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Apply for a passport: How to apply

Before you travel or apply for a passport

The forms and documents you need to submit may be different depending on where you are.

If you’re having problems with our forms, learn how to open the forms on your computer.

Apply for a passport – adult in Canada

1. Complete the application form

To save time, complete the form on your computer. Sign each page of the application.

Download the adult passport application (PPTC 153) (PDF, 1.66 MB)

Instructions and tips

  • Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
  • If you can’t open the form, follow these instructions.
  • To get a Braille instruction booklet or large-print forms sent to you, contact us.
  • The term “mother’s surname” may not apply to you. If it doesn’t
    • cross it out on the form and write “parent’s surname at birth”
    • fill in the field with the surname (last name) at birth of 1 parent
    • write your initials in the margin

2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

Include the following documents with your application form:

  • proof of Canadian citizenship (original only)
  • a document to support your identity
  • any valid Canadian passport or travel document (refugee travel document or certificate of identity) issued in your current name or any other name of yours
    • This is so we can cancel it. You can’t travel with a cancelled passport or travel document.
  • 2 identical passport photos
    • On the back of one of the photos, the photographer must write
      • their name
      • their complete address and
      • the date the photos were taken
    • Your guarantor must also sign the back of this photo.
    • Read the full photo requirements for more information.

Extra documents may need to be provided if you:

All documents must be submitted in either French or English. If a document is in another language, an official translation must be provided.

3. Find a guarantor and 2 references

For new passport applications you will need to find a guarantor to sign your application, one of your passport photos and all copies of any supporting identity documents you are submitting with your application.

You will also need 2 references to include on your application. Your references must have known you for at least 2 years. You cannot use a family member or your guarantor as a reference.

4. Submit your application

Submit the application by mail from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan

Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

Mailing address (non-courier)

Government of Canada
Passport Program
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0G3

Courier address

Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 de Varennes Street
Gatineau, Quebec  J8T 8R1

Submit the application by mail from British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut or Yukon

Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

Mailing address (non-courier)

Government of Canada
Passport Program
Box 4000 STN LCD 3
Mississauga, Ontario  L5K 0A9

Courier address

Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 de Varennes Street
Gatineau, Quebec  J8T 8R1

Submit the application by mail from New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island

Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

Mailing address (non-courier)

Government of Canada
Passport Program
Box 9325 RPO CSC
Halifax, Nova Scotia,  B3K 0J1

Courier address

Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 de Varennes Street
Gatineau, Quebec  J8T 8R1

If you’re applying in person

By appointment
  • You need to complete the online Service Canada form .
    • complete the required fields
    • click on Passport services: appointment request for a passport service
    • check the box beside If you need to apply in person, select this option
  • Service Canada will call you back to schedule your appointment.
Without an appointment (walk-in)

You can go to any passport office (Service Canada Centre – Passport Services) or Service Canada Centre that offers passport services without an appointment (also called walk-in services).

Walk-in services are not guaranteed. They may not be available at busy locations.

If you can’t submit your application yourself, someone else can submit your application for you.

Paying your fees

Your fees depend on what services you’re getting and how you’re applying.

Fees and methods of payment for in-Canada applications 

You won’t receive a refund for the service fee if you

  • cancel your application
  • are refused a travel document
  • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, in cases where an individual has had multiple losses)

Only the consular fee, which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

5. Receiving your passport

If you applied by mail, the passport (and any original documentation you submitted) will be returned to you by mail, and may be in 2 separate packages.

If you applied in person and paid for a pickup service, the pickup date will be indicated on your receipt.

You can send someone else to pick up your passport if they have valid identification and written authorization from you to do so.

NEXUS cardholders – Make sure your personal information is up to date.

Apply for a passport – adults in the United States

You must send your application by mail to our office in Canada. Government of Canada consular offices in the United States do not provide passport services.

If you need a passport urgently, contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad. Additional fees apply.

1. Complete the application form

To save time, complete the form on your computer. Sign each page of the application.

Download the adult passport application [PPTC 153] (PDF, 421.64 KB)

If you choose an occupation-based guarantor

Make sure your guarantor is eligible first. If they are, you need the PPTC 140 form instead. It’s only available online.

