Check processing times and service standards for passport services
We’re experiencing high call volumes. You may experience longer wait times.
Find out which passport and travel document services are available, including how to
- apply
- check the status of your application
- contact us
On this page
- Processing times for passport applications
- Check your application status
- Passport and travel document fees
Processing times for passport applications
We try our best to meet our service standards. However, some of the measures we’ve put in place to safeguard the health and safety of clients and employees may affect how quickly we can process your application.
Processing times depend on how you applied. Your application processing time
- starts once we have received both
- your application form, and
- all your supporting documents
- depends on whether your application is properly completed or not
- doesn’t include mailing time
A small number of cases may take longer so we can do necessary
- routine verifications, and
- security checks
Applications submitted in Canada
Service standards
- In person at a passport office (Service Canada Centre – Passport Services)
- 10 business days
- By mail or in person at a Service Canada Centre
- 20 business days
This doesn’t include mailing time. We aren’t liable for any losses if we can’t deliver your passport in time. We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.
Urgent or express service
You must apply for urgent or express services in person.
Additional fees apply.
Our service standards for urgent and express service are
- urgent pick-up: by the end of the next business day
- express pick-up: 2 to 9 business days
We try our best to meet our service standards, but we aren’t liable for any losses as a result of the passport not being issued or delivered to you or your child in time. We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.
Applications submitted from the United States
If you live in the United States, you must submit a passport application by mail.
The processing time for mailed applications from the United States is 20 business days.
This doesn’t include mailing time. Passports are printed in Canada, and mailing time varies by region. Because of this, you should give yourself extra time when applying.
If you need a passport urgently or in certain circumstances (such as illness or death), contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad. Additional fees apply.
Applications submitted outside Canada and the United States
If you are outside Canada and the United States, you must contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad by telephone or email to submit your application.
Additional fees may apply for urgent passport services.
The processing time for applications submitted outside Canada is 20 business days.
This doesn’t include mailing time. Passports are printed in Canada, and mailing time varies by region. Because of this, you should give yourself extra time when applying.
You may also check what local processing times are at your nearest Government of Canada office abroad.
Check your application status
You can check your application status if you submitted it more than 20 business days ago.
If you just applied, wait at least 20 business days before contacting us.
Passport and travel document fees
COVID-19 is causing disruptions to our services that are beyond our control. As a result, we may not always meet our passport and travel document service standards.
If you submit a passport or travel document application between April 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, you aren’t eligible for any fee refunds under the Service Fees Act.
Learn more about
Report a problem or mistake on this page
- Date modified: