Le passeport canadien — l'un des plus puissants au monde.
Only Canadian citizens can get a Canadian passport — permanent residents travel on their origin passport plus their PR card. You'll need a guarantor (a citizen who has known you for 2+ years) and photos meeting Canadian specs; the 10-year passport ($163.50) is almost always the better value over the 5-year one ($122.50).
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
- 2 references: people aged 18 or older who have known you for at least 2 years — not your guarantor and not a family member (IRCC)
3. The guarantor: who can sign?
The guarantor must:
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Have known you for 2+ years
- Be 18 or older
- Hold a valid 5- or 10-year Canadian passport (or one expired no more than a year ago), applied for at age 16 or older
- They can be a family member — it's your two references who must not be (IRCC)
No guarantor? Use a statutory declaration (Statutory Declaration) before a commissioner of oaths.
4. Timelines and fees
Timelines and fees. Fees rose on March 31, 2026 (and now adjust yearly for inflation) — the figures below are the current in-Canada rates. The 10-year passport is almost always the best value: only $41 more for double the duration. Express and Urgent pickup are available only if you apply in person at a passport office (a standard in-person pickup adds $20), and Urgent requires proof of imminent travel.
| Type / service | Cost | Validity | Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult — 10 years | $163.50 | 10 years | Standard |
| Adult — 5 years | $122.50 | 5 years | Standard |
| Child (0 to 15 years) | $58.50 | 5 years max | Standard |
| Standard — in person | — | — | ~10 business days |
| Standard — by mail | — | — | ~20 business days |
| Express pickup (in person) | + $50 | — | 2 to 9 business days |
| Urgent pickup (in person) | + $125.75 | — | Next business day |
5. Where to submit
Where to submit your application:
- Passport office (or a Service Canada Centre offering 10-day service): 10 business days
- Regular Service Canada Centre: 20 business days, same as by mail (IRCC service standards)
- By mail: to the Gatineau address
- Online: for renewals only for now
6. Your action list
Getting your Canadian passport takes 7 steps. Check each box below as you go — your progress is saved if you're signed in:
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 $163.50 vs $122.50 for 5 years — only $41 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 in lieu of a guarantor, before a person authorized to administer oaths — a commissioner of oaths, notary or lawyer. Any fee depends on that person.
Before going that route, remember that your guarantor can be a family member, as long as they meet the conditions (IRCC). This option exists for new Canadians who do not yet know an eligible guarantor.
Is there an express service if I need my passport quickly?
Yes — three in-person pickup speeds exist (fees updated March 31, 2026):
- Urgent (by the end of the next business day): + $125.75
- Express (2 to 9 business days): + $50
- Standard pickup (10+ business days): + $20
Urgent and Express require an in-person application 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 December 2001, every Canadian child — including newborns — must have an individual passport for international travel; children can no longer be added to a parent's passport.
The application requires the signatures of both parents (or court documentation if a parent is absent). Cost: $58.50, valid 5 years (a fixed duration regardless of the child's age).
8. 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.
9. Official sources
For official information:
- Canadian passport (Canada.ca)
- Pay your passport fee in Canada — current fees (updated yearly)
- Photo specifications
- Find a passport service location
Phone: 1-800-567-6868.
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.