Apply for Canadian Passport

Apply for Canadian Passport

When citizens of Canada want to travel abroad, they need to obtain a passport. To apply for a Canadian passport, you must be a Canadian citizen of 16 and more years old. Then, you need to follow several steps.

The first step is to complete the adult passport application form (PPTC 153). Before submitting the application, you need to read the instructions on how to apply for a Canadian passport at the end of the document. Additionally, if the term “mother’s surname” does not apply to you, you need to cross it out and write “parent’s surname at birth” on the form. Then, you ought to type the surname or last name at the birth of one of the parents in the field and write your initials in the margin. If you want to apply for a Canadian passport and make this process faster, you need to fill in the form on your computer and sign all pages.

The second step is to provide all the required documents and two photos for your passport. To apply for a Canadian passport, you need to submit the original document that proves your Canadian citizenship and a document to support your identity. If you are born in Canada, you can submit a birth certificate or a citizenship certificate. If you are born outside Canada, you can provide a certificate of naturalization, citizenship certificate, certificate of registration of birth abroad, or certificate of retention of Canadian citizenship.

To support your identity, you can provide your Canadian passport, driver’s license, health card, ID card, foreign passport, certificate of Indian status, military ID, non-driver’s license issued by a province or territory, or employee identification. The identity document must include your name, date of birth, photo, and signature. If the document does not have all the mentioned information, you may provide more than one document.

Whether you apply for a Canadian passport by mail or in person, you can provide original documents or their photocopies. The officer will return your original documents with your passport. However, if you want to provide photocopies of the documents, you need to copy both sides of the documents. Then, a guarantor has to sign and date each side. If you have a valid Canadian passport, refugee travel document or certificate of identity issued in your name, you should provide them too. The officer in charge will cancel it, and you will not be able to travel with an invalid passport or travel document.

To apply for a Canadian passport, you ought to submit two identical passport photos. Moreover, the photographer is required to write their name, address, and the date the photos were taken on the back of one of the photos. Your guarantor ought to sign the back of this photo too.

If you change your name, want to omit your place of birth, or update the gender identifier, you may need to provide additional documents. If you change your name, your proof of citizenship can have either your new name or your previous name. If you update your gender identifier, you must complete the PPTC 643 form (Request – Sex or gender identifier – Adult 16 years or older).

To apply for a Canadian passport, you are required to submit documents in English or French. If you need to provide documents in a foreign language, you need to add their official translation.

The third step is to find a guarantor and provide two references. To apply for a Canadian passport, you ought to ask the guarantor to sign your application, one of your passport photos, and all copies of the supporting identity documents. Your guarantor must have known you for at least two years, be a Canadian citizen 18 and more years old, provide the required information from their valid 5-year or 10-year Canadian passport, have been 16 years of age or older when they applied for their own passport, and be available if the officer needs to contact them. Your guarantor can be your family member if they meet all requirements. Additionally, you must include two references from people who have known you for at least two years, are 18 years of age or older, and agree to mention their names and contact information in your application. Nevertheless, your family members or guarantor cannot write the reference. Moreover, you must prove that you need to apply for a Canadian passport. You can submit a ticket, a travel itinerary, or a written statement that explains the reasons for traveling abroad.

The next step is to apply for a Canadian passport in person or by mail. If you want to submit the application in person, you need to book an appointment. To do this, you ought to complete the online Service Canada form, request an appointment for passport service, and click on obtain an in-person appointment service. Then, Service Canada will contact you to schedule the appointment. If you submit the application by mail, you must use a certified courier or traceable mail service. It will reduce the delivery time of your application and protect your documents. Also, you need to pay the processing fees that depend on what services you need. If you apply for a Canadian passport that is valid for five years, you need to pay 120 CAD. If you want to get a passport that is valid for ten years, you ought to pay 160 CAD. You can also pay for expedited services that are available when you submit the application in person. For instance, the urgent pickup by the end of the next working day costs 110 CAD, express pickup within 2-9 days costs 50 CAD, and if you want to obtain a passport after ten business days, you should pay 20 CAD.

You cannot pay the processing fees online. If you apply for a Canadian passport in person, you can pay with a debit card, credit card, prepaid card, certified cheque, or money order. If you submit the application by mail, you can complete the payment section on your application form with the information of your credit card, an embossed prepaid card, certified cheque, or money order. You cannot receive a refund for the service fee if you cancel your application, receive a travel document refusal, or obtain a passport for a shorter validity period than requested. Nevertheless, you can ask for a consular fee refund.

The last step is to obtain a passport. When you apply for a Canadian passport by mail, you may receive your passport and all original documents in two packages. If you are going abroad within 30 days of submitting your application and have not received your passport, you must contact Service Canada to update your mailing address. Nevertheless, if you have a community mailbox, you ought to check it first. When you apply for a Canadian passport in person and pay for pickup service, the date of obtaining it is indicated on your receipt. Moreover, you can send someone else to pick up your passport if they have valid identification and written authorization from you to do so.

The step-by-step process described above applies to Canadian citizens who live in the country. There are additional requirements if you live in the United States. Then, you must send your application for Canadian passport by mail to the office in Canada. Additionally, if you choose an occupation-based guarantor, you have to make sure that they meet all requirements and complete the PPTC 140 form instead of PPTC 153.

If you apply outside Canada or the United States, you need to complete the steps mentioned for the residents of Canada and apply for a Canadian passport at the nearest embassy or consulate. If you apply in person, the office contacts you to pick up your passport. Regardless of where you apply for a Canadian passport, you can check the status of your application online.

 

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