Requirements for Canadian passport renewal in 2026

Renewing a Canadian passport is a straightforward procedure once you know exactly what to prepare. Whether your passport has already expired or is approaching its expiry date, acting early gives you the most flexibility — many countries require at least six months of validity remaining on your passport at the time of entry.

Passport Canada, delivered through Service Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), manages Canadian passport services. You can apply in person at a Service Canada passport office or passport-receiving agent, or by mail if you meet specific eligibility criteria. This guide covers what you need, where to go, and what to watch out for.

What this procedure is and what it’s for

Canadian passport renewal is the process of obtaining a new passport when your current one has expired or is about to expire. It replaces your existing travel document with a new one that carries a fresh validity period.

This procedure applies to:

Canadian citizens whose passport has expired or will expire within the next year
Canadian citizens whose passport has been lost, stolen or damaged (note: this follows a slightly different process — a new application rather than a simplified renewal)
Adults (16 and over) and children renewing previously issued passports

The official body responsible is Passport Canada, which operates under Service Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Applications are submitted at Service Canada passport offices, passport-receiving agents (such as certain Canada Post locations), or by mail for eligible applicants.

You can find official information and forms at ircc.canada.ca and canada.ca/passport.

Documents required

The documents below apply to a standard adult renewal (age 16 and over) using the simplified renewal process. Children’s renewals and first-time applications have additional requirements.

Core documents for simplified adult renewal

Completed application form PPTC 054 (Adult General Passport Application — Renewal), available at Service Canada offices or downloadable from canada.ca
Your most recent Canadian passport (original — must be submitted with the application; it will be cancelled and returned to you)
Two identical passport photos taken within the last six months, meeting IRCC photo specifications (2 × 2 inches, white background, no glasses)
Proof of Canadian citizenship — required only if your previous passport was issued before February 1, 2012, or if you cannot submit your previous passport; acceptable documents include an original or certified true copy of your Canadian birth certificate, or a Canadian citizenship certificate
Valid government-issued photo ID (original), such as a provincial or territorial driver’s licence or health card, to confirm your identity
Guarantor declaration — a guarantor must sign the back of one photo and complete Section 11 of the application form; the guarantor must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or over who has known you for at least two years and holds a valid Canadian passport

Additional notes

All documents must be originals unless a certified true copy is explicitly accepted (as noted above for citizenship proof)
No apostille or translation is required for Canadian-issued documents
If your name has changed since your last passport was issued, you must provide the original legal name-change document (e.g., marriage certificate, court order, or change-of-name certificate)
Children (under 16) require a separate form (PPTC 153) and additional parental consent documentation

Steps to complete the procedure

Check your eligibility for simplified renewal. You qualify if you are 16 or older, your previous passport was issued when you were 16 or older, your previous passport is not expired by more than one year (for in-person applications) or is still valid or expired within the last year (conditions vary), and your name has not changed — or you have legal documentation of the change.
Download or pick up the correct form. Get form PPTC 054 from a Service Canada passport office, a passport-receiving agent, or from canada.ca. Fill it out in black ink or digitally before printing.
Get your passport photos taken. Visit a pharmacy, photo studio, or other provider that offers passport photos meeting IRCC specifications. Do not sign the photos yourself — your guarantor signs the back of one.
Find a guarantor and have them complete their section. Your guarantor signs the back of one photo and completes Section 11 of the application form. They do not need to accompany you to the office.
Gather all required documents. Assemble your completed form, both photos, your current/expired passport, photo ID, and any supporting documents (name-change certificate, citizenship proof if required).
Submit your application.
- In person: Bring all documents to a Service Canada passport office or a passport-receiving agent. No appointment is required at most locations, but wait times vary; check canada.ca for office locations and current wait times.
- By mail: If you meet eligibility criteria (generally, applicants who live far from a passport office and are not travelling within 20 business days), you may mail your application to the address listed on the form. Do not send original identity documents other than your passport by mail.
Pay the fee at the time of submission (in person by debit, credit card, or certified cheque; by mail with a certified cheque or money order payable to the Receiver General of Canada).
Receive your new passport. In-person applicants can pick it up at the office or request delivery by mail. Mail-in applicants receive it by mail.

