Guide to Obtaining or Renewing a Canadian Passport

Key Takeaways

• Service Canada has reduced wait times with expanded processing hubs and faster passport services.
• Getting a new passport requires identity verification, taking photos, and supporting documentation.
• Statutory Declarations may be needed for translation certification or when lacking a guarantor.
• NotaryPro offers online and in-person notary and document notary and commissioning services for any documents you need for your passport application.

With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, most Canadians didn’t need their Canadian passports for cross-border trips. When travel restrictions were lifted, Canadians were itching to embark on overseas adventures — needing to obtain or renew Canadian passports in droves.

The pandemic halted cross-border trips for Canadians for several years — but travel is coming back into full swing.  The travel industry is predicted to fully bounce back by the end of 2024, despite losing 75% of its value in 2020. Canadians took 3.9 million international trips in February 2024, climbing 19% from the number of trips taken in February 2023.

If you’re among the Canadians eager to travel, you’ll want to ensure your passport is ready. Here, we’ll cover how to renew an existing Canadian passport, how to obtain a new one, and when notary services come into play.

Canadian Wait Times for Passports

Service Canada announced it had hired 600 new employees in 2023 to reduce wait times for passports. It also opened 300 dedicated passport intake counters, created additional processing hubs, and introduced a new workload management system to increase efficiency.

Canadians who don’t have immediate travel plans can access a 20-business-day passport service, available for in-person applications at most Service Canada Centres. If you require a passport sooner, 56 Service Canada Centres and all passport offices across Canada offer a 10-business-day service. You can find a passport office or Service Canada location with a 10-day service option here.

Canadian Passport Renewal 

In response to a high volume of renewals, you are now able to renew your adult passport if it’s expired, damaged, lost or stolen if:

• it was issued within 15 years of the date you apply and
• you meet all the other requirements

Renewing a passport is simpler than applying for a new one, because you don’t need:

• proof of Canadian citizenship
• a guarantor
• supporting identification

To get started, answer a few questions here to receive all the forms and instructions you need to receive a new passport. You have the option to complete the passport renewal process in person or by mail.

Applying for a New Passport

Adult Canadian Passports (16 Years and Older)

Ensure you have the correct documentation when applying for a new passport to save valuable time. You must submit the following documents to obtain a new passport:

• At least one valid document to verify your identity
  • Your identity document can be an original copy or a photocopy (of both sides)
  • Each photocopy of your ID must be signed and dated by your guarantor or signing official (if you used a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor)
• Two passport photos signed by your guarantor
• The contact information of two references
• Additional documents if you’re changing your name, if applicable

Adult Identity Document Requirements

If you have a valid passport, you need to include it with your application; sometimes, you can use your Canadian passport as your identification document (ID). To obtain an adult Canadian passport, your ID must:

• be valid
• be issued by a provincial, federal, territorial or state government authority, or the equivalent abroad
• include your name, signature, photo, and date of birth

Accepted Identity Documents for a Canadian Adult Passport

The government of Canada will accept the following identity documents when issuing an adult a new passport:

• driver’s licence issued by a territory or province, or the equivalent internationally
• Canadian passport
• health card issued by a province or territory, or the equivalent overseas
• foreign passport
• Certificate of Indian Status
• military Identification
• non-driver’s licence issued by a territory or province, or the equivalent abroad
• ID card issued by the Canadian government, a provincial or territorial government, or the equivalent internationally
• employee ID issued by the Canadian government, a provincial or territorial government, or the equivalent overseas

Child Canadian Passports (Newborns to 15-Years-Olds)

If you’re looking to travel with your child, they’ll need a passport of their own. To apply for a child passport, you must be either:

• one of the child’s birth parents (if you are not separated or divorced)
• the parent who has decision-making responsibilities over or custody of the child (if you are separated or divorced)
• the child’s legal guardian (you must submit all legal documents proving legal guardianship)

Documents Required for a Canadian Child Passport

When you apply for a passport for a child, the government requires you to submit:

• proof of the child’s Canadian citizenship
• proof of custody, decision-making responsibilities, separation or divorce
• proof of parentage

Note: You cannot renew a child passport, you need to apply for a new one when it expires. Once a child turns 16, they can apply for an adult passport.

Notary Services and Applying for a Canadian Passport

Commissioning a Statutory Declaration of Translation

Documents required to apply for a Canadian passport must be translated if they are not written in English or French. Certified professional translators and non-certified translators must complete a Statutory Declaration of Translation.

This Declaration affirms the accuracy and integrity of a translated document. It serves as a pledge from the translator, confirming that the translation genuinely captures the original text.

A Statutory Declaration of Translation must be commissioned by an authorized official, like a notary public or commissioner. You can draft a Statutory Declaration of Translation using our free template — then have it commissioned online in under 7 minutes!

Notarizing a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor 

When applying for a new Canadian passport, you’ll need a guarantor. Your guarantor can be anyone, including a family member or a member of your household. They need to have known you for a minimum of 2 years, be a Canadian citizen, and be at least 18 years of age. Read the full list of requirements to be a guarantor for more information.

Your guarantor must sign your application, passport photo, and identity documentation (if you’re using photocopies). If you don’t have a guarantor, you’ll need to complete a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form. In this declaration, you would explain the reason you don’t have a guarantor. 

Your Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor must be verified by an authorized official, like a notary public. When you meet a notary, they will verify your identity, witness your signature, and stamp your declaration. They must also sign the back of your passport photo and photocopies of your ID with wet ink. Therefore, a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor can only be notarized in person. Find an in-person notary public near you to get started!

Wrap-Up

Travel demand is on the rise, and many Canadians are booking international adventures. Getting a new Canadian passport or renewing your current one will enable you to make new memories and explore abroad.

NotaryPro’s online notary platform can speed up certain parts of the passport application process, saving you time. If you have any questions about our notary services, feel free to reach out to us!