Planning to travel? Here’s how to apply for a Canadian passport and other travel documents in Canada

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
November 9, 2026

Canadian citizens living in Canada can apply for a new passport, renew an existing adult passport or obtain travel documents for children through the federal government’s Passport Program, which provides different application options depending on an applicant’s circumstances and how quickly the document is needed.

The Government of Canada has published a central online guide explaining how applicants can submit their documents, pay the required fees, locate passport service offices and request urgent or express processing.

The guide, administered through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and supported by other federal departments, also provides information for people who need refugee travel documents or certificates of identity rather than a regular Canadian passport.

For Canadians preparing for international travel, understanding the application process is important because processing times vary depending on the method of submission, the type of document requested and whether the application is complete.

Who can apply for a Canadian passport?

A Canadian passport is a travel document available to Canadian citizens.

Adults aged 16 and above may apply for a new passport or renew an eligible existing adult passport. Parents and legal guardians can also apply for passports on behalf of children under 16.

The government distinguishes between a new adult application and a renewal. Renewing an eligible adult passport is generally simpler because applicants do not need to provide a guarantor, proof of Canadian citizenship or supporting identification in the same way required for a new adult application.

However, child passports cannot be renewed. A new application must be submitted whenever a child’s passport expires. Child passports are valid for a maximum of five years.

How to apply for a new adult passport

Canadians applying for their first adult passport, or those who are not eligible to renew an existing passport, must follow the new adult application process.

The application requires supporting documents, passport photographs and information from a guarantor and two references, alongside the completed application form and applicable payment.

Applicants should carefully review the government’s document checklist before submitting their applications. Missing information, incorrect photographs or incomplete supporting documents can delay processing.

The government provides separate instructions for applicants applying in person, by mail and through eligible online services.

Online passport renewal now available

One of the options highlighted in the government’s guidance is online adult passport renewal.

Eligible applicants who need their passport in 20 business days or more may be able to complete the renewal process online.

The online option is not available to everyone. Applicants must first check whether they meet the eligibility requirements and follow the government’s instructions.

Those who do not qualify for online renewal can use the other available application methods.

The government also stresses that child passports cannot be renewed online or through the regular adult renewal process. Parents and guardians must apply for a new child passport when required.

Applying for a Canadian passport for a child

Parents and legal guardians can apply for Canadian passports for children under 16.

The government says an application may be submitted by a parent, a parent with custody or decision-making responsibilities where the parents are separated or divorced, or a child’s legal guardian.

All parents or legal guardians should sign the application form. Officials may also contact other parents or guardians as part of the process.

Where a legal guardian is applying, relevant legal documents establishing guardianship must be included.

A child passport is valid for a maximum of five years. It remains valid until its expiry date even if the child turns 16 before then. Once the child turns 16, they can apply for an adult passport.

Processing times: How long does it take?

The time required to receive a Canadian passport depends on where and how the application is submitted.

According to the federal government’s published service standards, regular passport applications submitted in Canada have the following processing targets:

• 10 business days: Applications submitted in person at a passport office or a Service Canada Centre offering 10-day processing.
• 20 business days: Applications submitted at a regular Service Canada Centre, an eligible scheduled outreach site, by mail or online.

Applicants who need their passports sooner may qualify for expedited services.

Express pickup is available within two to nine business days, while urgent pickup is intended to provide a passport by the end of the next business day.

Urgent and express services are available only at designated passport offices, and additional fees apply. Applicants requesting urgent service must provide evidence explaining why they need the passport quickly.

The government warns that these processing standards do not include mailing time. Applications may also take longer if officials request corrections, replacement photographs, additional documents or routine verification checks.

It therefore advises applicants not to finalise travel plans until they have received their passports.

Updated Canadian passport fees

Canadians applying for passports should also take note of the revised federal fees that came into effect on March 31, 2026.

The government increased most passport and travel document charges to reflect inflation and the cost of delivering the services. It also introduced annual fee adjustments under the Service Fees Act.

For applications submitted in Canada, the updated fees include:

These figures cover the listed passport or service charges. Other administrative fees may apply depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

The government says the amount payable for an online or in-person application is determined by the date the application is submitted. For mailed applications, the applicable fee is based on the date the government receives the application, not the date it was posted.

Applicants are therefore encouraged to confirm the current fee before submitting their documents.

What happens if you need a passport urgently?

Canadians facing urgent travel situations may request expedited passport services.

For express pickup, applicants may receive their passports within two to nine business days. Those requiring a passport by the end of the next business day must apply at a passport office that offers urgent pickup.

Proof of the need for urgent travel may include:

• An airline, bus or train ticket.
• A paid travel itinerary.
• Evidence of illness or death in the family requiring travel.
• A written explanation of a legal, banking or residency requirement.

People travelling by car may provide a written statement explaining why the passport is required.

Urgent service is not automatically guaranteed simply because an applicant has an upcoming trip. The applicant must meet the government’s requirements and submit the application through an appropriate office.

What about refugees and other non-Canadian residents?

The government’s travel document programme also covers certain people who are not Canadian citizens.

Eligible individuals may apply for a refugee travel document or a certificate of identity, depending on their immigration and protection status.

These documents are different from Canadian passports and are not available to every temporary or permanent resident.

A person’s eligibility depends on the applicable federal rules and their individual circumstances. Applicants should consult IRCC’s specific guidance before submitting an application.

Where can applicants submit their applications?

The federal government provides an online directory through which applicants can locate passport offices and Service Canada Centres offering passport services.

Depending on the service required, applicants may be able to submit their documents by appointment, as a walk-in or by mail.

Those who need urgent or express processing should first confirm that their chosen office provides the relevant service. Not every Service Canada Centre offers the same processing options.

Applicants can also use the government’s online tools to check application status and find out what to do if a passport is lost, stolen or damaged.

A reminder for Canadians preparing to travel

The federal government’s guidance is intended to help Canadians understand the different passport and travel document services available within the country.

Applicants should ensure that their forms, photographs, supporting documents and payments meet the requirements before submitting an application. They should also allow sufficient time for processing and delivery, particularly when planning international travel.

For official information, application forms, fees, processing standards and service locations, applicants should consult the Government of Canada’s passport website rather than rely on unofficial advice or third-party claims.

Official government resource: Canadian passports and other travel documents — Applying in Canada.