Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Renew your passport: How to renew

Before you travel or apply for a passport or travel document

Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice. If you can’t avoid it

If you still need to apply

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.

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.

Renew your passport – adults in Canada

If you have a valid passport, you must submit it with your application so we can cancel it. You can’t travel with a cancelled passport.

1. Complete the application form

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

Complete the Adult Simplified Renewal Passport Application form (PPTC 054) (PDF, 1.87 MB).

Contact us to get a Braille instruction booklet or large print form sent to you.

Does your passport have a valid visa in it?

If you send a passport for renewal that has a valid visa in it, tell us on your application form if you want it back. Explain that you want the original passport returned to you and that you still need the visa inside. If you don’t, the visa could be damaged when the previous passport is cancelled.

2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

Include the following documents with your application form:

  • your most recent passport
  • two identical passport photos (the name and address of the photographer and the date the photos were taken must be included on the back of one of the photos. Read the full requirements for more information)

You may need extra documents if you are:

3. Find two references

You will also need two references to include on your application. Your references must have known you for at least two years.

4. Submit your application and pay your fees

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 9320 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, if you’ve 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

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 pick-up service, the pick-up 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.

Renew your passport – adults in the United States

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

To renew your passport, you must be a Canadian citizen and be 16 years of age and over. Before you apply, answer a few questions or read the eligibility requirements to find out if you’re eligible to renew your passport, or if you need to apply for a new passport.

Urgent request

If you need a passport urgently or in exceptional circumstances (illness, death), contact the nearest Government of Canada passport issuing office abroad. Additional fees apply.

If you already have a passport, it will be cancelled and must be submitted with your application. A cancelled passport cannot be used for travel.

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

1. Complete the application form

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

Complete the Adult Simplified Renewal Passport Application form (PPTC 054) (PDF, 1.87 MB).

Contact us to get a Braille instruction booklet or large print form sent to you.

Does your passport have a valid visa in it?

If you submit a passport for renewal that has a valid visa, tell us on the application form that you want the original passport returned to you and that you still need that visa. If you don’t, the visa could be damaged when the previous passport is cancelled.

2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

Attention: Residents of the United States – photo

The requirements for passport photos in the United States are different from those in Canada. Submitting an unacceptable photo will result in your application being rejected and returned to you. Photos must be taken in person by a commercial photographer and must comply with the Passport Program’s requirements listed on this website.

To avoid any problems, print a copy of the passport photo specifications (PDF, 650 KB) to take with you to the photographer.

Include the following documents with your application form:

  • your most recent passport
  • 2 identical passport photos
    • The name and the complete address of the photographer and the date the photos were taken must be included on the back of 1 of the photos.

Extra documents may be required if you want to omit your place of birth on your passport.

3. Find 2 references

You will also need 2 references to include on your application. Your references must have known you for at least 2 years. You can’t use a family member 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 (opens in a new tab)

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, 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

The passport and any original documentation you submitted will be mailed to your address in the United States by courier service. They may be in 2 different packages.

Renew your passport – adults outside Canada and the United States

To renew your passport, you must be

  • a Canadian citizen
  • 16 years old or older

Before you apply, answer a few questions or read the requirements to find out if you’re eligible.

Urgent request

If you need a passport urgently or you need one in an exceptional circumstance (illness, death), contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. Additional fees apply.

1. Complete the application form

To complete the application form:

Does your passport have a valid visa in it?

When you apply to renew a passport that has a valid visa in it, use the application form to tell us that you want the original passport returned to you and that you still need the visa. If you don’t, the visa could be damaged when the previous passport is cancelled.

2. Gather all necessary documents and get your passport photo

Include the following documents with your application form:

  • your most recent passport
  • 2 identical passport photos that show, on the back:
    • the name and the complete address of the photographer
    • the date the photos were taken

3. Find 2 references

You need 2 references to include on your application.

They

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

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’ll only refund the consular fee. We don’t refund any other fees.

Find out what the fees are for your passport application and how to pay.

5. Submit your application

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

6. After you apply

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

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

Report a problem or mistake on this page
Please select all that apply:

Thank you for your help!

You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, contact us.

Date modified: