As international restrictions are lifted, more and more people are planning to travel abroad only to find that their passports have expired. Without a valid passport, it is impossible to leave and enter a country. It is reported that many countries are sparing no effort to ensure passport applications and renewals go smoothly, including Canada. In this passage, we are going to talk about Canadian passport renewal, including the who can renew Canadian passport, how to renew passport in Canada and outside Canada, how much it costs, how long it takes, etc.
Who Can Renew a Canadian Passport
Canadian passports can only be renewed under the following conditions:
- your current passport was an adult passport issued when you were at least 16 years old, whether expired or not.
- your current passport was issued within the last 15 years.
- your current passport has a valid period of 5 or 10 years.
- you do not change your name, date of birth and place of birth printed on the current passport.
- you do not change your gender identifier printed on the current passport.
- If your current is expired, damaged, lost or stolen, it can be renewed if you obtained it in the last 15 years and satisfied the requirements above.
Applicants under 16 are issued a child passport which cannot be renewed. If you have reached 16 years old and hold an expired child’s passport, you should apply for an adult passport.
When to Renew Canadian Passport
You can renew it any time after it expires. If it is still valid, you can renew it up to 1 year before it expires, but the remaining period of validity on the current passport would not be transferred to the renewed one. When you should apply for a renewal depends on whether you want it to travel abroad or simply as proof of identification.
Renew Canada Passport for Travel
Every country requires their foreign visitors to hold a passport within a certain period of validity. Before setting out, please check the entry and exit requirements of your destination country and see whether there is enough remaining validity on your current passport. Then you will know if you need to renew it.
Renew Canada Passport as Identification
Your passport remains valid until it expires. The passport processing time ranges from 1 business day to 20 days depending on the service you choose. You just need to file the application in advance according to the waiting time. Please note that when renewing it by mail, you will submit the current passport along with the renewal application. During this time, you can’t use it as an identity document, but you can keep it if applying in person.
How to Renew a Passport in Canada
Canada passport renewal can be done in person or by post. Both methods go through similar procedures. Here is a step-by-step guidance.
Fill out the Application Form
The application form is used to gather information about the applicant, most current Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship, and references. It is an electronic form that can be completed online and downloaded to print out. Please read the instructions carefully, fill it out as instructed and sign each page. The paper form is also available in the Canada Post locations.
Supposing that your passport is damaged, lost or stolen but still valid, please include DECLARATION CONCERNING A LOST, STOLEN, INACCESSIBLE, DAMAGED OR FOUND CANADIAN TRAVEL DOCUMENT in your application.
Supposing that you want to preserve the visa stamps on the existing passport or get your original passport back, please check the corresponding checkbox.
Get All Required Documents & Passport Photos Ready
Requirements for Canadian passport renewal are much simpler than that for first-time requests. You should include the following information and documents in your applications. Make sure all supporting documents are in English or French. If not, offer an official translation.
- date of issuance, expiration and passport number of the current passport.
- your most recent passport (if within the validity period).
- 2 identical passport photos. One with the photographer’s signature and address, and date of photography on the back.
Find Two References
The references are introduced to must
- be at least 18 years old.
- be someone who has known you for at least 2 years.
- not be your family members, such as spouse/common-law partner, parent or parent’s spouse/common-law partner, mother-in-law or father-in-law, children or their spouse/common-law partner, son-in-law or daughter-in-law, sibling or their spouse/common-law partner, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, grandparent or grandparent’s spouse/common-law partner, grandmother-in-law or grandfather-in-law, grandchildren or their spouse/common-law partner, spouse/common-law partner or any others that is related to you or your spouse/common-law partner by blood or law.
Submit Application and Fulfill Payment
The application can be submitted in person or by mail.
- Submit in Person
In order to save time, it is suggested to make an appointment before visiting the passport offices. With the Appointment Booking Tool, you will learn about the nearest location and when passport service is available. Please note that the appointment availability might vary according to the real demands. Service Canada Center or a passport office also provides service for those without appointments. However, walk-in applicants are not guaranteed to get the service that day because priority is given to those in urgent need during rush hours. Find a nearby location here through postal code, city or address.
- Submit By Mail
If you are too busy to go to an on-site office or it is too far away from you, you can mail your application forms, supporting documents and payment receipt to the authority. Where you send the parcel depends on where you apply from (See the chart below). To protect your documents from losing and trace mailing status, please use a certified mail service.
| Province of Sender | Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan | British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut or Yukon | New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island |
| Mailing address (non-courier) | Government of CanadaPassport ProgramGatineau, Quebec K1A 0G3 | Government of CanadaPassport ProgramPO Box 4000 STN LCD 3Mississauga, Ontario L5K 0A9 | Government of CanadaPassport ProgramGatineau, Quebec K1A 0G3 |
| Mailing address (courier) | Government of CanadaPassport Program22 De Varennes StreetGatineau, Quebec J8T 8R1 | Government of CanadaPassport Program22 De Varennes StreetGatineau, Quebec J8T 8R1 | Government of CanadaPassport Program22 De Varennes StreetGatineau, Quebec J8T 8R1 |
Canada passport renewal fees are subject to the services you choose and we will discuss it in the next part. It cannot be paid online in Canada. For in-person applications, you can pay with a credit card, prepaid card, debit card, certified cheque or money order, and cheque from Canadian provincial, territorial or federal government departments. For mail-in applications, you should fill out the payment sections on the application form. Cash or personal cheques are unacceptable in both cases. Make sure all cheques are payable to the Receiver General for Canada.
