How to apply for an official passport if you have a regular (blue) passport
We’re processing a lot of applications right now
We’re prioritizing people travelling within 10 business days to make sure they get their official passport on time.
If you need to travel urgently, contact us.
1. Get your documents ready
You need to include these documents with your application if you have a regular (blue) passport:
- two identical passport photos
- You don’t need a guarantor
- On the back of one photo, the photographer must indicate
- the photographer’s name, address, and postal code
- the date the photo was taken
- a detailed flight itinerary, if available
- one of the following:
- a copy of the signed Travel Authority and Advance form
- You need to ask your department for their version of this form
- the Posting Confirmation Form (PCF)
- a signed letter from your department, or the forms created for clients from National Defence
- a copy of the signed Travel Authority and Advance form
You may need extra documents if
2. Find out if you need a visa
Check to see if the country you’re travelling to requires a visa.
Find out if you need a visa(opens in a new tab)
If it does, add 3 to 45 business days (depending on the country) to the 15 business days it takes for us to process your passport application.
Each country sets its own visa requirements and processing times. We have no influence over the time it takes a foreign mission to issue a visa.
3. Complete your application
To save time, complete the form on your computer. Sign each page of the application. If it’s incomplete, we’ll return it to you without processing it. This may cause travel delays.
If you need a visa for the country you’re travelling to
Include a complete visa facilitation form (PPTC 639) (PDF, 1.6 MB).
If your most recent passport was lost, stolen or damaged
Include a complete declaration concerning a lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found Canadian travel document (PDF, 1.33 MB).
If you’re changing the gender identifier on your passport
Include a complete request to change your sex or gender identifier (PDF, 1 MB).
4. Pay the fees
Special or diplomatic passport: [Error loading fee. Check the fee list.]
Visa: [Error loading fee. Check the fee list.] per visa (if required)
How you pay depends on why you’re applying to travel on official government business or who in the Government of Canada you’re representing abroad.
A federal department or agency
Complete and include the passport information billing form [PPTC 467] (PDF, 2.2 MB).
A Crown corporation
Pay your fees online(opens in a new tab)
After you pay, you need to print a receipt and include it with your application.
National Defence
If you’re being posted somewhere
Complete and include the National Defence posting confirmation [PPTC 458] (PDF, 1.3 MB).
If you are not being posted somewhere
Complete and include the requisition form for official passports [PPTC 455] (PDF, 2.1 MB).
None of the above
If you’re paying with a credit card
Pay your fees online(opens in a new tab)
After you pay, you need to print a receipt and include it with your application.
If you’re not paying with a credit card or you’re not sure what method of payment to use
Fill out our contact form(opens in a new tab) . We’ll let you know what you need to do next.
5. Submit your application
You can apply by mail, or in-person by appointment or by walking in.
By mail, by courier or by messenger
Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.
Address for applicants from the Department of National Defence (DND)
DND – Official Travel section (Passports)
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2
Address for all other applicants
Passport Program – Official Travel
PO Box 8790, STN T CSC
Ottawa, ON K1G 5K8
In person
Official Travel
Place du Centre
200 Promenade du Portage, Commercial Level 2, Suite 270
Gatineau, QC J8X 4B7
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time