Get the application. Obtain the appropriate Canadian passport application from your local Canadian government office or the Canadian government webpage. Adults who are applying for the first time, renewing a passport and minors have different applications.
Complete the application. Fill out the application with all vital information. The renewal and child passport application contain two pages. The application to issue a passport to an adult for the first time is three pages.
Take a passport photo at your local drugstore, post office, copy store or AAA office. Include two identical copies of the passport photo with your application. Photos of minors and adults applying for the first time must be certified by a guarantor.
Make a Declaration of Guarantor (minor applicant and new adult applicant only). Complete and sign the "Declaration of Guarantor" section of the application. Write "I certify this to be a true likeness of [insert name]" on the back of one of the photos and sign it. A guarantor is a person besides the applicant who can confirm a person's identity. The guarantor can be a notary, doctor, lawyer, police officer or bank official.
For proof of Canadian citizenry (renewal applicants exempt), provide one original copy of either a long form Canadian birth certificate or certificate of Canadian citizenship. The copy will be returned to you.
For custody documents (minor application only), provide a long form birth certificate that shows information on both parents. Indicate your current relationship status with the other parent. Only the person with custodial rights can apply for a passport for the child. In case of divorce, you must include the divorce decree, and if there is joint custody, either parent can apply.
Enclose any previous passports issued by Canada along with your application. If your passport is lost, complete a "Statutory Declaration" form available on the Canadian government passport website (see Resources).
Sign the application. All applicants over the age of 11 must sign the passport application within the limits of the signature box.
Pay the passport application fee by certified check, international money order or credit card. At the time of publication, the application fee is $97 Canadian for adults and renewal, $22 for children under 3 and $37 for children 3 to 15, but fees are subject to change. A credit card authorization form is included with the application.
Mail your completed application along with your payment, relevant supporting documents and photos to: Passport Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Gatineau QC K1A 0G3, Canada if you are sending it by mail. If you are sending it by courier, send it to Passport Canada, 22 de Varennes Street, Gatineau QC J8T 8R1, Canada. Do not mail your application to any local Canadian government office in the United States.
