1. Canadian Passport

2. Quick facts about the Passport
24 pages long
Currently, passports are valid for 5 years for adults
As of July 2013, you will have the option for a 10-year passport

3. Where to get an application?
Post Office
Travel Agent
Service Canada Office
Online at
You will need the form called “Adults (16 years of age or over)”

4. How long does it take? Can I get it faster? How you submitted it
Processing Time
(does not include delivery time)
In Person at a Passport Canada office (Ottawa or Whitby are closest)
10 business days
By Mail
20 business days
Through a receiving agent
(Service Canada or Canada Post)
Can I get it faster?
Service
Additional Fee
Processing Time
Urgent Pick-up
$70
24 Hours
Express Pick-up
$30
2 to 9 business days
Standard Pick-up
$10
10 business days

5. What do I need to get a passport?
2 identical passport photos, 1 certified by your guarantor
Proof of Canadian Citizenship
Documents to support identity
$87.00

6. Passport Photos Must be taken by a commercial photographer
Name and address of photo studio and the date the photo was taken (must be no more than 12 months old)
Must be taken with a “neutral facial expression”- eyes open, mouth closed, no smiling 
Must be 50mmx70mm
Glasses may be worn
Hats or head coverings may not be worn unless for religious or medical reasons

7. What counts as Proof of Canadian Citizenship?
Canadian Birth Certificate
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship

8. Documents to Support Identity
At least ONE document must be provided with your passport application and must include your name and signature:
Provincial/territorial driver’s licence
Provincial health card
Certificate of Indian Status
Canadian Passport
U.S. Permanent Resident Card
Federal/Provincial/Municipal employee identification card
Old Age Security card
Other federal/provincial/municipal card
Copies are acceptable if signed by your guarantor

9. Facial features hidden
Examples
Acceptable:
Unacceptable:
Not right size
Glare on Glasses
Smiling
Contrast
Shadow behind ears
Head not “square”
Facial features hidden

10. What are references and guarantors?
Reference- someone who has known you personally for at least two years and is not a family member
Guarantor- someone who:
Has known you for 2 years
Holds a valid Canadian passport
Is over the age of 18
Lives in Canada or the U.S.
Has information available to provide to Passport Canada if requested
May be a family member
Cannot also be your reference
What if I don’t have a Guarantor? You may fill out a “declaration in lieu of guarantor” form.

11. Tips on Applying for your Passport

12. Security Features
Digitally printed photo of the passport bearer embedded into the identification page (1)
Holographic images (2)
Special ink that changes colours under different lighting (3)
Second hidden “ghost photo” of the passport bearer that can only be viewed under ultraviolet light (4)
Digitally printed information that is embedded in the page and cannot be erased (5)
Machine readable zone with personal information (6)

13. Security Features- Explained

14. The Future of Passports
Spring Electronic Passports (E- Passports) will be introduced
Electronic chip embedded in the book to provide greater protection against fraud and tampering
Electronic chip is “locked” so that it can’t be tampered with and if an attempt is made, it will indicate that it has been broken
Chip will store the personal information found on page 2 of the passport (except the signature), the photo

15. The E-Passport