canada
    Passport Program
    22 de Varennes Street
    Gatineau QC J8T 8R1
    Canada

    Paying your fees

    When applying by mail, you can pay by:

    • Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit card (prepaid cards are accepted), or
    • certified cheque or money order (postal or bank) in Canadian funds, made payable to the "Receiver General for Canada". The exact fee must be specified.

    You will not receive a refund for the service fee if you:

    • cancel your application,
    • are refused a travel document, or
    • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, in cases where an individual has had multiple losses).

    Only the consular fee, which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

    Find out what the fees are for your passport application.

    If you are applying in person in Canada:

    If you happen to be in Canada you can apply in person at a passport office or a receiving agent (Service Canada or Canada Post).

    When you apply in person, you can choose if you want the passport delivered to your address in the United States or you can pick it up for an additional service fee.

    If you choose to pick up your passport, you have to pick it up in person; nobody else can do it for you.

    Paying your fees

    When applying in person, you can pay by:

    • Credit card or prepaid card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
    • Debit card (Interac)
    • Certified cheque or money order (postal or bank) in Canadian funds, made payable to the "Receiver General for Canada". The exact fee must be specified

    Passport offices do not accept cash or personal cheques. Receiving agents (Service Canada and Canada Post) will accept cash (exact change only) but will not accept personal cheques.

    You will not receive a refund for the service fee if you:

    • cancel your application,
    • are refused a travel document, or
    • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, in cases where an individual has had multiple losses).

    Only the consular fee , which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

    Find out what the fees are for your passport application.

  5. Receiving your passport

    If you applied by mail, the passport (and any original documentation you submitted) will be returned to you or to your address in the United States by courier service; and may be in two different packages.

    If you applied in person in Canada and paid for a pick up service, the pick up date will be indicated on your receipt. You have to pick up your passport in person; nobody else can do it for you.

Apply for a passport – adults outside Canada and the United States

Submit your application to the nearest Government of Canada passport issuing office abroad.

If you happen to be in Canada, you can apply in person at a Passport office and a service fee will apply.

To apply for a passport you must be a Canadian citizen and 16 years of age and over. Before you apply, answer a few questions or read the eligibility requirements to find out if you’re eligible to apply for a new passport or to renew your actual passport.

Urgent request

If you need a passport urgently or in exceptional circumstances (illness, death), contact the nearest Government of Canada passport issuing office abroad. Additional fees apply.

If you already have a passport, it will be cancelled and must be submitted with your application. A cancelled passport cannot be used for travel.

Are you also submitting an application for your child? Find out how to apply for a passport for your child.

  1. Complete the application form

    To save time, complete the form on your computer and then print it. Sign each page of the application.

    Complete the Adult General Passport Application form (PPTC 040).

  2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

    Include the following documents with your application form:

    Extra documents may need to be provided if you:

    All documents must be submitted in either French or English. If a document is in another language, an official translation must be provided.

  3. Find a guarantor and two references

    For new passport applications you will need to find a guarantor to sign your application, one of your passport photos and all copies of any supporting identity documents you are submitting with your application.

    You will also need two references to include on your application. Your references must have known you for at least two years. You cannot use a family member or your guarantor as a reference.

  4. Submit your application and pay your fees

    Submit your application to the nearest Government of Canada passport issuing office abroad.

    If you are in Canada, you may apply in person at a Passport office, but you will be required to pick up your passport in person before you leave. You cannot apply at a Service Canada or Canada Post receiving agent.

    Paying your fees

    Fees and payment methods vary based on the exchange rate and local banking regulations. Contact the closest Government of Canada passport issuing office abroad to confirm fees and methods of payment.

    When you apply in person at a Government of Canada passport issuing office abroad, you can pay for your passport application by:

    • cash (where accepted – please confirm fee and accepted methods of payment with the nearest Government of Canada office abroad),
    • credit card (where accepted – please confirm fee and accepted methods of payment with the nearest Government of Canada office abroad), or
    • certified cheque, traveller’s cheque or international money order (postal or bank) made payable to the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate, as the case may be (where accepted – please confirm fee and accepted methods of payment with the nearest Government of Canada office abroad).

    If you pay by credit card, you will need to complete a Credit Card Authorization form to give permission to the Government of Canada to charge your credit card for your passport application.

    You will not receive a refund for the service fee if you:

    • cancel your application,
    • are refused a travel document, or
    • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, in cases where an individual has had multiple losses).

    Only the consular fee, which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

    Find out what the fees are for your passport application.

    If you are applying in person in Canada, you can pay by:

    • Credit card or prepaid card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
    • Debit card (Interac)
    • Certified cheque or money order (postal or bank) in Canadian funds, made payable to the "Receiver General for Canada". The exact fee must be specified

    Passport offices do not accept cash or personal cheques.

    You will not receive a refund for the service fee if you:

    • cancel your application,
    • are refused a travel document, or
    • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, in cases where an individual has had multiple losses).

    Only the consular fee, which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

    Find out what the fees are for your passport application.

  5. Receiving your passport

    The Government of Canada passport issuing office abroad where you applied will let you know when your passport is ready and give you instructions on when and how to pick it up.

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