Tell us on your form if you need the visa and want your original passport back. If you don’t, the visa could be damaged when the previous passport is cancelled.
Instructions and tips
To save time, complete the form on your computer.
Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
Sign each page of the application.
If the term “mother’s surname” doesn’t apply to you
cross it out on the form and write “parent’s surname at birth”
fill in the field with the surname (last name) at birth of 1 parent and
write your initials in the margin
Avoid this mistake
Don’t forget to tell us if you want a 5 or 10 year passport under section 4 of the form (Period of validity).
2. Get all the required documents and your passport photos
You need to include the following with your application:
the following 3 pieces of information:
the date your passport was issued
the date it expired
its passport number
Passport number, date of issue, and date of expiry
Check the date of issue. If the date it was issued is within the past 15 years and you meet the other eligibility requirements, you can apply to renew your passport.
your most recent passport, if it’s still valid
2 identical passport photos
On the back of one of the photos, the photographer must write
their name
their complete address and
the date the photos were taken
You do not need a guarantor’s signature on the photo. Passport renewals don’t need a guarantor.
Read the full photo requirements for more information.
All your documents must be in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation.
Passport photo instruction
3. Find 2 references
You need to include 2 references to include on your application.
Your references must
be 18 years of age or older
have known you for at least
2 years for passport applications
6 months for certificate of identity and refugee travel document applications
agree to you using their name and contact information for your application
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.
People who can’t be a reference for you
Your references cannot be
your guarantor
a family member, such as a
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 or girlfriend 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.
