To apply for a Canadian passport in 2026, confirm you’re a Canadian citizen, then gather proof of citizenship, valid government-issued photo ID, and two compliant photos. Complete your application and pay the fee. You can renew your passport online if you qualify, apply in person at a Service Canada location or passport office, or apply by mail.
Quick answer: how to apply for a Canadian passport in 2026
- Only Canadian citizens are eligible; permanent residents can’t apply.
- For a first-time adult application, you’ll need proof of citizenship, valid photo ID, and two recent photos.
- Dedicated passport offices can process urgent requests; regular Service Canada locations and mail applications can’t.
- Adult 5-year passports cost $122.50 CAD in Canada, while 10-year passports cost $163.50 CAD.
- As of April 2026, your passport application fee is refunded automatically if processing exceeds 30 business days.
Who can apply for a Canadian passport?
Only citizens of Canada, either by birth or naturalization, can apply for a Canadian passport. Permanent residents are not eligible.
If you hold dual citizenship, you can still apply for a Canadian passport, as long as you’re a Canadian citizen and you meet the requirements. Dual Canadian citizens generally need a valid Canadian passport to travel to or transit through Canada by air.
For children under 16, a parent or legal guardian needs to apply on their behalf and provide supporting documents, such as a Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate, along with proof of parentage. All parents or legal guardians should sign the application. See Special circumstances below for what a single parent needs to apply for a child’s passport.
Documents required for a Canadian passport application
Before you begin, be sure you have the right documents ready. For a new adult passport, your application revolves around three elements: proof of citizenship, supporting identity documents, and photos that meet official standards. Adult renewals don’t require proof of citizenship or supporting identity documents.
Proof of Canadian citizenship
To prove you’re eligible, you’ll need to provide an official document confirming your Canadian citizenship. The accepted documents include:
- A birth certificate issued in Canada. Either the long-form or short-form version; Canada.ca accepts both formats
- A Canadian citizenship certificate
- A certificate of naturalization
Identity verification documents
You’ll also need valid, government-issued identity documents that include your name, date of birth, signature, and photo. You can combine more than one ID to provide these details, provided the documents share identifying information, such as your name. Accepted examples include:
- A driver’s licence (issued by a province or territory, or the equivalent abroad)
- A Canadian passport (expired passports can be submitted under certain conditions)
- A government-issued photo ID (provincial ID card)
- A foreign passport
- An ID card (issued by the federal, provincial, or territorial government, or the equivalent abroad)
If you submit photocopies of your ID, copy both sides and have your guarantor or signing official sign and date them.
Passport photo requirements
Your two photos need to be identical, taken within the last six months, and sized 50 mm by 70 mm, against a plain white or light-coloured background with even lighting and a neutral expression. Glasses are permitted as long as your eyes are clearly visible with no glare on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted lenses aren’t accepted.
Under Canada.ca’s photo requirements, photos must be taken by a commercial photographer. The photographer must write or stamp the studio’s name, complete address, and date taken on the back of one photo. For new applications, your guarantor must also certify and sign that photo. Online renewals require a digital photo instead of two printed photos.
How to apply: online, in person, or by mail
In 2026, there are several ways to apply for a Canadian passport. Choosing the right method depends on your situation and how fast you need your passport.
Online passport renewal
If you’re renewing an existing passport, applying online offers simplicity and speed. To be eligible, you’ll need to meet all online renewal conditions such as:
- You must have a valid Canadian passport that has already expired or will expire in the next six months and was issued within the last 15 years.
- Your current/expired passport must be a regular blue passport with five- or ten-year validity.
- It must hold the same name and personal details as the one you’ll require on your new passport.
- It must have been issued when you were 16 or older.
- Your home and mailing address must be in Canada.
- You must be renewing your own passport and not traveling within 20 business days.
- Your passport must not be damaged, seized, surrendered, or contain observations.
Applying online is convenient and lets you track your application from home, but it isn’t faster than applying in person. Processing takes up to 20 business days, plus mailing time. Your current passport is cancelled when you apply. See our guide to renewing your Canadian passport for a full walkthrough.
