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CanadaPassport

Are you travelling this year? If so, we recommend that you take a moment and ensure your passport will be valid during your travels.

Now that you’ve looked at your passport, you may have a few questions like…

Is it time for a renewal?
When can I renew or do I have to re-apply?
What about passports for children?
I heard something about a ’10 year’ passport, when can I apply for this?

We wanted to provide you with these answers and also point you in the right direction to get you started. Here we go:

Passport tips:

  • Make sure you are carrying a valid passport and that its expiry date is well beyond your return date.
  • Remember to sign the passport on page 3 (except for children under 11), and fill in your current address and the name of a person to contact in case of emergency on page 4.
  • Canadians in Canada: Try to apply for a passport between June and November, when application volumes are lower.
  • Canadians abroad: To avoid problems re-entering Canada, travel with a valid Canadian passport.
  • Non-Canadians in Canada may also apply for a travel document.
  • Read the last page of the passport.
  • In some countries, you may have to give your passport to a foreign official or a hotel/hostel employee. If you don’t get it back in a reasonable time, inform the nearest Government of Canada office abroad.

Passport validity:

Many countries require that your passport be valid for several months after your planned departure date from that country. Because each country sets its own rules, you should consult the travel reports of the countries you will be visiting to confirm their requirements.

Renewal Eligibility:

You are eligible for simplified renewal if:

  • you were at least 16 years of age at the time of your previous application;
  • your name on the application form is exactly as it appears on page 2 of the submitted passport;
  • you submit a previous Canadian passport that:
    • was/is valid for five (5) years;
    • is not damaged;
    • was never reported lost or stolen; and
    • is still valid or expired for no more than one year.

Applying for a Child’s passport:

All children who travel, including newborns and infants, need their own passport or travel document.

Persons who may apply on behalf of the child –

  • One of the child’s parents,
  • The custodial parent in the case of separation or divorce, or
  • The legal guardian (proof of legal guardianship must be provided).

Important notice: New proof of parentage requirements for all child passport applications.

ePassport (10 year passport):

Passport Canada will be implementing new fees and the new ePassport. The new fees come into effect with the introduction of the 10-year ePassport on July 1, 2013. For more information on the new ePassport, please click here.

*All information has been provided by Passport Canada