Applying for a passport

No. The simplified renewal process does not allow the Passport Program to conduct the required security checks for children less than 16 years of age.

Before issuing a passport to a child under 16, the Passport Program must verify the custody of, access to and mobility of the child in order to safeguard them against international abductions.

The simplified renewal process allows adults who were issued a passport in the last six (6) years (and do not need to change their name) to renew their passport using a shorter form and without resubmitting citizenship and ID documents. No guarantor is required on the form or photos.

The processing times and fees are the same for general and renewal applications.

Learn more about the simplified renewal process, including eligibility, what to submit with your application, and how you can apply.

You are eligible for simplified renewal if:

• you were at least 16 years of age at the time of your previous application;
• your name on the application form is exactly as it appears on page 2 of the submitted passport;
• you submit a previous Canadian passport that:
  • was/is valid for 5 or 10 years;
  • is not damaged;
  • was never reported lost or stolen; and
  • is still valid or expired for no more than one year.

Learn more about the simplified renewal process, including what to submit with your application and how you can apply.

Yes, but only in person at a passport office.

Additional fees apply.

If you are eligible for the simplified renewal process, you need only submit a completed renewal application form, your most recent passport (that is still valid or expired for less than one year), the required fee, and two recent photos. The new photos do not need to be signed by anyone. However, the name and address of the photographer or studio, as well as the date the photos were taken, must be provided on the back of one photo.

The application form is shorter and no guarantor declaration is required. Unlike the general application process, applicants applying through the renewal process do not need to submit proof of Canadian citizenship (birth certificate, citizenship card, etc.) or provide supporting identification.

The processing times are the same for all types of applications.

No. You must submit two new photos, but you do not need a guarantor or anyone else to sign them. A guarantor is not required under the simplified renewal process.

However, the name and address of the photographer or studio, as well as the date the photos were taken, must be provided on the back of one photo.

No. The processing time and cost are the same for either application.

The Passport Program uses your most recent passport to process your renewal application since you are not providing proof of citizenship, supplementary identification, or a guarantor declaration.

Your passport must have been issued in the last six (6) years and still be valid or expired for no more than one year.

No. You will need to apply using the general application to obtain a replacement passport.

The Passport Program will also need confirmation of what happened to the previous passport, so you will need to complete the Declaration concerning a lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found Canadian travel document.

If you submit a passport for renewal that contains a valid visa, you must:

• indicate on the application form that you want the passport returned to you, and
• advise us that the visa needs to remain intact (inform the agent verbally if you apply in person, or include a letter with an application submitted by mail or at a receiving agent).

The bar code allows the Passport Program to accelerate data entry and helps to reduce the number of errors. It is a digital version of the personal information you enter in section 1 of the passport application.

The information you enter in the fields below are included in the bar code:

• Surname (last name)
• Given name(s)
• Surname (last name) at birth
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Address of permanent residence
• Mailing address

The bar code changes into a big grey box when you enter more data than the bar code can contain. If this happens, continue to fill out the form and submit the application. The Passport Program personnel will enter the information manually.

If you apply using the simplified renewal application, you need to enclose any Canadian passport issued to you within the last six (6) years. If you would like the cancelled passport returned to you, you must indicate this on the application form in section 2. If you do not indicate your choice or do not want your passport back, the Passport Program will securely destroy the submitted passport.

If you apply using the general passport application, you do not need to return an expired passport or travel document.

Yes, but you must submit the original document(s) AND an acceptable translation of the document in English or French.

The translation must be done by a certified translator (it must include the translator's stamp or membership number within a professional translation association).

If the accuracy of the translation is questionable, we can request a new translation. See translation requirements for more information.

Yes. You must photocopy both sides of the document, and have your guarantor sign and date all of the photocopies to indicate that he or she has seen the originals. You can also submit the original document and it will be returned to you. If you are applying in person, the agent may review your document and return it to you.

Yes, you must submit your valid passport with your application for a new one. You can even use a previous Canadian passport as supporting identification as long as:

• The passport is still valid or has expired within the past year;
• The original passport is submitted (photocopies will not be accepted); and
• The name indicated on the passport and the application are the same.

Yes, if you apply using the general passport application. Signed photocopies of your proof of citizenship are not accepted.

This requirement is stipulated in the Canadian Passport Order, which governs passport issuance. All documents submitted by mail with your application will be returned to you upon once they have been verified. If you are applying in person at a passport office, you may not need to surrender your document.

If you qualify for the Simplified Renewal Process you do not need to submit your original proof of citizenship.

