How to apply for a child’s passport in Canada
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A Canadian passport is a travel document that Canadian citizens can apply for.
A child’s passport is valid for a maximum of 5 years. It’s valid until it reaches its expiry date, even after the child turns 16.
You can’t renew a child’s passport. When the child turns 16, they can apply for a new adult passport.
Until then, you need to apply for a new child’s passport when it expires.
Your child may not need a passport to travel to the U.S. by land or sea
Children 15 and under don’t need a passport to enter the United States or return to Canada by land or sea.
Documents you can use instead of a passport:
- original or copy of their birth certificate
- It should be issued by the vital statistics department from the province or territory where they were born.
- original Canadian citizenship certificate
- Canadian citizenship card
When they turn 16, they need a passport if they’re going to enter the US.
Learn more about traveling to the US from Canada.
Who can apply for a child’s passport
To apply for a child’s passport, you must be one of the following:
- one of the child’s parents (if you’re not separated or divorced)
- the parent who has custody of the child (if you are separated or divorced) with the correct documentation
- Include all documents (including any divorce judgment) about the child’s custody, mobility or access.
- the child’s legal guardian, with the correct documentation
- Include all legal documents proving your legal guardianship of the child.
All parents or legal guardians should sign the application form.
- If you don’t know where the other parent or legal guardian is, contact us.
- We may contact the other parent or legal guardian.
If you’re worried that someone might apply for a passport for your child without your consent
Find out how to add your child’s name to a special list for their safety.
Get the forms and instructions to apply
We’ll give you the right form and tell you how to apply based on when you need a passport.
Urgent
(Service standard: end of next business day)
- Go to a passport office with urgent pick-up service
- Walk-in only, no appointments
- You must provide proof that you need the passport
- Extra fees apply
Apply to get your child’s passport by the end of the next business day
Express
(Service standard: 2 to 9 business days)
- Go to a passport office with express pick-up service
- By appointment or walk-in
- You must provide proof that you need the passport
- Extra fees apply
Standard
(Service standard: 10 to 20 business days, plus mail time)
- Go to a
- Service Canada Centre (20 business days)
- passport office (10 business days)
- By appointment or walk-in
- You can also apply by mail (20 business days)
* Service standards don’t include mail time. Mail time is usually 5 business days but can vary across the country.
Apply to get your child’s passport in 10 to 20 business days
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