To the point Find out how to renew your passport in Canada with our step-by-step guide: form, photo, fee, passport application.
What is a passport? When and why should you renew your passport? Who can renew a passport? Criteria for renewing a Canadian passport
How to renew your passport in Canada Obtain and complete the application form Locate your nearest Office or Service Centre Get your passport photo Obtain guarantors/references Determine the passport application fee Send in your renewal application Current Passport Delivery Time How to check the status of the passport application Canada : New changes coming for passport renewal in 2023
Receive your passport! Frequently asked questionsNeed to renew your Canadian passport? Find out here about the steps you must take to successfully renew your passport. From sending in your application by mail to finding the proper form to understanding the conditions required to renew your passport, we’ll guide you through this procedure. You’ll also learn when to renew your passport before it expires and whether you can do it online.
A passport is required to travel between countries and is a legally identifying document.
Luckily, passports are relatively easy to obtain as a Canadian citizen, though you should be wary of the expiry date. Once your passport expires or even a few weeks away from being expired, it is considered invalid and cannot be used for travel.
So, you’ll need to renew your passport quickly. You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally. Luckily, the process is straightforward and compiling your application shouldn’t take more than a few days. Here’s all you need to know about renewing your passport in Canada.
In Canada, the question of “when and why” to renew a passport is particularly important. Ideally, a passport should be renewed before it expires to avoid any inconvenience when travelling internationally. Moreover, a full passport or one with incorrect information also requires renewal.
Renewal can be seen as a process of updating in line with the best practices and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It also becomes necessary if the passport has been lost, stolen or damaged. Since March 31, the renewal process has been simplified, allowing Canadians home and abroad to renew an expired passport issued within the last 15 years.
Finally, renewal is also a way to benefit from new passport features, such as a more water-resistant version, offering greater durability.
If you’ve previously held an adult Canadian passport, you’ll most likely be able to apply for renewal.
Firstly, your current passport must either be expired or close to it. Due to the regulations regarding near-expired passports, you can apply to renew your passport up to a year before its official expiration.
However, children must re-apply for a new passport each time it expires. In Canada, only adult passports can be renewed, assuming you meet the requirements.
Even as an adult, you must meet a few requirements to qualify for renewal rather than applying for a new passport again. Firstly, if your passport has fully expired, it must have been issued within the last 15 years. So, even if it’s been years since you left the country or you don’t have plans to leave anytime soon, don’t wait too long to renew your passport so that you can deal with a simple renewal rather than a tedious new passport application.
Naturally, when applying for a renewal, you must also ensure you haven’t changed any essential personal information, such as your place and date of birth (which is rare). However, other information that can change, such as your legal name or gender, would also require a new passport application.
Finally, if you lose or damage your passport, you will likely need to apply for a new one rather than renew one. If either of these things happens to you, you can head to your local post office (or embassy, if it happens while travelling) as soon as possible to sort things out.
Overall, if you’re an adult with a pre-issued passport and meet all the above requirements, you should be eligible for a passport renewal.
Several criteria must be met to renew a Canadian passport. The current passport must have been issued within the last 15 years and be in good condition, i.e. not damaged, lost or stolen. The applicant must be 18 or older and have a family member or relative who has known them for at least two years and can act as a reference or guarantor. This person must agree to include their name and contact details in the application.
Renewal fees range from $120 to $260, depending on whether you are applying from Canada or the U.S. and whether you are applying for a 5- or 10-year passport: when you apply for a Canadian adult passport, you can choose between a 5- or 10-year validity period. Once this period has elapsed or almost elapsed (between six months and one year before expiry), it’s time to renew your passport.
Even if it has yet to expire, you should renew your passport if its pages are full (good travel memories!) or if you need to update/renew your visa or residency information simultaneously.
To prepare your renewal application, you’ll need to :
Here’s the step-by-step guide on renewing your passport in Canada.
Firstly, you’ll need to fill out the application form from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which you can either download or print for free from their website or pick up at any Canada Post location near you.
To obtain this passport renewal application form, you have several options:
Ensure you have the right form for your situation to avoid any delay in processing your application. The form differs depending on whether you are applying for a renewal (form PPTC 054) or your first passport demand (form PPTC 154).
Once you have the form, it’s pretty intuitive. All you have to do is enter all your information as it appears on the form. You can save as you go online so you don’t lose any work, or fill it in by hand if you’ve chosen to print or take a physical copy.
If you fill in the form physically, fill it in carefully, taking care not to cross out any lines or write outside the boxes provided. If you make a mistake, we recommend you start again with a new form to avoid any delay in processing your application.
Don’t forget to sign and date your completed form. Finally, check that you have filled it in correctly before sending it or presenting it in person.
You can use the online search tools available on the Canadian Passport Program website to locate your nearest Service Centre. These tools allow you to enter your postal code, city or full address to find the nearest point of service. You’ll have access to waiting times, too.
Finally, if you need to make an appointment to renew your passport, you can visit the specialized eServiceCanada site to book an appointment online.
Passport offices and Service Canada Centres are generally closed on statutory holidays.
Moreover, depending on their busy schedules, some centers may prioritize people who need their passports within 48 hours. It’s a good idea to check waiting times before you go.
Here are some examples of where you can go to renew your passport:
Alongside the form, you’ll need to submit an updated passport photo. You have to submit two copies of the photo, which must meet the following specifications:
It’s best to head down to your local drugstore (such as London Drugs) or work with a professional photographer and tell them you need a passport photo. They’ll know exactly what to do. Photos taken at home may not meet the specific requirements adequately.
One of the two copies must be stamped and dated on the back by the photographer, and the stamp should include the studio’s name and address. You do not need to sign the photos yourself.
