What you need to apply for a passport

You need all of the following:

proof of Canadian citizenship(opens in a new tab)
- This can be a birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
  - If you have a paper certificate, it must be the original document, not a photocopy.
  - If you have a citizenship e-certificate, you must attach a printed copy(opens in a new tab) .
a document to support your identity(opens in a new tab)
- This can be a photocopy or the original.
  - If you want to use a photocopy of your ID, make sure you show both sides and have it signed and dated by your guarantor or signing official.
2 identical passport photos
a guarantor
2 references

If you have a Canadian passport or other travel document and it’s still valid, you also need to send us it.

Passport photo requirements

On the back of 1 of your photos, the photographer must write or stamp

Your guarantor also needs to sign 1 of your photos.

You need a guarantor to confirm your identity and information by signing

the guarantor section of your application form
1 of your passport photos and
copies of both sides of your supporting identity document, with each copy dated
- If you’re applying by mail, the copies must also be dated.

The guarantor can be anyone you know who

is 18 or older
has known you personally for at least 2 years
is a Canadian citizen
has a Canadian passport that was issued for 5 or 10 years and is either valid or has been expired for less than 1 year
was 16 or older when they applied for that passport
will be available to confirm your identity, your information, and their participation in your application if we need to contact them
can communicate in English or French

Their passport must have been issued for 5 or 10 years.

It also can’t be

Your references must

To avoid delays, make sure your references are available if or when we need to contact them.

For example, they’re not travelling outside the country.
If they’re in a different time zone, it may take longer to contact them, which could delay your application.

We may ask for additional references at any time.

Your references cannot be

Read a full list of people who can’t be a reference

These people can’t be a reference on your renewal application:

spouse or common-law partner
- Whether you’re the opposite or same sex, you’re considered common-law partners if you’ve lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 1 year, but you aren’t legally married.
  - A boyfriend, girlfriend or romantic partner can be a reference if you’re not in a common-law relationship.
  - If your marriage or common-law relationship has ended, your former spouse or partner can serve as a reference.
parent, step-parent, foster parent, or a parent’s spouse or common-law partner
mother-in-law or father-in-law
child (biological, adopted, foster or stepchild) or your child’s spouse or common-law partner
son-in-law or daughter-in-law
sibling (brother, half-brother or stepbrother, or sister, half-sister or stepsister) or your sibling’s spouse or common-law partner
brother-in-law or sister-in-law
grandparent (biological, adopted, step or foster grandparent) or your grandparent’s spouse or common-law partner
grandmother-in-law or grandfather-in-law
grandchild (biological, adopted, step or foster grandchild) or your grandchild’s spouse or common-law partner
grandson-in-law or granddaughter-in-law
anyone else who’s related to you or your spouse or common-law partner by blood, marriage, common-law partnership, adoption or guardianship and lives at the same address as you
- For example, if your aunt, uncle or cousin lives with you, they cannot be a reference.

2025-10-08