How to apply for a child passport in Canada
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A Canadian passport is a travel document that Canadian citizens can apply for.
A child passport is valid for a maximum of 5 years. It’s valid until it reaches its expiry date, even after the child turns 16.
You can’t renew a child passport. When the child turns 16, they can apply for a new adult passport.
Until then, you need to apply for a new child passport when it expires.
Your child may not need a passport to travel to the US by land or sea.
Children 15 and under don’t need a passport to enter the United States or return to Canada by land or sea.
Documents you can use instead of a passport:
- original or copy of their birth certificate
- It should be issued by the vital statistics department from the province or territory where they were born.
- original Canadian citizenship certificate
- Canadian citizenship card
When they turn 16, they need a passport if they’re going to enter the US.
Learn more about traveling to the US from Canada.
Who can apply for a child passport
To apply for a child passport, you must be one of the following:
- one of the child’s parents (if you’re not separated or divorced)
- the parent who has custody of the child (if you are separated or divorced) with the correct documentation
- Include all documents (including any divorce judgment) about the child’s custody, mobility or access.
- the child’s legal guardian, with the correct documentation
- Include all legal documents proving your legal guardianship of the child.
All parents or legal guardians should sign the application form.
- If you don’t know where the other parent or legal guardian is, contact us.
- We may contact the other parent or legal guardian.
If you’re worried that someone might apply for a passport for your child without your consent
Find out how to add your child’s name to a special list for their safety.
We’re issuing new passport booklets as of June 18, 2023
Until we finish installing the printers for the new passports in all offices, you may still get the current passport when you apply. By spring 2024, we’ll just be issuing the new passports.
If you have a valid passport already, it’s still secure and reliable. You don’t need to apply for a new one.
Get the forms and instructions to apply
We’ll give you the right form and tell you how to apply based on when you need a passport.
Urgent
(Service standard: end of next business day)
- Go to a passport office with urgent pick-up service
- Walk-in only, no appointments
- You must provide proof that you need the passport
- Extra fees apply
Apply to get your child passport by the end of the next business day
Express
(Service standard: 2 to 9 business days)
- Go to a passport office with express pick-up service
- By appointment or walk-in
- You may need to provide proof that you need the passport
- Extra fees apply
Standard
(Service standard: 10 to 20 business days, plus mail time)
- Go to a
- Service Canada Centre (20 business days)
- passport office (10 business days)
- By appointment or walk-in
- You can also apply by mail (20 business days)
* Service standards don’t include mail time. Mail time is usually 5 business days but can vary across the country.
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