As we all know, if Canadian citizens want to travel aboard, they need to obtain a passport, the popular international travel document. Just like passports in other countries, you need to follow the strict requirements while applying for your first Canadian passport. In this article, we will show you all about applying for a Canadian passport.
How to Apply for a Canadian Passport
1. Complete the form
First, you must download and complete the Adult Passport Application (PPTC 153). To save time, you can finish it on your computer. You need to sign each page of the application and enter your email address inside to easily check the status of your application online. In addition, you need to make sure that every information you fill out is correct and true. Don’t forget to tell them which validity of passport you want, a 5 or 10 year passport, when you fill out under section 4 of the form.
2. Prepare all necessary documents and get your passport photos
Of course, before you apply for a passport, you must first collect the following documents to prove your Canadian citizenship.
- Proof of Canadian citizenship
It can be a birth certificate or citizenship certificate. If it is a paper certificate, it must be the original document, not a photocopy. After they verify the reality, they will send it back to you. If it is an e-certificate, you must attach a printed copy.
- Any valid Canadian passport or other travel document
It may be a refugee travel document or a certificate of identity issued to you.
- A document to support your identity
This can be a photocopy or the original. If you want to use a photocopy, make sure to show both sides and have it signed and dated by your guarantor.
- 2 identical passport photos
Applicants must write their name, full address, photo date, and guarantor’s signature on the back of this photo.
- Additional documentation if you have the following situations:
You changed your name.
You are replacing a lost, stolen or damaged passport.
You are updating the gender identifier on your passport.
According to the rules, all your documents must be in English or French. If any document is in another language, you must provide an official translation.
3. Find 2 references
During the passport application process, you must find 2 references to confirm your identity. They must meet the following requirements:
- They must be 18 years of age or older.
- They must have known you for at least 2 years.
- They can’t be family members.
- They allow you to use their name and contact information for your application.
Also, if possible, make sure your references are available when government officials need to contact them at any time. For example, it could delay your application, if they’re in a different time zone, because it may take longer to contact them.
Apart from the references, you may need a guarantor for your first time passport application, or you aren’t eligible to renew your passport. Your guarantor can be anyone, including a family member or a member of your household, as long as they meet these requirements.
- The guarantor has known you for at least 2 years.
- The guarantor should be available if officials need to contact them.
- The guarantor must be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older.
- The guarantor must hold a 5-year or 10-year Canadian passport.
- The guarantor must be a member of one of these occupational groups: mayor, pharmacist, postmaster, optometrist, nurse practitioner, dentist, medical, veterinary, etc.
4. Submit your application
There are different ways to submit your passport application.
- Make an appointment online
You can book your appointment online in 30 minutes. Choose how urgent you need the passport and fill in your personal contact information, and choose an appropriate time, date and location to book an appointment. During the scheduled day, you must bring your biometric instruction letter with your application number and other required documents used in your application.
image resource: eServiceCanada
Besides that, if you need a passport within the next 2 business days or if you have a travel date and no appointment is available, you can visit a specialized passport site (Service Canada Centre – Passport Service) which offers an urgent pick-up service. But you need to provide proof of travel or urgent pick-up service, and you need to pay an extra fee. Therefore, it’s recommend that you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your valid passport.
- Without an appointment (walk-in)
You can submit passport applications to a Service Canada Centre without an appointment. However, some locations may be busier at certain times of the day. They may prioritize people who need a passport within 48 hours. You’d better make an appointment online. Also, check the time before choosing a walk-in service, as passport offices and Service Canada Centres are closed on statutory holidays.
- Submit the application by mail
If you are from Alberta, Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec and elsewhere, you can mail your passport application. But you need to know that service standards don’t include mailing time. Therefore, you need to use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application.
5. Pay application fees
Your passport application fees will depend on what services you’re getting and how you’re applying. Let’s see below:
- A 5-year adult passport ( 16 or older) CAN$120
- A 10-year adult passport ( 16 or older) CAN$160
- Child passport (0 to 15 years of age) CAN$ 57
Expedited services
- Urgent pickup (by the end of the next business day) CAN$ 110
- Express pickup (within 2 to 9 business days) CAN$ 50
- Standard pickup (on or after 10 business days) CAN$ 20
- Weekend or statutory holiday for emergencies CAN$ 335
You can pay by credit card, debit card or certified cheque or money order (postal or bank). They don’t accept cash or personal cheques. And you won’t receive a refund for the service fee if you cancel your application, or your are refused a travel document.
6. Get your passport
Once your passport is finished, you can get it on the pickup date in person or send someone else to pick up your passport if they have valid identification and something in writing from you saying they’re allowed to obtain your passport. If you submit the application by mail, it will be mailed to you within 5 business days, but the mail can vary across the country due to floods and forest fires. Of course, the original documents you submitted will be mailed back to you in a separate package. In addition, if you have moved within 30 days of submitting your application, but you haven’t received your passport yet. You must contact the passport office to update your mailing address.
Other things you need to know
The application process varies depending on when you need your passport. If you need your passport within 2 business days or less, you must choose walk-in service. If you need the passport from 3-45 days, you can choose online appointment or walk-in service. No matter which method you choose, you need to follow the above steps, filling out the PPTC 153 application form and collect the required documents. If you don’t care about the time to get your passport, you can choose to mail your passport application. If you apply by mail, you need to check the Canadian government website to see where you need to send your application.
Passport photos requirements
Passport photo requirements in Canada are different from those in other countries. You must read the full photo requirements and produce passport-compliant photos:
- The photo should be be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2¾ inches high).
- The height of your face must be between 31 mm and 36 mm from your chin to the crown of your head.
- The photo taken may be in colour or black and white.
- The photo must be focused.
- You need to show a natural facial expression, open eyes and closed mouth and clearly visible facial features.
- The photo must have uniform lighting, without shadows, glare or flash reflections on the face.
- You need to show your face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera, not tilted in any direction.
- You need to make a clear difference between your face and the background.
- The photo should show your natural skin tone, without heavy makeup.
- The printed photo must be professionally printed on plain, high-quality photographic paper.
In addition, you must show how you look now, which means that your photos must be taken within 6 months before you submit your application.
How to get a passport-compiant photo?
You can take a photo in person by a commercial photographer or studio. If you take it at home and are not sure if this photo qualifies for the passport photo, you can upload it to AiPassportPhotos professional online passport tool to help you produce a Canada passport-compliant photo.
FAQ:
Can I obtain a Canadian passport for my child in Canada?
Yes. You can help your child apply for a Canadian passport that is valid for up to five years. But they cannot renew a passport even if it reaches its expiry date. Only after the child turns 16 can they get a new one. And there are only two ways for children to apply for passports, via online appointment or walk-in service.
How do I obtain my Canadian passport abroad?
If you are abroad, you can also get your passport easily. First of all, you must complete the PPTC 040 passport application form and gather all the necessary documents and complete your passport photos. You must then pay the application fee online or in person at a Canadian embassy or consulate abroad. Submit your application and payment receipt (if you pay online) to the nearest Government of Canada office abroad. Finally, you can pick up your passport when the office tells you that your passport is ready.
Conclusion
From this article, you have found some guides for adult applicants on how to apply for their first passport in Canada. If you are looking for another passport application, please leave your comments below and we will show you more details.
Erin Lo