SAWUBONA CANADA - SERVICES - CITIZENSHIP
You are Canadian. The passport proves it to the world. Whether this is your first passport after citizenship or your fifth renewal, the right form, photos, documents, guarantor, and submission method matter.
RCIC #R707177 - CICC Licensed - Mississauga, Canada
| Key item | Current guide |
|---|---|
| 10-year adult passport fee inside Canada | $163.50 for applications received on or after March 31, 2026 |
| 5-year adult passport fee inside Canada | $122.50 |
| Child passport fee inside Canada | $58.50, valid for 5 years only |
| Regular service standard in Canada | 10 business days at passport offices that offer 10-day service; 20 business days by mail, online renewal, or regular Service Canada Centre |
| 30-business-day guarantee | From April 1, 2026, complete applications processed beyond 30 business days receive an automatic fee refund |
The Document That Opens the World
The Canadian passport is one of the strongest travel documents in the world, giving Canadian citizens broad visa-free and visa-on-arrival access internationally. If you are a new Canadian citizen, this is often the first practical document that lets you use your citizenship outside Canada.
Passport applications are usually handled directly by applicants. Our role is most useful when the situation is not straightforward: first passports after citizenship, no qualifying guarantor, name changes, returned applications, urgent travel, child passport consent, or travel planning around citizenship and passport validity.
Two important 2026 changes matter before you submit. Passport and travel document fees increased on March 31, 2026. From April 1, 2026, complete passport applications are covered by a 30-business-day accountability guarantee: if processing goes beyond 30 business days, the passport fee refund is issued automatically.
Step One: Which Application Do You Need?
The main question is whether you qualify for simplified renewal or must use the full adult application. That choice determines whether you need a guarantor, references, original proof of citizenship, and more complete identity verification.
| Requirement | Simplified renewal | Full adult application |
|---|---|---|
| Typical form | Adult simplified renewal | Adult general passport application |
| Who uses it | Adults who previously held an eligible adult Canadian passport that is still valid or expired recently | First-time adult applicants, new citizens, lost or stolen passports, child passport holders turning 16, or older expired passport cases |
| Guarantor | Usually not required | Required unless using a statutory declaration in lieu of guarantor |
| References | Usually not required | Two references required |
| Citizenship proof | Usually not required because citizenship was already verified in the previous passport file | Original Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate required |
| Common submission methods | Online renewal if eligible, in person, or by mail | In person or by mail depending on eligibility and instructions |
If your last passport was issued when you were 16 or older, was an adult passport, and remains within the renewal rules, simplified renewal may apply. If you are applying for your first Canadian passport after citizenship, the full adult application normally applies.
Simplified Renewal
Simplified renewal exists because you already proved citizenship for a previous adult passport. The government reuses that passport record and confirms that your identity and information remain current.
| What to prepare | Notes |
|---|---|
| Current renewal form | Download the latest form directly from Canada.ca before signing |
| Two passport photos | 50 x 70 mm, taken within the last 6 months by a commercial photographer |
| Most recent Canadian passport | The original passport is submitted and normally returned cancelled |
| Fee | $122.50 for 5-year adult passport or $163.50 for 10-year adult passport inside Canada |
| Name-change document, if applicable | Include original marriage certificate, court order, or change-of-name certificate where required |
Apply 6 to 9 months before expiry if you have non-urgent travel plans. Many countries require at least 6 months of passport validity at entry even when Canada can process a passport faster.
Full Adult Application
The full application applies to first-time adult applicants, new Canadian citizens, applicants whose last passport does not meet simplified renewal rules, and cases where the passport was lost or stolen.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Proof of citizenship | Original Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate |
| Identity document | Valid government-issued ID such as a driver's licence, health card with photo, or other accepted ID |
| Guarantor | A qualifying Canadian passport holder who can confirm your identity |
| References | Two people who can be contacted and are not your guarantor, spouse, partner, or close relatives |
| Photos | Two compliant passport photos; one may need guarantor certification |
For naturalized Canadians, the citizenship certificate issued by IRCC is the core proof of citizenship for the passport application. Keep the original safe and do not submit photocopies where the application requires the original.
The Guarantor
The guarantor verifies your identity to the Passport Program. They may sign the back of one photo and complete the guarantor section of the form.
| Guarantor rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passport status | Must hold an eligible Canadian passport or meet the current guarantor instructions |
| Knows you personally | Usually for at least 2 years |
| Not a relative | Spouse, common-law partner, parent, child, sibling, and people at the same address are generally not acceptable |
| Reachable by phone | The Passport Office may contact them to verify information |
If You Do Not Have a Qualifying Guarantor
New Canadian citizens often do not yet know a Canadian passport holder who has known them for 2 years. In that situation, the official alternative is a statutory declaration in lieu of guarantor, sworn before an authorized person such as a notary public or commissioner for oaths. Prepare this carefully because incomplete declarations can delay processing.
Two References
References help confirm your identity and contactability. They do not normally need to be Canadian citizens or passport holders, but they must be real people who can be reached by phone.
| Reference rule | Notes |
|---|---|
| Number required | Two |
| Cannot be | Your guarantor, spouse or partner, or close relatives |
| Contact details | Full name, address, and phone number |
| Availability | They should be aware they may receive a call |
Child Passports Under 16
Children under 16 cannot apply independently. A parent or legal guardian applies on the child's behalf.
| Item | Child passport rule |
|---|---|
| Validity | 5 years only |
| Fee inside Canada | $58.50 as of March 31, 2026 |
| Consent | Both parents generally must consent unless sole custody or a court order supports otherwise |
| Proof of citizenship | Original Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate |
| Photos | Same Canadian passport photo specifications |
Child passport consent is one of the most common causes of delay. If parents are separated and consent is disputed, the passport office cannot resolve the family law issue. A court order or legal advice may be needed.