In-person application
Certain situations require you to submit your application in person, including:
- First-time applications
- Requests for name changes or updates to personal information
- Lost, stolen, or damaged passports
- Urgent or express service requests
Where you apply for your passport matters. Regular Service Canada locations handle standard renewals but can’t process urgent requests. Dedicated passport offices and certain Service Canada centers offer 10-business-day processing, but mailing time is additional and is not included in the processing period.
Passport offices offering expedited services provide urgent pick-up (by the end of the next business day) and express pick-up (2–9 business days). Extra fees apply to these expedited services. Proof that you need the passport urgently is required for urgent service and may be requested for express service. Use our guide to passport offices in Canada to find which service is offered near you.
New adult applications require two references and a guarantor to verify your identity, while adult renewals require two references but no guarantor. Book ahead where appointments are available to avoid long wait times. The urgent passport service is available for walk-in applications only.
Application by mail
If you aren’t in a rush, you can submit most renewal or new applications by mail. This generally takes the longest time overall because your application must arrive before processing begins. Use a secure, tracked delivery method, since mailing time is added on top of standard processing. Check the official submission instructions for the correct mailing and courier address.
Canadian passport fees in 2026
Here’s an overview of the standard passport fees, as of April 2026 (Government of Canada fee schedule):
| Passport type | Fee: Canada (CAD) | Fee: abroad (CAD) |
| Adult (16+), 5-year | $122.50 | $194.25 |
| Adult (16+), 10-year | $163.50 | $266.25 |
| Child (0–15), 5-year | $58.50 | $102.50 |
For expedited service in-country, urgent pick-up (by the end of the next business day) costs $125.75 CAD and weekend or statutory holiday service costs $383.50 CAD. These charges are additional to the standard passport fee.
Weekend or statutory holiday service is available only for emergencies requiring travel over the weekend or holiday. Express pick-up (2 to 9 business days) is also available at passport offices offering that service, and its fee is listed separately in the fee schedule. Urgent service requires proof that you need the passport urgently, and express service may require it.
Thinking in cost-per-year terms: A 10-year adult passport issued in Canada works out to roughly $16 CAD a year, versus about $25 CAD a year for a 5-year passport.
Canadian passport processing times in 2026
Standard processing takes 10 business days at a dedicated passport office, or 20 business days at a regular Service Canada location, by mail, or online. Add extra time for mailing if you aren’t picking up your passport in person.
For faster service in Canada, extra fees apply:
- Express pickup: 2-9 business days at a passport office offering this service.
- Urgent pickup: by the end of the next business day at a passport office offering urgent service.
For applications submitted in person in Canada or mailed from Canada or the US, you can track your application using the Passport Application Status Checker with your application number and personal details. Online renewal applicants should check the IRCC Portal instead. If you applied outside Canada and the US, contact the office where you applied once 20 business days have passed.
For eligible applications completed on or after April 1, 2026, the Service Fees Act refund policy provides an automatic refund of your passport application fee if processing exceeds 30 business days. The calculation excludes mailing delays, additional review time for complex applications, and holds while further information is collected.
Administrative fees, including the extra charge for replacing a valid lost or stolen passport, are excluded. Urgent and express services have separate refund rules when their shorter timelines are missed. Exceptional circumstances can also affect eligibility.
Seasonal demand matters, too: offices see their highest volumes in spring and early summer, which can mean longer waits even when official figures haven’t changed. Applying a few months ahead gives you a cushion. See our guide on how long passport renewals take for better understanding.
Common mistakes that delay Canadian passport applications
Even small errors can slow down your Canadian passport application. Here’s what to watch for:
Application errors
Double-check every page of your application before submitting. Common mistakes include mismatched information and errors in spelling or dates. Always provide original documents when required, and make sure any photocopies meet the requirements for that document.
Non-compliant photos
Passport photos have to meet strict standards: they must be recent (within six months), clear, and shot against a plain background. Applications can be rejected for shadows, glare, wrong size, or smiling. Glasses are fine as long as your eyes are clearly visible with no glare on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted lenses aren’t accepted.
Missing or uncertified documents
Before you submit, check your documents (proof of citizenship, identity documents, supporting materials) against the official guidelines. Photocopies must be certified where they are accepted. An uncertified copy is a common reason applications get returned.
Missing signatures
Missing signatures are a common reason applications are sent back. Ensure you fill in every section, sign where required, and use the correct form. The PPTC 153 for a new adult passport, PPTC 054 for an adult renewal by mail or in person, or PPTC 155 for a child’s application.
