All Canadian passport applications require the submission of an application form along with supplemental documents. The application form for adult applicants (above the age of 16) is PPTC 153. Children under the age of 16 use application form PPTC 155. For a passport renewal, PPTC 054 must be submitted. Canadians abroad are required to complete form PPTC 040 for adults and PPTC 042 for children. All application forms can be downloaded and printed from the Passport Canada website, ppt.gc.ca, or obtained in person at any Passport Canada location, post office or Service Canada Center.
Proof of Canadian citizenship must be submitted with the passport application. Applicants born in Canada need only submit an original birth certificate or a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (if obtained). Applicants born outside of Canada must submit either an original naturalization certificate, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (obtained from an Canadian Consulate or Embassy) or a Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship. Only the original document is valid.
All adult applicants must submit one form of identification along with proof of citizenship. Acceptable proof of identity includes a driver's license, health care card, federal identification card, certificate of Indian status, employee identification card or old age security card. The proof of identity must indicate the full name that your passport will be issued under. In the case of marriage and surname change, the proof of identification must show the applicant's married name.
Two identical photos must be submitted with the application. The photo must measure 50 X 70 mm in size with the head (chin to crown) covering 31 to 36 mm of the frame, be printed on high quality photographic paper and be in color or black and white. The applicant must be photographed in front of a plain white background and look directly at the camera. The face must be clear of any obstructions such as hair, large earnings or religious coverings. Prescription glasses are permitted, however, any visible glare is not acceptable. The mouth must be closed and in a neutral position. On the back of one photograph, the photographer must state his name or the name of the photo studio, the address where the the photo was taken and the date. Following the photographer's information, the guarantor's signature must appear after stating "I certify this to be a true likeness of (applicants name)."
All applicants (except for renewal applications) must have a guarantor. A guarantor must complete the "Declaration of a Guarantor" section of the passport application form and certify the photographs and proof of identity (if originals cannot be obtained). An eligible guarantor is a Canadian citizen with a valid Canadian passport who is at least 18 years of age and has known the applicant for at least two years. If a guarantor cannot be found, the applicant must submit Form PPT 132 Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor. PPT 132 must be notarized by a public notary or Justice of the Peace. This form is only obtainable in person at any Passport Canada Office or by calling the help line at 800-567-6868.
The fee for a 24-page passport is C$87 and C$92 for a 48-page passport. For a child age three to fifteen the application fee is C$37 to C$39, and for children under three years of age C$22 to C$24. The application fees for those applying outside of Canada are slightly higher; please refer to the Resources section below for full price charts.
