Check passport and travel document service standards

You can find the service standards below to see approximately how long it may take us to process your application under normal circumstances. We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.

What’s the difference between a service standard and a processing time?

The service standard for your application is our commitment to process your application in a certain amount of time, under normal circumstances.

The processing time for your application is the actual time it takes us to process your application. We can’t tell you exactly how long it will take.

  • Your processing time
    • starts once we have
      • your application form
      • all your supporting documents, and
      • payment for your fees
    • depends on whether your application is properly completed or not
    • depends on how you applied
    • doesn’t include mailing time
  • A small number of cases may take longer when we do
    • routine verifications, and
    • security checks

Service standards for regular passport applications submitted in Canada

Wait times may be long at some passport offices

Avoid potential lines by applying in person at a Service Canada Centre or by mail.

Submitted in person at a passport office (Service Canada Centre – Passport Services) or Service Canada Centre that offers 10-day processing


10Footnote *

business days

Submitted in person at a regular Service Canada Centre, a Service Canada Scheduled Outreach Site that offers passport services or by mail


20Footnote *

business days

Check your application status

Answer a few questions to find out how to check your application status.

Learn how to check the status of your application

If we don’t meet our service standards

You may be eligible for a partial refund of some of your fees under the Service Fees Act. Refunds are processed automatically. Learn what refunds you might be eligible for.

Learn more about our policies for fee remissions:

Service standards for urgent or express passport applications submitted in Canada

Urgent pick-up

By end of next business day

Express pick-up

2 to 9

business days

We aren’t liable for any losses as a result of the passport not being issued to you or your child in time.

A passport officer will tell you the date of your pick-up when you apply.

Learn more about urgent or express passport services.

Service standards for regular passport applications submitted from the US

Applications mailed from the US

20Footnote *

business days

Check your application status

Answer a few questions to find out how to check your application status.

Learn how to check the status of your application

If we don’t meet our service standards

You may be eligible for a partial refund of some of your fees under the Service Fees Act. Refunds are processed automatically. Learn what refunds you might be eligible for.

Learn more about our policies for fee remissions:

Service standards for regular passport applications submitted outside Canada and the US

Applications mailed from abroad

20Footnote *

business days

Check your application status

Answer a few questions to find out how to check your application status.

Learn how to check the status of your application

If we don’t meet our service standards

You may be eligible for a partial refund of some of your fees under the Service Fees Act. Refunds are processed automatically. Learn what refunds you might be eligible for.

Learn more about our policies for fee remissions:

Service standards for other travel document applications

We aim to process applications within our service standard.

  • Although we’re working through some older and complex applications, we’re now meeting our service standard for applications submitted on or after February 1st, 2023.
  • If you already applied and now need a travel document urgently, contact us.
    • We aim to respond to urgent requests sent through our web form within 3 business days.

We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your travel document.

Refugee travel documents and certificates of identity

20Footnote *

business days

If we don’t meet our service standards

You may be eligible for a partial refund of some of your fees under the Service Fees Act. Refunds are processed automatically. Learn what refunds you might be eligible for.

Learn more about our policies for fee remissions:

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