Passport Photo Requirements
Passport photos are one of the most common reasons applications are returned.
| Photo rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 50 mm wide x 70 mm high |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Photographer | Commercial photographer, not a selfie or home print |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Not permitted in Canadian passport photos |
| Photographer note | Required on the back of one photo with photographer details and date taken |
Use a professional photo counter and tell them it is for a Canadian passport. Do not crop a phone photo or print passport photos at home.
Fees Updated March 31, 2026
Fees are based on the date the passport office receives or accepts the application. If an application is mailed, the received date matters, not the mailing date.
| Passport or service | Fee in Canada |
|---|---|
| Adult 10-year passport | $163.50 |
| Adult 5-year passport | $122.50 |
| Child passport, 5 years | $58.50 |
| Express pickup, 2 to 9 business days | $50 plus the passport fee |
| Urgent pickup | $125.75 plus the passport fee |
| Lost or stolen valid passport replacement administrative fee | $45 plus the passport fee |
Always confirm the fee on Canada.ca before submitting because passport fees now adjust annually under the Service Fees Act.
Processing Times in 2026
| Submission method | Service standard |
|---|---|
| Passport office or Service Canada Centre offering 10-day processing | 10 business days |
| Regular Service Canada Centre, mail, or online renewal | 20 business days |
| Express pickup | 2 to 9 business days |
| Urgent pickup | By the end of the next business day, where available |
| 30-business-day guarantee | Complete applications processed beyond 30 business days receive an automatic fee refund |
Mailing time is not included. Do not finalize international travel until the passport has been issued and received.
Where to Submit
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Passport office | Standard, express, and urgent applications; strongest option when timing matters |
| Service Canada Centre | Standard service where urgent pickup is not needed |
| Non-urgent applications where original documents can safely be mailed with tracking | |
| Online renewal | Eligible adult renewals with a digital passport photo |
| Outside Canada | Canadian embassies, high commissions, and consulates; fees and timelines differ |
First Canadian Passport for New Citizens
If you recently took the Oath of Citizenship, use this sequence:
- Receive and secure your citizenship certificate.
- Confirm whether you have a qualifying guarantor.
- If no guarantor is available, prepare the statutory declaration in lieu of guarantor.
- Get two Canadian passport photos from a commercial photographer.
- Complete the current adult passport application form.
- Prepare two references.
- Submit the application using the method that fits your timing and eligibility.
Apply before booking international travel. Citizenship status alone is not enough for international travel as a Canadian; the passport is the travel document.
How Our Team Helps
We assist new Canadians with first passport planning, guarantor and statutory declaration questions, returned application issues, child passport consent concerns, name-change documentation, and timing strategy around travel after citizenship.
Passport applications are not immigration applications, but they often sit at the end of a long immigration journey. We help clients avoid avoidable mistakes at the final step.
Questions We Hear Most Often
My last Canadian passport expired 8 months ago. Do I need a full application?
You may qualify for simplified renewal if your previous passport meets the current renewal rules. Confirm the expiry date, issue age, name, and lost/stolen history before choosing the form.
My last Canadian passport expired 3 years ago. Which process do I use?
You may need the full adult application if the passport is outside the simplified renewal rules. That means guarantor, references, identity documents, and proof of citizenship may be required.
I just became a Canadian citizen and cannot find a guarantor. What can I do?
Use the statutory declaration in lieu of guarantor if you cannot find a qualifying guarantor. It must be sworn before an authorized person and submitted correctly.
Which is better, the 5-year or 10-year passport?
For most adults, the 10-year passport is better value because it reduces renewal frequency. A 5-year passport may make sense if a legal name change or other major identity change is expected.
My child is 14. Should I apply now or wait until age 16?
A child under 16 receives a 5-year child passport. At 16, the adult passport process applies. Timing depends on travel needs and how close the child is to turning 16.
My child's other parent refuses consent. What can I do?
This is usually a family law issue. The Passport Program generally requires both parents' consent unless sole custody or a court order supports otherwise. Speak with a family law lawyer if consent is disputed.
Official Sources & Verification
- Apply for or renew a Canadian passport - IRCC
- Passport and travel document fee changes - IRCC
- Passport service standards - IRCC
- 30 days or free passport processing guarantee - IRCC
- Submit an adult passport application in Canada - IRCC
- Child passport applications - IRCC
- Passport office locations - Service Canada
Keep Reading
- Canadian Citizenship - how to apply for citizenship if you are not yet Canadian
- PR Card & Renewal - for permanent residents who need travel documentation before citizenship
- Visitor Visa - for family members coming to Canada
Your Passport Is the Last Piece. Let's Get It Right.
A short conversation can confirm which application process applies, whether you need a guarantor or statutory declaration, and what to prepare before you submit.
+1 647-558-9000 - info@sawubonacanada.com
Sawubona. We see you.
Sawubona Canada Immigration Inc. RCIC #R707177 | CICC Licensed | Mississauga, Ontario
Information current to June 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Passport fees, processing standards, and application requirements can change. Always verify directly with IRCC before submitting an application.
