Passport Information
A passport is an essential document that serves as identification and proof of citizenship. It allows individuals to travel internationally, work in foreign countries, and obtain various government services.
Individuals may face significant challenges when attempting to cross international borders or prove their citizenship without a passport. Therefore, it is essential to understand the process of obtaining and maintaining a Canadian passport.
Here we will guide readers through the process of obtaining and maintaining a Canadian passport, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and travel regulations.
Eligibility for a Canadian Passport
To be eligible for a Canadian passport, an individual must be a Canadian citizen. Canadian citizenship can be obtained through birth or naturalization. Individuals born in Canada or abroad to Canadian parents may be eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent.
Individuals not born in Canada or to Canadian parents must apply for Canadian citizenship through the naturalization process.
Valid Proof of Canadian Citizenship
To apply for a Canadian passport, individuals must provide valid proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship.
Age Criteria for Adult and Child Passports
There are specific age criteria for obtaining adult and child passports. Adults (16 years and older) can apply for a regular five-year or ten-year passport. Children (15 years and younger) can apply for a five-year child passport.
How to Apply for a New Canadian Passport
To apply for a new Canadian passport, individuals must complete the appropriate application form, provide supporting documents, and pay the application fee. The application process can be completed in person, by mail, or online.
Adults can apply for a new passport in person at a Passport Canada office or Service Canada location, by mail, or online (if eligible).
Parents or guardians must apply for a child’s passport on behalf of the child in person at a Passport Canada office or Service Canada location or by mail.
Requirements Checklist
- All three (3) pages of the application form completed and signed within the last twelve (12) months and certified by the guarantor
- Two (2) identical and unaltered passport photos taken within the last six (6) months, one (1) certified by the guarantor
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (original only); the document will be returned to you
- Document(s) to support identity (original or copies); copies must be signed and dated by your guarantor
- Any valid Canadian travel document (passport, certificate of identity or refugee travel document) issued to you
- The fee
Application Fees (In Canada)
The application fee for a new Canadian passport varies depending on the type of passport and processing time.
Passport Type | Fee |
5-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | CAN 120 |
10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) CAN 160 | CAN 160 |
Child passport (0 to 15 years of age) | CAN 57 |
Applications for passports submitted and mailed in Canada are subject to these fees.
Additional fees
- Depending on your situation, you may have to pay additional fees
- To replace a passport that has been lost or stolen
- Express processing (only available at passport offices if you apply in person)
- Standard pickup at a passport office
- Other administrative services
Expedited services fees (available only in person)
Expedited services | CAN $ |
Urgent pickup (by the end of the next business day) | 110 |
Express pickup (within 2 to 9 business days) | 50 |
Standard pickup (on or after 10 business days) | 20 |
Weekend or Statutory Holiday
This service is only
| 355 |
Other Services
Services | CAN$ |
Additional administrative fee for replacing a valid lost or stolen passport | 45 |
A certified true copy of one page of a passport (1 to 3 copies) | 45 |
File transfer (to a different passport office in Canada) | 45 |
Passport Fee for Canadians Living Outside of Canada
Passport Type | Fee |
5-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | CAN 190 |
10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) CAN 160 | CAN 260 |
Child passport (0 to 15 years of age) | CAN 100 |
How to Submit the Application
You can apply for a Canadian passport using the following three methods.
1. In-Person Submission
To submit an application in-person, individuals must make an appointment at a Passport Canada office or Service Canada location.
2. Mail-in Submission
To apply by mail, individuals must send the completed application form and supporting documents to Passport Canada.
3. Online Submission (if applicable)
To apply online, individuals must be eligible and create an account on the Government of Canada website.
Application Processing Times and Expediting Options
The processing time for a new Canadian passport varies depending on the type of passport and the processing option selected. Expediting options are available for an additional fee.
Renewing an Existing Canadian Passport
If you have a Canadian passport that is about to expire or has already expired, you should apply for a renewal as soon as possible.
It is recommended that you apply for renewal at least six months before your passport’s expiration date, as some countries require visitors to have at least six months of validity on their passports to enter.
The renewal process for a Canadian passport is fairly straightforward. You can apply for a renewal online, by mail, or in person at a passport office or Service Canada location.
The application requires you to provide information about yourself, your previous passport, and your citizenship. You will also need to provide a passport photo that meets specific requirements.
Documents Required For Renewal
To renew your Canadian passport, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Your previous Canadian passport
- A passport photo that meets specific requirements
- Your completed passport application form
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if you were born outside of Canada)
- Any relevant legal documents (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree) if your name has changed since your last passport application
Payment can be made by credit card (online or in person), debit card (in person), certified cheque or money order (by mail), or cash (in person).
Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Canadian Passport
If your Canadian passport has been lost or stolen, you should report it to the Government of Canada immediately. You can do this online or by calling the Passport Program’s toll-free number at 1-800-567-6868. Reporting a lost or stolen passport will help protect you against identity theft and fraud.
Replacing a damaged passport
If your Canadian passport has been damaged, you may need to replace it. If the damage is minor, such as a torn cover or a loose page, you may still be able to use your passport for travel. However, if the damage is more severe, such as water damage or a missing page, you must replace your passport.
Required documents for replacement
To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Canadian passport, you will need to provide the following documents:
- A completed passport application form
- Your passport photo that meets specific requirements
- A police report (if your passport was stolen)
- Any relevant legal documents (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree) if your name has changed since your last passport application
- A signed statement explaining how your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
Replacement fees and processing times
The fees for replacing a Canadian passport are the same as those for renewing a passport. Standard processing times for a replacement passport are typically 20 business days. You can choose to expedite your application for an additional fee:
- Express service (10 business days): $110
- Urgent service (2-9 business days): $190
Please note that processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications being processed. Visit the Government of Canada’s Passport website for more information on replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged Canadian passport.
Traveling with a Canadian Passport
As a Canadian passport holder, you have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 185 countries worldwide, including popular destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and many others.
However, some countries do require Canadians to obtain a visa before arrival. It is important to check the entry requirements for your destination country before you travel.
Passport Validity Rules for International Travel
Many countries require visitors to have at least six months of validity on their passports to enter. It is important to check the entry requirements for your destination country and ensure that your passport will still be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date.
Smart Tips for Keeping Your Passport Safe While Traveling
Your passport is one of the most important documents you will carry while traveling. Here are some smart tips for keeping it safe:
- Keep your passport in a secure location, such as a hotel safe or a money belt
- Make a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from your actual passport
- Consider purchasing a passport cover to protect your passport from damage
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep your passport out of sight when not needed
- If you lose your passport while traveling, report it immediately to the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.
NEXUS card and other trusted traveler programs for Canadians
As a Canadian passport holder, you may be eligible for the NEXUS program, which allows for expedited clearance at border crossings between Canada and the United States.
Other trusted traveler programs available to Canadians include Global Entry and SENTRI. These programs require a separate application and fee, and eligibility requirements vary.
Please visit the Government of Canada’s Travel website for more information on traveling with a Canadian passport, including visa requirements and trusted traveler programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name changes on a passport
If your name has changed since your last passport application, you must provide legal documentation to support the name change. This may include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Child custody and consent issues
If you are traveling with a child and you are not the child’s parent or legal guardian, you may need to provide additional documentation to show that you have the necessary consent to travel with the child.
Special circumstances (e.g., dual citizenship, refugee travel documents)
If you have dual citizenship or hold a refugee travel document, there may be additional requirements or restrictions when applying for a Canadian passport.
Passport Validity: The Question That Ruins Trips
A passport that has not expired is not automatically a passport you can travel on. Many countries require a cushion of remaining validity beyond your return date, and airlines enforce it at check-in because they are penalised if they carry you and you are refused entry.
| Situation | What it usually means for you | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Expires in more than a year | Comfortable for almost any destination. | Nothing. Just confirm the name matches your booking exactly. |
| Expires within six months of your return | A very common requirement is validity of six months beyond arrival, so this is the danger zone. | Check the rule for your destination and renew before booking if there is any doubt. |
| Expires while you are away | You will almost certainly be refused boarding. | Renew first. Do not book travel around a passport that runs out mid-trip. |
| Damaged, water marked or torn | A damaged passport can be rejected even if the dates are fine. | Have it replaced. Border officers and airlines both refuse documents they cannot verify. |
| No blank pages left | Some countries need a free page for their entry stamp. | Renew before a trip to a destination that still stamps passports. |
| Name changed since it was issued | Your ticket must match the passport, not your current legal name if the two differ. | Book in the name shown in the passport, and update the passport when convenient. |
The rule belongs to your destination, not to us. Validity requirements, blank page requirements and entry conditions are set by each country and change from time to time. Verify them with the official authority for your destination, and tell us your passport expiry date when you book so we can flag an obvious problem before you pay.
Which Travel Document Applies To You
| Your status | Document usually needed for air travel | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian citizen | A valid Canadian passport. | Adults can hold a five or ten year passport, while children are issued shorter validity, so family documents expire at different times. |
| Dual citizen | Canadian citizens are generally expected to travel on their Canadian passport to and from Canada. | Your other nationality may still be relevant for entry to a third country, so mention both when you book. |
| Permanent resident of Canada | Your foreign passport, plus a valid PR card or travel document to return. | Airlines check your right to enter Canada before boarding, so an expired PR card causes problems abroad, not on departure. |
| Visitor to Canada | Your passport plus whatever entry authorisation your nationality requires. | The authorisation is normally tied to the passport it was issued against, so a renewed passport can mean a new application. |
| Student or worker in Canada | Passport plus your permit and supporting documents. | Check that your permit remains valid for your whole trip, including the return date. |
| Child or infant | Every child needs their own passport for international air travel, whatever their age. | If one parent travels without the other, carry a consent letter and proof of the relationship. |
Look After It While You Travel
- Photograph the identification page and store the image somewhere you can reach without your phone, such as an email to yourself.
- Carry the passport in the cabin with you, never in a checked bag, and never leave it in a hire car or a hotel safe you cannot easily return to.
- Book in the exact name printed in the passport, including middle names where the airline asks for them. Nicknames cause problems at the desk.
- Keep entry stamps and cards you are given. Some countries ask for them again when you leave.
- If it is lost or stolen abroad, report it to local police and contact the nearest Canadian government office immediately, then call us so we can look at your flights.
- Renew earlier than you think you need to. Processing times lengthen sharply before peak travel seasons.
Please note: Get Air Line is an independent travel booking service. We are not a government agency, we cannot issue or renew passports, and nothing here is legal or immigration advice. Passport rules and processing are handled by the issuing government, and entry decisions rest with border officers at your destination.
Worried your passport is too close to expiry?
Tell us the destination and your expiry date before you book. We would rather flag it now than see you turned away at check-in.
Call +1 226-793-2017