What you need to apply for a passport
You need all of the following:
- proof of Canadian citizenship(opens in a new tab)
- This can be a birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
- If you have a paper certificate, it must be the original document, not a photocopy.
- If you have a citizenship e-certificate, you must attach a printed copy(opens in a new tab) .
- This can be a birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
- a document to support your identity(opens in a new tab)
- This can be a photocopy or the original.
- If you want to use a photocopy of your ID, make sure you show both sides and have it signed and dated by your guarantor or signing official.
- This can be a photocopy or the original.
- 2 identical passport photos
- a guarantor
- 2 references
If you have a Canadian passport or other travel document and it’s still valid, you also need to send us it.
Passport photo requirements
On the back of 1 of your photos, the photographer must write or stamp
- their studio or company name
- their complete address and
- the date the photos were taken
You do not need a guarantor’s signature on the photo. Passport renewals don’t need a guarantor.
Passport photo requirements in the US are different than in Canada
Your photos must follow Canadian photo requirements. We’ll reject and return your application to you if you submit an unacceptable photo.
To avoid any problems, print a copy of the passport photo specifications (PDF, 652 KB) to bring with you to the photographer.
Read the full photo requirements(opens in a new tab) for more information.
What your guarantor needs to do and who can be one
You need a guarantor to sign:
- your application form
- 1 of your passport photos and
- all copies of your supporting identity documents (ID)
They must:
- be 18 or older
- have known you for at least 2 years
- be a Canadian citizen
- have a 5-year or 10-year Canadian passport that, on the day you submit your application, is
- expired for no more than 1 year, or
- valid, meaning it isn’t or wasn’t
- expired
- damaged
- inaccessible
- suspended or revoked
- reported lost or stolen
- found and returned
- destroyed by us
- requested to be returned
- have been 16 or older when they applied for their passport
- include the necessary information from their passport on your application form
- be available if we need to contact them
Who can be a reference for you
Your references must
- be 18 or older
- have known you for at least 2 years
- agree to you using their name and contact information for your application
To avoid delays, make sure your references are available if or when we need to contact them.
- For example, they’re not travelling outside the country.
- If they’re in a different time zone, it may take longer to contact them, which could delay your application.
We may ask for additional references at any time.
Who can’t be a reference for you
Your references cannot be
- your guarantor
- a member of your immediate family
- your spouse or common-law partner
- your child or grandchild
- other members of your extended family
Read a full list of people who can’t be a reference
These people can’t be a reference on your renewal application:
- spouse or common-law partner
- Whether you’re the opposite or same sex, you’re considered common-law partners if you’ve lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 1 year, but you aren’t legally married.
- A boyfriend, girlfriend or romantic partner can be a reference if you’re not in a common-law relationship.
- If your marriage or common-law relationship has ended, your former spouse or partner can serve as a reference.
- Whether you’re the opposite or same sex, you’re considered common-law partners if you’ve lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 1 year, but you aren’t legally married.
- parent, step-parent, foster parent, or a parent’s spouse or common-law partner
- mother-in-law or father-in-law
- child (biological, adopted, foster or stepchild) or your child’s spouse or common-law partner
- son-in-law or daughter-in-law
- sibling (brother, half-brother or stepbrother, or sister, half-sister or stepsister) or your sibling’s spouse or common-law partner
- brother-in-law or sister-in-law
- grandparent (biological, adopted, step or foster grandparent) or your grandparent’s spouse or common-law partner
- grandmother-in-law or grandfather-in-law
- grandchild (biological, adopted, step or foster grandchild) or your grandchild’s spouse or common-law partner
- grandson-in-law or granddaughter-in-law
- anyone else who’s related to you or your spouse or common-law partner by blood, marriage, common-law partnership, adoption or guardianship and lives at the same address as you
- For example, if your aunt, uncle or cousin lives with you, they cannot be a reference.
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