Collect the Renewed Passport
When your new passport is ready, it will be sent to you by post unless you choose to pick it up. It usually takes 5 working days to deliver while the original supporting documents might arrive later in a separate parcel. For pickup service, please check the pickup date on your receipt. Someone else can collect your passport by holding a valid identification document and written authorization from you. Once you receive it, check if there are any mistakes before signing on the receipt.
How to Renew Canadian Passport Abroad
A Canadian citizen can also renew his passport outside Canada. The requirements and application procedure are similar to that in Canada. Renewing from US and other countries might be a little different.
Canadian Passport Renewal in the US
Applying to renew a Canadian passport from the US is quite straightforward. You also need to go through the process including filling out the application form, preparing supporting documents and passport photos, finding 2 references, submitting applications and paying for the renewal.
Acceptable payment methods from the US are Visa/MasterCard/American Express card, a certified cheque or money order in Canadian funds and payable to the “Receiver General for Canada”.
Last but not least, if you take Canadian passport photos in the US, make sure the photographer is clear about Canadian passport photo requirements, or you can use AiPassportPhotos which is equipped with a 100% qualified Canadian passport photo template.
In this case, you are supposed to submit the application by mail.
- With non-courier service, please mail to:
Government of Canada
Passport Program
Gatineau, QC K1A 0G3
Canada
- With courier service, please mail to:
Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 de Varennes Street
Gatineau, QC J8T 8R1
Canada
Last but not least, photographers in the US may be not familiar with Canadian passport photo requirements. You can bring a passport photo specification to the photographer or use AiPassportPhotos to DIY a qualified Canadian passport photo at home.
Canadian Passport Renewal Outside US and Canada
Besides the application form, payment methods and ways to submit applications, other procedures are the same as those in Canada.
The application form is available here. Please fill it out online and print out the completed form.
When applying outside the US and Canada, you can pay online or in person at a Canadian embassy or consulate. Remember to include a payment receipt in your application and keep a copy as a record.
Finally, take the completed application form, payment receipt and supporting documents to the nearest Government of Canada office to finish your application.
Canadian Passport Renewal Fees
Canadian passport renewal fees include basic fees and special services.
- Basic Fee
| Passport Type | Applications submitted in Canada | Applications submitted in the US | Applications submitted Outside Canada and the United States | |||
| 5-year adult passport | 10-year adult passport | 5-year adult passport | 10-year adult passport | 5-year adult passport | 10-year adult passport | |
| Fees | $120 | $160 | $190 | $260 | $190 | $260 |
- Additional Fees for Expedited Services in Canada (Only Available in Person)
| Urgent pickup (in 2 business days) | $110 |
| Express pickup (in 2 to 9 business days) | $50 |
| Standard pickup (on/after 10 business days) | $20 |
| Weekend or statutory holiday service (for emergencies) | $335 |
- Additional Service Fees
| replacing a valid lost or stolen passport | $45 |
| Certified true copy of one page of a passport (1 to 3 copies) | $45 |
| File transfer (to a different passport office in Canada) | $45 |
FAQs: Canadian Passport Renewal
Q: How long does it take to get a Canadian passport?
A: It takes 10-20 business days to process your application and up to 5 extra days to deliver it to you. You can pay extra fees for special circumstances. Urgent pick-up allows you to get the passport by the end of the next business day. Express pick-up takes 2 to 9 business days.
Q: How much does it cost to renew a passport?
A: It ranges from $120 to $640 according to the validity period and services.
Q: Can I renew Canada passport on weekends or statutory holidays?
A: Yes, but only for emergencies. You have to pay extra fees and proof of your urgent need, such as air tickets or travel itinerary. Call 1-800-567-6868 to ask for instructions from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday to Friday.
Q: Can I renew my passport faster?
A: Yes. You can pay for urgent pick-up, express pick-up and emergency weekend or statutory holiday service in Canada. Please note that expedited applications must be submitted at the Service Canada Center instead of regular Service Canada Centers. Additional documents and fees are required. If you are in urgent need abroad, please go to the Canadian embassies and consulates for help.
Q: Can I renew my passport more than one year before it expires?
A: Yes, unless you can tell why you need an early renewal. A written explanation is required when renewing by mail.
Summary
Canadian passport renewal can be done in and outside Canada. If your passport has expired and are planning to travel abroad, check whether you are eligible to renew Canadian passport first. If yes, you can submit the application form, current passport, 2 passport photos and proof of payment to the Service Canada Center or a passport office by mail or in person.
Erin Lo