A guarantor vouches for your identity. For an application in Canada, they must be a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, who’s known you for at least two years and holds a five- or ten-year Canadian passport that is valid or expired no more than one year ago. They must have applied for that passport at 16 or older and be available if contacted. For a child’s application, they must have known the parent or guardian for two years and know of the child. Adult renewals don’t need a guarantor.
If you don’t have an eligible guarantor, request the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form from the Passport Program and complete it before a notary public or justice of the peace or commissioner for oaths. See our guide on who can be your passport guarantor.
If your application is returned, follow the accompanying instructions, correct the problems, and resubmit the requested documents. Processing depends on receiving a complete application. Check the payment instructions before paying again; replacement photos, postage, or having a declaration commissioned can also add to the cost.
Special circumstances: name changes, lost passports, and children’s applications
A few scenarios call for extra steps.
Name changes
If your legal name has changed, include supporting documents such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal name change certificate when applying. These need to clearly show the connection between your previous and new names to avoid delays.
Lost or stolen passports
If your passport is lost or stolen, report it right away to the nearest passport office or through the Government of Canada’s website. You’ll need Form PPTC 203, the Declaration Concerning a Lost, Stolen, Inaccessible, Damaged or Found Canadian Travel Document, plus proof of citizenship, valid ID, and the replacement fee. Security checks may add extra time. See our guide on what to do if you lose your Canadian passport for more information.
Children’s applications
For applicants under 16, both parents or legal guardians generally have to consent, using Form PPTC 155. A single parent with sole custody can apply instead, with proof of sole custody, a court order, or a legal declaration explaining the other parent’s absence. See our guide to applying for your child’s first Canadian passport for more information.
Frequently asked questions: applying for a Canadian passport
How long does it take to get a Canadian passport in 2026?
Standard processing takes 10 business days at a dedicated passport office, or 20 business days at a regular Service Canada location, by mail, or online (plus any mailing time). As of April 2026, the government guarantees an automatic refund if processing exceeds 30 business days.
Can I renew my Canadian passport online?
Yes, if your current or recently expired passport is a regular blue passport issued when you were 16 or older, valid for five or ten years, in your current name, with a Canadian address on file. Online renewal isn’t faster than in person, though. The same standard processing times apply.
What should I do if my passport expires while I’m travelling abroad?
Contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate as soon as possible. They can issue an emergency travel document or help renew your passport so you can return to Canada safely.
Do I need a guarantor for my passport application?
Yes. Most adult applications need a guarantor who has known you for at least two years and can confirm your identity, plus two references who’ve known you at least as long. If you don’t have an eligible guarantor, ask about the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor option instead.
How much does a Canadian passport cost in 2026?
As of April 2026, an adult 5-year passport costs $122.50 CAD in Canada ($194.25 CAD abroad), and a 10-year passport costs $163.50 CAD ($266.25 CAD abroad). A child’s 5-year passport costs $58.50 CAD in Canada, or $102.50 CAD abroad.
Are glasses allowed in Canadian passport photos?
Yes. Glasses are permitted as long as your eyes are clearly visible with no glare on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted lenses aren’t accepted. The photo must otherwise meet the usual size, background, and expression requirements.
Can I apply for a Canadian passport if I have dual citizenship?
Yes. Having another nationality doesn’t affect your eligibility, but you must provide valid proof of your Canadian citizenship with your application. Dual citizens also need to travel to and from Canada by air on a valid Canadian passport, not their foreign passport.
Key takeaways: how to apply for a Canadian passport in 2026
- Only Canadian citizens, by birth or naturalization, can get a Canadian passport; permanent residents need a different document.
- A complete application needs proof of citizenship, valid photo ID, and two compliant photos. Glasses are fine if your eyes are clearly visible.
- Dedicated passport offices process applications in about 10 business days, versus 20 business days at regular Service Canada locations, by mail, or online.
- As of April 2026, adult fees run from $122.50 CAD (5-year) to $163.50 CAD (10-year) in Canada.
- Name changes, lost passports, and children’s applications each need extra documents. Check requirements before you book an appointment.
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This article is based on the current guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Service Canada, and other Government of Canada sources on Canadian passport applications, fees, and processing times.
Last reviewed: September 2026