Yes, your photos must be taken by a commercial photographer. On the back of one photo, the photographer must stamp the name and complete address of the photo studio and the date the photo was taken.

Also on the back of one photo, your guarantor must clearly write: "I certify this to be a true likeness of (applicant's name)" and sign his or her name. The guarantor certification is not required if you are renewing a passport.

Also, the two (2) identical passport photos must have been taken within the last 6 months.

Child photos must follow the same rules as for all passport photos; however, we recognize the difficulty in obtaining a neutral expression of a newborn and will allow for some tolerance in this regard. Photos must show the child's head and shoulders only. The parent's hands or arms must not be seen in the picture.

For newborn babies, the photo may be taken while the child is sitting in a car seat, as long as a white blanket is placed over the seat behind the child's head. There must be no shadows on the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.

Yes. Photos can be in colour or in black and white.

Glasses, including tinted prescription glasses, can be worn as long as the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare in the glasses. Sunglasses or photos where there is the red-eye effect are not acceptable.

The photographer must write the name and complete address of the photo studio and the date the photo was taken on the back of one photo.

Please consult our fees for:

• Canadians in Canada
• Canadians in the United States
• Canadians abroad
• Non-Canadians in Canada

Yes. You must apply in person at a passport office to request expedited service as follows:

• Pick-up service: 10 business days (additional fee of $20)
• Express service: 2 to 9 business days (additional fee of $50)
• Urgent service: within 24 hours (additional fee of $110)

Proof of travel is required for urgent service; it may also be requested for express service. Some examples of proof of travel are: an airline, bus or train ticket; a travel itinerary showing proof of payment; or a written statement, if travelling by car (acceptance is at the discretion of the passport officer).

If you plan to travel within the next 20 business days, please apply in person at a passport office.

Canadians outside Canada requiring urgent travel services must contact the nearest Canadian government office abroad.

Please do not contact us. A passport officer will contact you if a new credit card is required for your passport application.

No. All forms are available free of charge through this website or at any passport office. If you need help filling out your application form or with any part of the application and filing process, please contact us.

When applying in person, we recommend that you submit your application yourself. However, if this is not possible, the application may be submitted by a third party provided they:

• show identification,
• are 16 years of age or older,
• and are your:
  • parent,
  • child,
  • parent's spouse or common-law partner,
  • child's spouse or common-law partner,
  • brother or sister,
  • half-brother or half-sister,
  • stepbrother or stepsister,
  • spouse or common-law partner,
  • or are relatives of your spouse or common-law partner, including their:
    • parent,
    • child,
    • parent's spouse or common-law partner,
    • child's spouse or common-law partner,
    • brother or sister,
    • half-brother or half-sister,
    • stepbrother or stepsister.

The people in the list above may or may not reside at the same address as you. In all cases, the person must provide identification. If the identification does not prove that the person lives with you, he or she must also bring a written statement signed by you, authorizing him or her to submit your passport application.

Any relative residing at your address can also submit an application on your behalf provided that they:

• are 16 years of age or older, and
• show identification confirming their place of residence. If the identification shown does not contain an address, further documentation to establish that the person resides at the same address as you will be required.

We do not accept urgent or express applications submitted by a third party.

Submission differs depending on where you are submitting the application:

• In Canada
• In the USA
• Abroad

When the passport application for a child under 16 is submitted, the applicant is the parent, not the child. That means the child does not need to be present when the parent submits the application.

A child under the age of 16 cannot submit an application.

No. Once a passport officer has examined your documents, they will be given back to you.

In Canada: passports are delivered by Canada Post courier service. If you apply in person at a passport office, you can also choose to pick up your passport (additional fee applies).

In the United States: passports are delivered by a private courier service.

Abroad: contact your nearest Government of Canada office.

You may submit your passport application by mail or courier. We recommend that you use courier services to reduce the delivery time of your application.

Yes, you may send the applications together in one envelope. Please place each application in their own smaller envelopes to ensure that the photos and any supporting documents stay with the proper application. You may provide one payment to cover all of the applications that are being submitted together.

Please consult our processing times for:

• Canadians in Canada
• Canadians in the US
• Canadians abroad
• Non-Canadians in Canada

Canadians in Canada can access urgent and express service by applying at a passport office. Learn more about the requirements and fees for these services.

Canadians in the US or abroad should contact the nearest Government of Canada office.

Proof of travel is required for urgent service. It may also be requested for express service.

Some examples of proof of travel are:

• An airline, bus or train ticket,
• A travel itinerary showing proof of payment,
• A written statement, if traveling by car (the validation of the statement is at the Passport Officer's discretion).

Some restrictions apply.