Travel documents for a grant of citizenship for an adopted person
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
These instructions provide guidance for decision-makers who assess applications for citizenship for an adopted person under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act.
Facilitation visas and special authorizations
Facilitation visas were created to allow Canadian dual-nationals travelling on a foreign national passport issued by a visa exempt country to re-enter Canada.
Facilitation visas have been replaced by special authorizations.
5.1 applicants do not meet the requirements to be issued a special authorization.
Facilitation visas or special authorizations should no longer be offered to 5.1 applicants.
If the applicant chooses to receive a paper citizenship certificate and there is an urgency for them to travel to Canada following their grant of citizenship, the applicant must be advised that a limited validity passport (LVP) may be issued to them.
Important information about e-certificates
Applicants may also choose to receive an electronic citizenship certificate (e-certificate). Applicants who have an e-certificate can apply for a full-validity passport and do not need to follow the instructions on this page. Instead, applicants with an e-certificate can refer to the Apply for a new passport abroad page for passport application forms, instructions and fees.
If an applicant selected paper format on their application form but wants to receive an e-certificate instead, they can advise the office responsible for processing the citizenship application. If a paper certificate has not already been issued, the office will issue an e-certificate to the applicant.
Limited validity passport (LVP)
An LVP is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance and the application fee is the same as that of a full validity passport.
In some situations, a temporary passport or an emergency travel document (ETD) may be issued instead of an LVP:
- Where travel is required prior to the receipt of the regular (blue) passport at the Canadian government office abroad, a temporary passport may be issued as per the temporary passport policy.
- For immediate return to Canada, an ETD may be issued.
If an adopted person or their legal guardian confirms that they would like to proceed with an LVP, the citizenship decision maker must communicate via e-mail to the consular section at their mission with the following information:
- Given name(s) and surname(s)
- Unique client identifier (UCI)
- Date that the application was approved in the Global Case Management System
Note that the application will only be accepted at 1 of the following offices:
- Canadian government office abroad responsible for processing the 5.1 grant application
- Canadian government office abroad responsible for processing passport applications from residents of the country where the adoptee resides, where it is different
The timeframe in which the application will be processed without a certificate of citizenship is limited to 1 year from the grant issue date.
Application requirements
- Proof of imminent travel such as airline ticket, travel itinerary, etc.
- Proof that the adopted person has been granted citizenship (for example, part 2 approval letter)
- Notice for LVP form – to be provided by the consular office at time of submission
- For applicants outside of Canada and the United States: Duly completed abroad passport application form:
- For applicants in the United States:
- 2 identical and unaltered passport photos of the adopted person – the back of 1 photo must have the following:
- The name of the photographer or studio, the address and the date the photos were taken (can be handwritten or a stamp)
- Taken no more than 6 months before the application is submitted
- The guarantor has signed the back of the photo
Adopted children only
- Proof of parentage, such as a court-issued adoption order that has the name of the adoptive parents
- All documents that relate to custody, decision-making responsibilities, access, parenting time or mobility of the child
Fees
Fees for passport application abroad are to be paid online: Online Payment
- Child passport (under 16 years old) – $100
- 5-year adult passport (16 years and older) – $190
- 10-year adult passport (16 years and older – $260
Please note that additional fees will apply for a temporary passport and an ETD: Pay your temporary passport, emergency travel document or other administrative fees – Canadians outside Canada
- Temporary passport – $110
- Child ETD (under 16 years old) – $30
- Adult ETD (over 16 years old) – $75