Download the adult passport application for using an occupation-based guarantor [PPTC 140] (PDF, 406.53 KB)

Instructions and tips

  • Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
  • If you can’t open the form, follow these instructions.
  • To get a Braille instruction booklet or large-print forms sent to you, contact us.
  • The term “mother’s surname” may not apply to you. If it doesn’t
    • cross it out on the form and write “parent’s surname at birth”
    • fill in the field with the surname (last name) at birth of 1 parent
    • write your initials in the margin

2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

Include the following documents with your application form:

  • proof of Canadian citizenship (original only)
  • a document to support your identity
  • any valid Canadian passport or travel document (refugee travel document or certificate of identity) issued in your current name or any other name of yours
    • This is so we can cancel it. You can’t travel with a cancelled passport or travel document.
  • 2 identical passport photos
    • On the back of one of the photos, the photographer must write
      • their name
      • their complete address and
      • the date the photos were taken
    • Your guarantor must also sign the back of this photo.
    • Read the full photo requirements for more information.

Passport photo requirements in the United States are different than in Canada

Your photos must comply with our 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, 652.38 KB) to bring with you to the photographer.

Extra documents may need to be provided if you:

All documents must be submitted in either French or English. If a document is in another language, an official translation must be provided.

3. Find a guarantor and two references

For new passport applications you will need to find a guarantor to sign your application, one of your passport photos and all copies of any supporting identity documents you are submitting with your application.

You will also need two references to include on your application. Your references must have known you for at least two years. You cannot use a family member or your guarantor as a reference.

4. Submit your application and pay your fees

You must mail your application to our office in Canada. Using a certified courier or traceable mail service can reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

By mail:

Government of Canada
Passport Program
Gatineau QC K1A 0G3
Canada

By certified courier:

Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 de Varennes Street
Gatineau QC J8T 8R1
Canada

Paying your fees

Your fees depend on what services you’re getting.

Fees and methods of payment for U.S. applications

You won’t receive a refund for the service fee if you

  • cancel your application
  • are refused a travel document, or
  • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, if you have lost your passport multiple times)

Only the consular fee, which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

5. Receiving your passport

We’ll mail the passport and any original documentation you submitted to your address in the United States by courier service. They may arrive in 2 different packages.

NEXUS cardholders – Make sure your personal information is up to date.

Apply for a passport – adults outside Canada and the United States

If you need a passport urgently contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. Additional fees apply.

1. Complete the application form

To save time, complete the form on your computer. Sign each page of the application.

Download the adult passport application [PPTC 040] (PDF, 1.47 MB)

Instructions and tips

  • Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
  • If you can’t open the form, follow these instructions.
  • To get a Braille instruction booklet or large-print forms sent to you, contact us.
  • The term “mother’s surname” may not apply to you. If it doesn’t
    • cross it out on the form and write “parent’s surname at birth”
    • fill in the field with the surname (last name) at birth of 1 parent
    • write your initials in the margin

2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

Include the following documents with your application form:

You may need to provide extra documents if you’re:

Submit all documents in French or English. If a document is in another language, provide an official translation.

3. Find a guarantor and 2 references

For new passport applications, you need to find a guarantor to sign:

  • your application
  • 1 of your passport photos
  • all copies of any supporting identity documents

You also need to include 2 references on your application. They:

  • must have known you for 2 or more years
  • can’t be a family member
  • can’t be the guarantor

4. Pay your fees

You need to pay your fees before you submit your application. Your fees and payment options depend on:

  • the type of passport you’re applying for
  • the services you need

If you apply for a passport and we refuse your application, we only refund the consular fee. We can’t refund any other fees.

Find out what the fees are and how to pay them.

Submit your application

After you pay, include your receipt with your application and submit it to your nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.

After you apply

Are you also submitting an application for your child? Find out how to apply for a passport for your child.

nexus cardholders – Make sure your personal information is up to date.

The office where you applied will let you know when your passport is ready and tell you when and how to pick it up.

How to open our forms

You need to

  • use your computer
    • The forms may not open on mobile devices (iPads, tablets, mobile phones).
  • save the file on your computer in a place you can remember
  • use Adobe Reader 10 or higher to open the file on your computer

For more help, see our step-by-step instructions on downloading and opening PDFs. If you still have trouble opening the forms, contact us online or call us at 1-800-567-6868. If you’re outside Canada or the United States, contact the closest Canadian government office abroad.

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