The passport address is very important because it’s the place where you will receive the notice. We have to ensure the passport contains accurate information, such as your name, date of birth, and most importantly, your address, which can help to prevent any complications that may arise during your travels. However, sometimes the address on the passport needs to be updated.
What can you do if your passport address is incorrect due to your carelessness or because you have moved to another place? Do you have to apply for a new passport? Actually, if you want to change the passport address in Canada is much simpler than you thought. In this passage, we will share the methods about how to change the passport address in Canada.
When the passport address can be changed in Canada?
A passport address change in Canada can be only allowed when the passport is still valid or your application is in processing. Otherwise, you need to apply for a new passport instead just change the address. In 2016, the Government of Canada applied a new method by which applicants can update their residential information. For Canadians who live or travel abroad, they can also use the same method to change their passport address. However, for disabled people, the whole process should be finished by their legal caretakers or a person they delegate. So here comes another question: how to change the passport address?
How to change the passport address?
Before making a change to the passport address, one important thing needs to be done is to check the passport validity. Canadian citizens must ensure that they have a currently valid passport. If their passports are invalid and want to change the passport address, what they should do is to apply for a new passport or renew the passport.
image resource: Canada.ca
For Canadian people, if they want to change the passport address, they don’t have to appear in the passport office as long as their passports are still valid. You just need to prepare a pen. You can change the passport address by following the tips below.
(1)Open up the valid Canadian passport to page 4 (four).
(2)Look for the address section and verify that the current one is wrong which should be changed.
(3)Take a non-erasable blue or black pen; do not use correction fluid. It will not work properly due to the passport material, and it will not be possible to see the previous information.
(4)Cross out the old address and postal code.
(5)Write the new address next to the old one. If there isn’t enough space on the page, write the new address on a separate piece of paper or more pages and insert it into the valid Canadian passport on page 4 (four) with the date modified and sign it with your name and surname.
Can a minor change the passport address?
The answer to this question is yes. A child can change the passport address themselves or finish it with the support of their parents. For minors under the age of 16, their passports have to be applied by their parents or legal guardians. Under this situation, only the legal guardian can request a change of address.When a minor reaches the age of 16 or 17, he or she may apply for a passport on his or her own. However, if the minor still lives with a guardian, a change of address still requires written consent from the guardian. For any passport change requested by someone other than the biological parents, they have to show the court orders to prove their legal custody of the minor.
What other information of the passport can be changed?
Name Change
If you are planning to change your name, you have to make sure that all your documents must be issued with the same name including your passport. If you have changed your name in all your other documents that identify you, you also need to change your name on your passport as well. People in Canada may change their name due to different reasons. It mainly includes:
(1) Spelling mistakes
(2) Get married
(3) Change their name legally
1. Name change Due to Spelling mistakes
If you just spelled your name wrongly in the passport, what you should do is to contact the passport office immediately. This is one of the most severe errors. You have to fix it before use. You will have to fill an application and provide the information they need.
2. Name change Due to Getting married
If you get married, you need to apply for a new passport with changed surname and relationship status (married). The documents you need to provide as part of a renewal of an identity:
(1) Marriage certificate
(2) Common-law relationship certificate
3. Name change Due to Changing their name legally
Any Canadian above the age of 18 can change their name legally. In this case, you will have to apply for a new passport. You need to prepare extra materials to prove that you have changed your name legally. You need prepare:
(1) All the materials for a new passport (Adult passport)
(2) A Canadian birth certificate (with the new name)
(3) A Canadian citizenship certificate (with the new name)
Gender Marker
Except for the name change, people may want to change their gender identifier on the passport. Actually, the Canadian passport has three options for the gender: female, male and another gender. You need to provide supporting documents when you choose or update your gender identifier. Any of the following is acceptable only if it can prove your gender. They are:
(1) proof of citizenship
(2) proof of immigration status
(3) a previous passport
However, if the above materials can not provide the gender identifier you want, you nee to apply complete a gender identifier request form with your new application.
Appearance Changed
If your appearance has changed, you have to apply for a new passport since the passport photo has to be changed. You need to apply for the passport with a new photo which can reflect your current real look so that the facial recognition can be smooth.
Conclusion
For Canadian people, they can make a change to their passport address only if the passport is still valid. Otherwise, they have to apply for a new one. Except for changing the passport address, people also can change the name or the gender marker on the passport with the necessary documents. We strongly advise you to pay attention to your personal information when applying for the passport to avoid unnecessary headache. We hope the tips we shared above can help you a lot.
Erin Lo