Apply for a travel document for non-Canadians: How to apply
Refugee travel document and certificate of identity services are now available
If you already applied and now need a travel document urgently, contact us.
We’re offering assistance to people affected by Hurricane Fiona
If you were directly affected by the hurricane, you may be able to get
- free replacement of documents that are lost, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible due to the floods
- urgent processing and a refund for an application you’ve submitted because of the floods
Answer a few questions to find out how to apply. Keep in mind
- you need to be in Canada to get service
- you need to submit your application by mail
- In person services are not available.
Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity – adults (16 years of age or over)
1. Contact us for next steps
Fill out our web form.
- Under Type of application/enquiry, select Certificate of Identity/Refugee Travel Document.
- Include your travel date.
- Include the reason you need the travel document.
After you fill out the form, we’ll contact you and give you information on the next steps.
- While you wait for us to contact you, you can start getting your application ready.
- The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity.
2. Complete the form
To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.
Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.
If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.
Instructions and tips
- To save time, complete the form on your computer.
- If you can’t open the form, follow these instructions.
- To get a Braille instruction booklet or large-print forms, contact us.
- Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
- Sign each page of the application.
- If the term “mother’s surname” doesn’t apply to you
- 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,
and - write your initials in the margin
3. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo
Here is a list of necessary documents:
- Your proof of immigration status in Canada
- A document to support your identity
- It can be either
- the original document or
- a photocopy of it signed by your guarantor
- It can be either
- Any valid passport or travel document issued in your name
- 2 identical passport photos
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- Your guarantor must sign it and write, “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
- The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- Read the full photo requirements for more information.
All your documents must be in English or French. If a document is in another language, provide an official translation.
You may need extra documents if you’re
- changing your name
- replacing a lost, stolen or damaged travel document
- changing the sex on your travel document
4. Find a guarantor and 2 references
You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign
- your application
- the back of 1 of your passport photos
- the front and back of all photocopies of your supporting identity documents (ID)
You also need 2 references to include on your application.
Your references and guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months. Learn who’s eligible to act as a guarantor and as a reference.
We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.
Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity – children (under 16 years of age)
1. Contact us for next steps
Fill out our web form.
- Under Type of application/enquiry, select Certificate of Identity/Refugee Travel Document.
- Include your travel date.
- Include the reason you need the travel document.
After you fill out the form, we’ll contact you and give you information on the next steps.
- While you wait for us to contact you, you can start getting your application ready.
- The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity.
2. Complete the form
To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.
Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.
If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.
Instructions and tips
- To save time, complete the form on your computer.
- If you can’t open the form, follow these instructions.
- To get a Braille instruction booklet or large-print forms, contact us.
- Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
- Sign each page of the application.
- If the term “mother’s surname” doesn’t apply to you
- 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,
and - write your initials in the margin
3. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo
Here is a list of necessary documents:
- Your proof of immigration status in Canada
- A document to support your identity
- It can be either
- the original document or
- a photocopy of it signed by your guarantor
- It can be either
- Any valid passport or travel document issued in your name
- 2 identical passport photos
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- Your guarantor must sign it and write, “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
- The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- Read the full photo requirements for more information.
All your documents must be in English or French. If a document is in another language, provide an official translation.
You may need extra documents if you’re
- changing your name
- replacing a lost, stolen or damaged travel document
- changing the sex on your travel document
4. Find a guarantor and 2 references
You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign
- your application
- the back of 1 of your passport photos
- the front and back of all photocopies of your supporting identity documents (ID)
You also need 2 references to include on your application.
Your references and guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months. Learn who’s eligible to act as a guarantor and as a reference.
We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.
Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity – adults (16 years of age or over)
The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity.
1. Complete the form
To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.
Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.
If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.
Instructions and tips
- To save time, complete the form on your computer.
- If you can’t open the form, follow these instructions.
- To get a Braille instruction booklet or large-print forms, contact us.
- Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
- Sign each page of the application.
- If the term “mother’s surname” doesn’t apply to you
- 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
and - write your initials in the margin
2. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo
Include the following documents with your application form:
- a photocopy of your proof of immigration status in Canada
- a document to support your identity
- It can be either
- the original document or
- a photocopy of it signed by your guarantor
- It can be either
- any valid passport or travel document issued in your name
- 2 identical passport photos
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- the photographer must write the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- your guarantor must sign it and write “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name)”
- the photographer must write the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
Read the full photo requirements for more information.
All your documents must be in English or French. If a document is in another language, provide an official translation.
You may need extra documents if you’re
- changing your name
- replacing a lost, stolen or damaged travel document
- changing the sex on your travel document
3. Find a guarantor and 2 references
You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign
- your application
- the back of 1 of your passport photos
- the front and back of all photocopies of your supporting identity documents (ID)
You also need 2 references to include on your application.
Your references and guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months. Learn who’s eligible to act as a guarantor and as a reference.
4. Pay your fees
Your fees and payment methods depend on which document you apply for.
5. Submit your application
You need to apply by mail. In person services are not available.
We recommend you use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce delivery time, protect your documents and track delivery.
Courier address
Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section
Place du Centre, Commercial Level 2
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec J8X 4B7
Mailing address (non-courier)
OSC PPT-COI
PO Box 8783 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5G8
We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.
Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity – children (under 16 years of age)
The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity. Once we receive your application, we decide
- which type of travel document to give you
- how long it will be valid for
1. Complete the form
To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.
Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.
If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.
Instructions and tips
- To save time, complete the form on your computer.
- If you can’t open the form, follow these instructions.
- To get a Braille instruction booklet or large-print forms, contact us.
- Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
- Sign each page of the application.
- If the term “mother’s surname” doesn’t apply to you
- 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
and - write your initials in the margin
2. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo
Include the following documents with your application form:
- a photocopy of the child’s proof of immigration status in Canada
- a document to support their identity
- It can be either
- the original document or
- a photocopy of it signed by your guarantor
- It can be either
- 2 identical passport photos
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- the photographer must write the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- your guarantor must sign it and write “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your child’s name)”
- Read the full photo requirements for more information.
- the photographer must write the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- any valid passport or travel document in the child’s name
- proof of parentage or proof of legal guardianship (if applicable)
- all documents that refer to the custody of, mobility of, or access to the child
All documents must be sent in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation.
You may need extra documents if
- your child’s name has changed
- you’re replacing a lost, stolen or damaged travel document
- you’re updating the gender identifier on your child’s travel document
3. Find a guarantor
You’ll need to find a guarantor to sign
- the child’s application
- the back of 1 of the photos
- the front and back of all photocopies of their supporting identity document (ID)
Your guarantor must
- be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen
- live in Canada
- have known you (the child’s parent or legal guardian) personally for at least 6 months and know of the child
- be an occupation-based guarantor who is
- registered or licensed and
- currently works in their field
See the list of eligible occupations, as well as the full requirements for a travel document guarantor.
4. Pay your fees
Your fees and payment methods depend on which document you apply for.
5. Submit your application
You need to apply by mail. In person services are not available.
We recommend you use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce delivery time, protect your documents and track delivery.
Courier address
Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section
Place du Centre, Commercial Level 2
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec J8X 4B7
Mailing address (non-courier)
OSC PPT-COI
PO Box 8783 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5G8
We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.
You need to be in Canada to apply for a travel document
Travel document services aren’t available outside of Canada.
If you have an emergency, contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad.
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