How To Apply For A Canadian Passport In Canada

As a new Canadian citizen, you can do these two things:

• Register for Cultural Access Pass to visit different places in Canada for free within a year of becoming a citizen
• Apply for a Canadian passport

In this post, you’ll learn how to apply for a Canadian passport in Canada. If you are in Calgary, there’s a tip on where to get the passport.

But before we start, here’s a few benefits of why you should get a Canadian passport.

According to the Passport Index, Canadian passport has a passport power rank of 5 (as of 2018) and a high visa scores. Both scores allow a Canadian passport holder to travel completely visa-free or within 30 or 90 days.

Wanderlust can definitely take advantage of the passport especially if you have dual citizenship (eg: Filipino-Canadian). You can travel in Asia using another passport.

5 Steps on How to Apply for a Canadian Passport in Canada

Step 1: Download and complete the application form.

• Adult General Passport Application Form (PPTC 153)
• Child Application Form (PPTC 155)

Adult applicants should submit pages 1-3. Instructions are found in pages 4 to 7 of the application form. Use black or dark blue ink when filling up the form.

One of the following can apply for a Canadian passport for a child:

• One of the child’s parents
• The child’s custodial parent in cases of separation or divorce
• The child’s legal guardian

Note: A guarantor and two references are required in for an adult applicant. As for child applicant, the guarantor must have known the person applying on behalf of the child and the applicant.

The guarantor must sign the application form and one of the passport photos.

Step 2: Gather all the requirements.

Adult Application Requirement:

• Three (3) pages of the application form certified by the guarantor.
• Two passport photos (one is certified by the guarantor).
• Proof of Canadian citizenship (eg: original Certificate of Citizenship).
• Document to support identity (original or copies). A driver’s license is one of the best ways to support your identity.
• Any valid Canadian travel document (passport, certificate of identity or refugee travel document) issued to you.
• Supporting documentation if requesting a change in sex or name, omitting place of birth, or replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport.
• Fee varies with the type of passports and method of claiming.

Child Application Requirement:

• Two (2) pages of the application form certified by the guarantor.
• Two passport photos (one is certified by the guarantor).
• Proof of Canadian citizenship (eg: original long-form birth certificate or citizenship certificate).
• 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.
• Any valid Canadian travel document (passport, certificate of identity or refugee travel document) issued in the child’s name.
• Supporting documentation if requesting a change in sex.
• Fee varies with the type of passports and method of claiming.

Step 3: Submit your application by mail, courier, or in person.

To protect the documents, use a certified courier or traceable mail service. You can opt for a faster delivery but it isn’t necessary.

To apply in person, search for a passport office or a Service Canada receiving agent in your area.

Where to Apply for a Canadian Passport in Calgary

Harry Hays is more accessible because it is located in downtown Calgary, near Chinatown and Bow River.

Harry Hays Building
220 4th Avenue South East, Suite 150
Monday to Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Passport Office
120 – 23 Sunpark Drive SE Calgary, Alberta
Monday to Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

As of this writing, the aforementioned offices provide passport services. To check for any update, use the link above which is also use if you want to get a Canadian passport anywhere else in Canada.

Step 4: Pay the fee for Canadian passport.

Paying fees for application submitted in mail:

You can pay in two ways and the exact fee must be specified.

• Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit card (prepaid cards are accepted)
• Certified cheque or money order (postal or bank) in Canadian funds, made payable to the “Receiver General for Canada”.

Paying fees for application submitted in mail:

You can pay in three ways and the exact fee must be specified.

• Credit card or prepaid card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
• Debit card
• Certified cheque or money order (postal or bank) in Canadian funds, made payable to the “Receiver General for Canada”.

Note: Cash and personal cheques are NOT accepted in paying for passport application. For adult application, only the consular fee is refundable for non-issued passport.

Passport Fees (Canadian dollar)

5-year adult passport (age 16 or over) – $120.00
10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) – $160.00
Child passport (0-15 years of age) – $57.00

A consular services fee (C$25.00) is included in the adult passport whether done in Canada or USA. And you will have to pay a separate, non-refundable (C$45.00) administrative fee for the replacement of a valid lost or stolen Canadian travel document.

Additional fees are added to the base fee listed above when you want to replace a passport or opt for express or urgent processing.

Urgent pick up (by the end of the next business day) – $110.00
Express pick up within 2-9 business days – $50.00
Standard pick up on or after 10 business days – $20.00

Urgent and express service is available only if you apply in person at a passport office.

For comparison, I’m adding the fee if the application is made from the USA or the passport is to be delivered to the USA (including Bermuda, American Samoa, the Midway Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands)

5-year adult passport (age 16 or over) – C$190.00
10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) – C$260.00
Child passport (0-15 years of age) – C$100.00

Step 5: Receive the  Canadian passport by mail or pick it up where you submitted the passport. Check the receipt for the pick up date.

This is quite confusing but if you want your passport to be picked up in person, you need to pay the additional fee (refer to step 4 for the fee) when you apply. For the rest of us who don’t want to pay $20.00 (standard pick up), let’s cross are fingers to receive the passport in the mail whether it’s passed the delivery date or not.

A representative may pick up the new passport by providing written consent from the applicant and valid identification. Have you tried picking up a passport for somebody? How was the process?

Who to Contact for Passport-Related Concern

After submitting the Canadian passport application, wouldn’t you want to get the new passport without any trouble. But if there is any issue, contact the authority as soon as you can.

Website: canada.ca/passport
Toll-free: 1-800-567-6868
Outside the continental USA: 1-819-997-8338
TTY (for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing) Toll-free: 1-866-255-7655
Travel reports, warnings, and requirements: travel.gc.ca

Other Canadian Passport Tips from the Web

• Barry Choi from Money We Have: How to Get an Emergency Canadian Passport
• Eric Mohrman from Working Mother: How to Renew a Canadian Passport for a Child

Do you have any other tips? Or how about share where would you want to travel with your new passport.

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