Estimated processing times vary — see the Fees and timelines section below.

Fees and timelines

Fees and processing times are set by IRCC and are subject to change. The figures below reflect rates in effect as of early 2026; always confirm current fees at canada.ca/passport before submitting.

Adult passport (36 pages, 5-year validity): $120 CAD
Adult passport (36 pages, 10-year validity): $160 CAD
Child passport (under 16, 5-year validity): $57 CAD
Urgent pickup (same day or next business day, in-person at a passport office): additional $110 CAD service fee on top of the passport fee
Express service (within 2–9 business days, in-person): additional $50 CAD service fee
Regular in-person processing: approximately 10 business days from the date of application
Mail-in processing: approximately 20 business days from receipt of the application at the processing centre — allow extra time for postal delivery in both directions
Validity of the new passport: 5 or 10 years for adults (your choice at time of application); 5 years for children under 16
Passport photo fee: not included above — typically $15–$25 CAD at a pharmacy or photo studio, paid separately to the photo provider

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Submitting non-compliant passport photos. Photos are rejected for reasons such as incorrect size, shadows on the face or background, glasses, or being more than six months old. Use a professional passport photo service and ask them to confirm the photos meet IRCC specifications before you leave.
Guarantor does not meet the requirements. A common error is choosing a guarantor who does not hold a valid Canadian passport, is under 18, or has not known the applicant for at least two years. Confirm your guarantor’s eligibility before they sign anything.
Submitting photocopies instead of originals. Unless a certified true copy is explicitly permitted (e.g., for citizenship documents in certain cases), you must submit original documents. Photocopies will cause your application to be returned.
Forgetting to include the previous passport. For a simplified renewal, your most recently issued Canadian passport must be submitted with the application. Applications received without it will be returned or delayed.
Applying too close to your travel date. Regular processing takes approximately 10 business days in person and 20 by mail. If you are travelling soon, use the urgent or express service and apply in person at a passport office — but be aware that urgent appointments can fill up quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I renew my passport if it expired more than one year ago? Yes, but you may not qualify for the simplified renewal process. If your passport expired more than one year ago, you will likely need to submit additional proof of Canadian citizenship (such as your birth certificate or citizenship certificate) along with your application. Check the current eligibility criteria on canada.ca before applying.

Do I need an appointment to apply in person? Most Service Canada passport offices operate on a walk-in basis, but wait times can be long, especially during peak travel seasons (spring and summer). Some offices offer scheduled appointments for urgent and express services. Check the Service Canada website for your nearest office’s current process.

Can I apply online? As of 2026, a pilot online renewal application has been available for eligible adult applicants through the IRCC secure online portal. Eligibility is limited (you must meet specific criteria, including having a valid or recently expired passport). Check ircc.canada.ca to see whether you qualify for online renewal, as this service is being expanded gradually.

What happens to my old passport after I submit it? Your previous passport is cancelled (holes are punched through it) and returned to you along with your new passport. If your old passport contains valid visas for other countries, you may be able to travel with both documents — check the entry requirements for your destination country.

Can I choose between a 5-year and a 10-year passport? Yes. Adult applicants (16 and over) can choose a 5-year or 10-year passport at the time of application. The 10-year option costs $40 more. Children under 16 are issued a 5-year passport only, regardless of preference.

Before you apply: a quick checklist

The most important documents to have ready are your completed form PPTC 054, your current or recently expired Canadian passport, two compliant passport photos, and a valid government-issued photo ID. If your name has changed, add the original legal name-change document.

Your first concrete step is to download form PPTC 054 from canada.ca, read the instructions carefully, and confirm you meet the eligibility criteria for simplified renewal before gathering your documents.

Important notice: Passport requirements, fees, and processing times can change. Always verify the current requirements directly with Passport Canada / Service Canada or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at canada.ca/passport before submitting your application.

← Back to 🇨🇦 Canada