How to apply for an official passport
Follow the steps below to apply for an official (special or diplomatic) passport if you don’t have a valid regular (blue) passport before.
If you do have a valid regular passport
Follow these instructions to apply for your official passport.
1. Get your documents ready
Include these documents with your application:
- the original copy of your proof of citizenship(opens in a new tab)
- 1 piece of ID(opens in a new tab)
- You can use a copy as long as your guarantor’s signature and the date are on both sides of the copy to indicate they’ve seen the originals.
- 2 identical passport photos(opens in a new tab)
- On the back of 1 photo:
- there must be a signature from your guarantor(opens in a new tab) and
- the photographer must write
- the photographer’s name, address and postal code
- the date the photo was taken
- On the back of 1 photo:
- a copy of 1 of the following documents:
- the signed travel authority and advance form
- the posting confirmation form
- a signed letter from your department
- a detailed flight itinerary, if available
You may need extra documents if
2. Find out if you need a visa
Check to see if the country you’re travelling to requires a visa.
Find out if you need a visa(opens in a new tab)
If it does, add 3 to 45 business days (depending on the country) to the 15 business days it takes for us to process your passport application.
Each country sets its own visa requirements and processing times. We have no influence over the time it takes a foreign mission to issue a visa.
3. Complete your application
To save time, complete the form on your computer. Sign each page of the application. If it’s incomplete, we’ll return it to you without processing it. This may cause travel delays.
If you need a visa for the country you’re travelling to
Include a complete visa facilitation form (PPTC 639) (PDF, 1.6 MB).
If you’re an employee of Global Affairs Canada
Include an agreement regarding continued custody of diplomatic passport (PPTC 446) (PDF, 1.07 MB).
4. Pay the fees
Special or diplomatic passport: $225
Visa: $90 per visa (if required)
How you pay depends on why you’re applying to travel on official government business or who in the Government of Canada you’re representing abroad.
A federal department or agency
Complete and include the passport information billing form [PPTC 467] (PDF, 2.2 MB).
A Crown corporation
Pay your fees online(opens in a new tab)
After you pay, you need to print a receipt and include it with your application.
National Defence
If you’re being posted somewhere
Complete and include the National Defence posting confirmation [PPTC 458] (PDF, 1.3 MB).
If you are not being posted somewhere
Complete and include the requisition form for official passports [PPTC 455] (PDF, 2.1 MB).
None of the above
If you’re paying with a credit card
Pay your fees online(opens in a new tab)
After you pay, you need to print a receipt and include it with your application.
If you’re not paying with a credit card or you’re not sure what method of payment to use
Fill out our contact form(opens in a new tab) . We’ll let you know what you need to do next.
5. Submit your application
You can apply by mail, in-person walk-in or contact us for an in-person appointment.
By mail, by courier or by messenger
Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.
Address for applicants from National Defence
DND/Official Travel section (passports)
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K2
Address for all other applicants
OSC PPT-O.T
PO BOX 8790 STN T CSC
OTTAWA ON K1G 5K8
In person
Official Travel
Place du Centre
200 promenade du Portage, Commercial Level 2
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B7
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
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