A 10-year Canadian passport costs $160 in person or $120 if you renew online — one of the few government services where the digital option is both cheaper and faster. Standard processing takes 10–20 business days; express adds $50 for 2–9 business days; and urgent service costs an extra $110 for next-business-day pickup at a passport office. If you’re travelling internationally, the safest rule is to ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates — many countries enforce this strictly at the border, and an expired or nearly-expired passport can result in being denied boarding or entry.
For renewals, the simplified process (form PPTC 054) skips the guarantor requirement entirely — you just need your previous passport and new photos. First-time applicants and parents applying for a child’s passport need a guarantor who has known you for at least two years and holds a valid Canadian passport. Passport photos cost $10–$20 at Shoppers Drug Mart, Costco, or Walmart and must be taken within the last six months with a white background. Apply by mail only if you have at least six to eight weeks before travel — mail-in applications cannot be expedited once submitted.
Passport Costs (2026)
Passport fees are set by the Government of Canada and have remained stable in recent years. The online renewal discount ($120 vs $160) is meaningful — and for eligible applicants, the online process is also faster and avoids a trip to a Service Canada Centre.
| Passport Type | In Canada | Outside Canada |
|---|---|---|
| 10-year adult (age 16+) — in person or mail | $160 | $260 |
| 10-year adult — online renewal | $120 | N/A |
| 5-year child (under 16) | $57 | $100 |
| Replacement (lost or stolen) | $160 + statutory declaration | $260 |
Expedited Processing Fees (Additional)
Express and urgent fees are charged on top of the base passport fee and are non-refundable once processing begins. Urgent service requires attending a passport office in person on the day you need the document.
| Service Level | Additional Fee | Processing Time | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $0 | 10–20 business days | In person, mail, or online |
| Express | $50 | 2–9 business days | In person at Service Canada or passport office |
| Urgent | $110 | Next business day pickup | In person at a passport office only |
For a full breakdown of all fees, see our Canadian passport cost guide.
How to Apply: New Passport (First-Time or Child)
First-time applicants cannot apply online — you must apply in person at a Service Canada Centre or passport office, or submit by mail. The guarantor requirement is the most common stumbling block for new applicants: your guarantor must have known you personally for two years, hold a valid (not expired) Canadian passport, and cannot be a family member. See the guarantor section below if you’re unsure who qualifies.
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Download the application form | PPTC 153 (adult first-time) or PPTC 155 (child) |
| 2 | Get passport photos taken | 50mm × 70mm, white background, taken within 6 months |
| 3 | Find a guarantor | Valid Canadian passport holder, known you 2+ years, not a family member |
| 4 | Have guarantor sign | Back of one photo and the declaration on the form |
| 5 | Gather supporting documents | Birth certificate or citizenship certificate + government photo ID |
| 6 | Complete the application form | Print clearly in black ink; do not sign until instructed |
| 7 | Submit and pay | In person (credit/debit) or by mail (certified cheque or money order) |
| 8 | Receive your passport | In person at the counter, or by registered mail |
For child passports (under 16): Both parents or legal guardians must sign the application unless one parent has sole custody and provides a court order. The child’s birth certificate naming both parents is required. Child passports are valid for 5 years.
How to Renew: Adult Passport (Simplified Process)
Adult renewal is significantly simpler than a new application — no guarantor, no birth certificate, and you can often complete the entire process online. The simplified renewal form (PPTC 054) is available if your previous passport was a 10-year adult passport. Your old passport will be cancelled and returned to you along with your new one.
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check online eligibility | Previous passport must be a 10-year adult passport, issued after 2012, not lost or stolen |
| 2 | Choose application method | Online ($120), in person ($160), or by mail ($160) |
| 3 | Complete form PPTC 054 | No guarantor required |
| 4 | Get new passport photos | Must meet current specifications — old photos are not accepted |
| 5 | Submit with your previous passport | Previous passport is required with the application |
| 6 | Pay the fee | Credit or debit card (online or in person); certified cheque by mail |
| 7 | Receive new passport | 10–20 business days; previous passport returned (cancelled) |
Online renewal tip: The Government of Canada’s online renewal portal walks you through eligibility. You upload a digital photo rather than printing physical ones — save the $15 photo fee if applying online.
Required Documents
Getting your documents right before you go to Service Canada saves a return trip. Incomplete applications are returned without being processed. Original documents are required — photocopies are not accepted.
| Applicant | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Canadian-born (new application) | Long-form provincial birth certificate + government photo ID + 2 passport photos + guarantor declaration |
| Naturalized citizen (new application) | Certificate of Canadian Citizenship + government photo ID + 2 passport photos + guarantor declaration |
| Adult renewal (simplified) | Previous Canadian passport + 2 new passport photos |
| Child (under 16) | Child’s birth certificate + photo IDs for both parents + 2 photos of child + both parent signatures |
| Replacing lost or stolen | Statutory declaration (notarized) + same documents as a new application |
Note on birth certificates: A short-form birth certificate (wallet size) is not accepted. You need the long-form birth certificate issued by your province’s vital statistics office. If yours is a short form, you can order a long-form replacement from your provincial registry — processing times vary by province.
Guarantor Requirements
The guarantor requirement trips up many first-time applicants. Here is exactly who qualifies and what they must do.
A guarantor must:
- Hold a valid (not expired) Canadian passport
- Be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older
- Have known the applicant personally for at least two years
- Not be a family member (spouse, parent, sibling, child)
- Not be living at the same address as the applicant
What the guarantor does:
- Signs the back of one of your two passport photos (“I certify that this is a true likeness of [your name]”)
- Signs the guarantor section of the application form
- Provides their Canadian passport number on the form
Common guarantor choices include a neighbour, longtime friend, coworker, doctor, lawyer, accountant, or teacher. The guarantor does not need to appear in person at the passport office — their signed declaration on the form and photo is sufficient.
Passport Photo Requirements
Photos are a common reason for application rejection. Getting them right the first time avoids delays. Most pharmacies and big-box stores (Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Costco, London Drugs) offer compliant photos for $10–$20 and will confirm they meet government specifications.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 50mm × 70mm (approximately 2" × 2¾") |
| Background | Plain white or light grey — no patterns, shadows, or objects |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Head position | Straight ahead, full face visible, centred in frame |
| Glasses | Not permitted (as of April 2023 — even prescription glasses) |
| Head covering | Only for documented religious or medical reasons; full face must be visible |
| Print quality | High resolution, no shadows, no red-eye, no filters |
Important: As of April 2023, glasses are no longer permitted in Canadian passport photos under any circumstances, including prescription glasses. If you wore glasses in a photo taken before this date, you need new photos.
Where to Apply
Choosing the right application channel saves time and money. In-person is required for first-time applicants, children, and anyone needing express or urgent service. Mail is convenient but slow and cannot be expedited.
| Channel | Who Can Use It | Processing Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Canada Centre (in person) | All applicants | Standard or express | Some walk-in; some appointment — check online |
| Passport office (major cities) | All applicants | Standard, express, or urgent | Urgent (next-day) available here only |
| All except urgent | Standard only (20+ business days) | Cannot be expedited after submission | |
| Online | Adult renewals only | Standard (10–20 business days) | Cheapest option at $120; digital photo upload |
Tip: During peak travel season (March–August), wait times at passport offices and some Service Canada Centres are significantly longer. Book an appointment online if available — walk-in queues at busy passport offices can stretch to several hours. The Government of Canada’s find a passport office tool shows locations and available services near you.
Travel Passport Validity Rules by Destination
Many Canadians are caught off guard by destination-specific validity requirements. Even if your passport technically doesn’t expire before your trip, many countries require it to be valid for 3–6 months beyond your departure date. Airlines will often refuse boarding if your passport doesn’t meet the destination’s requirements.
| Destination | Minimum Passport Validity Required |
|---|---|
| United States | Valid for duration of stay (no 6-month rule) |
| Mexico | Valid for duration of stay |
| United Kingdom | Valid for duration of stay |
| Europe (Schengen area) | Valid 3+ months beyond your return date |
| Australia | Valid 6+ months beyond arrival date |
| Japan | Valid for duration of stay |
| Most Southeast Asia | Valid 6+ months beyond arrival date |
| Most other destinations | Valid 6+ months beyond travel dates (apply this as a default) |
When in doubt, apply the six-month rule — if your passport expires within six months of your return date, renew before you travel. Renewal takes 10–20 business days under standard processing, so plan accordingly.
Common Mistakes That Delay Applications
These are the most frequent reasons Canadian passport applications are returned or delayed:
- Wrong birth certificate — submitting a short-form or wallet-size certificate instead of the full long-form version
- Photos taken with glasses — no longer permitted as of April 2023
- Guarantor is a family member — a spouse, parent, or sibling cannot serve as guarantor
- Guarantor’s passport is expired — the guarantor must hold a currently valid passport
- Applying by mail when time is short — mail applications take 20+ business days and cannot be expedited
- Not submitting original documents — photocopies of birth certificates and citizenship certificates are rejected
- Missing parent signature on child application — both parents must sign unless sole custody documentation is provided
- Renewing too early or too late — you can renew up to 12 months before expiry; if your passport is already expired, you still use the renewal form (PPTC 054) as long as it meets the simplified renewal criteria
Key Takeaways
- Renew online if eligible — it costs $120 vs $160 and skips the photo printing step
- First-time applicants must apply in person or by mail — online is for adult renewals only
- Guarantors cannot be family members and must hold a valid (not expired) Canadian passport
- No glasses in photos — this rule changed in April 2023 and applies to everyone
- Mail applications cannot be expedited — if you need it quickly, apply in person
- Apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel for standard processing; more during peak season
- Renew before your passport has less than 6 months validity — many countries will deny entry otherwise
Related Guides
- Canadian Passport Cost (2026)
- Best Travel Insurance in Canada (2026)
- Best No-Foreign-Transaction-Fee Credit Cards
- Cross-Border Shopping Guide — Canada to US
- Canadian Snowbird Guide
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