Le passeport canadien — l'un des plus puissants au monde.
1. Who can apply for a Canadian passport?
Only Canadian citizens can hold a Canadian passport.
- Permanent residents: not eligible, they travel with their origin passport + PR card
- See our Canadian citizenship application in Quebec if not yet a citizen
2. Required documents
Required documents:
- A completed form
- Citizenship certificate or Canadian birth certificate
- Photo ID (driver's licence, etc.)
- 2 passport photos meeting Canadian specifications
- A guarantor: a citizen who has known you for 2+ years
3. The guarantor: who can sign?
The guarantor must:
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Have known you for 2+ years
- Hold a valid Canadian passport (or one expired less than a year ago)
- Not be an immediate family member
No guarantor? Use a statutory declaration (Statutory Declaration) before a commissioner of oaths.
4. Timelines and fees
Timelines and fees (check the up-to-date figures). The table below compares passport types and service levels.
The 10-year passport is almost always the best value: only $40 more for double the duration. Express and Urgent require an in-person appointment at a Passport Canada office, and Urgent requires proof of imminent travel.
| Type / service | Cost | Validity | Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult — 10 years | ~$160 | 10 years | Standard |
| Adult — 5 years | ~$120 | 5 years | Standard |
| Child (3 to 15 years) | ~$100 | 5 years max | Standard |
| Child (under 3 years) | ~$57 | 5 years max | Standard |
| Standard — in person | — | — | ~20 business days |
| Standard — by mail | — | — | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Express | + $50 | — | < 10 business days |
| Urgent | + $110 | — | Next business day |
5. Where to submit
Where to submit your application:
- Passport Canada office: the fastest
- Service Canada office: intermediary
- By mail: to the Gatineau address
- Online: for renewals only for now
6. Your action list
Follow these steps to get your Canadian passport. Check each box as you go — your progress is saved if you're signed in.
- Confirm your Canadian citizenship (certificate received)
- Get 2 photos taken at a passport photographer
- Find an eligible guarantor (or make a statutory declaration)
- Fill out form PPTC 153 (adult) or the appropriate one
- Submit the application (in person or by mail)
- Pay the application fee
- Receive your passport (check the details before signing)
7. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about the Canadian passport: 5-year vs 10-year choice, what to do if you can't find a guarantor, the express service, losing it abroad, and child passports.
Should I get a 5-year or 10-year passport?
The 10-year passport costs $160 vs $120 for 5 years — only $40 more for double the duration. Choose 10 years if you don't expect a name change (marriage, divorce) and if your current photo will still look like you in a decade. Choose 5 years if you anticipate changes or want a lower upfront cost.
Passports for children are always 5 years maximum.
I don't know anyone who can be my guarantor. What now?
Make a statutory declaration before a commissioner of oaths, notary, or lawyer. The form is included in your passport application package.
The declaration costs about $25 to $50 in professional fees. This option exists specifically for new Canadians who do not yet know an eligible guarantor.
Is there an express service if I need my passport quickly?
Yes — three urgency levels exist:
- Express (under 10 business days): + $50
- Urgent (next business day): + $110
Both require an in-person appointment at a Passport Canada office, and Urgent requires proof of imminent travel (plane ticket, funeral notice, medical document).
What if I lose my passport abroad?
Contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate immediately. They can issue an emergency travel document within 24 to 48 hours to get you home.
The standard replacement passport requires returning to Canada or a longer process abroad. Report the loss first to the local police — the report is often required by the embassy.
Do my children need their own passport?
Yes. Since 2009, every Canadian child — including newborns — must have an individual passport for international travel.
The application requires the signatures of both parents (or court documentation if a parent is absent). Cost: $57 (under 3 years) or $100 (3 to 15 years), valid 5 years maximum.
8. Official sources
For official information:
Phone: 1-800-567-6868.
9. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Canadian citizenship application in Quebec — the prerequisite for applying for a Canadian passport.
- Renew or replace your PR card — your travel document before citizenship.
- Get your Social Insurance Number (SIN) — another essential federal document to request in parallel.
Author's Note: Holding your first Canadian passport is a powerful moment. Make the most of it — it's one of the most respected in the world.
