Passport Renewal Canada

Canada passport renewal is now easier than ever helping you update your travel document quickly without any confusion. Renew passport Canada to enjoy stress-free travel just follow a few simple steps submit your documents and get your new passport fast.

You can also renew passport Canada online to save time and skip the long waiting lines making the process more convenient and secure. The passport renewal application Canada is simple, quick and designed to help you travel smoothly without any unnecessary delays.

Start Renewal

Renewal Guide

Required Documents

Required Fees

Photo Guidelines

Passport Renewal Canada is Now Available Online

You can renew your passport online if you need it within 20 business days or later. Right now, we’re accepting only a limited number of online applications each day so try to apply as soon as possible.

Get the Passport Renewal Application Canada Form and Submit it Easily

Passport services are still available during the Canada Post strike. We’re processing all applications as usual, but passport delivery by mail might take a little longer than normal.

How you apply and what fees you pay depend on how soon you need your passport. With online passport renewal Canada, you can easily submit your application without long waiting times.

How you apply and what fees you pay depend on how quickly you need your passport.
With online passport renewal Canada, you can easily submit your application from home.
Your passport will be mailed to you unless you pay an extra fee for pickup service.
When filling the passport renewal Canada form, double-check all your details before submitting.
Some offices handle passport renewal Canada adult applications faster and may offer express or urgent services for quick delivery.

What Is Passport Renewal in Canada?

Passport renewal Canada simply means replacing your old passport with a new one when it’s close to expiring or already expired. It’s different from applying for a brand-new passport because you already have one that’s still valid (or expired less than a year ago).

When you renew, you don’t need to submit all your documents again from the start. Instead, you use your old passport as proof of identity and citizenship. This makes the process faster and easier than a first-time application.

You can renew your passport online or apply in person at a Service Canada or passport office. The option you choose depends on how quickly you need your passport.

If you don’t need it urgently, online renewal is the easiest way.
If you need it faster, in-person renewal offers express and urgent options.

Renewing your passport on time ensures you can travel anywhere without last-minute stress or delays especially if you plan to visit another country soon

Who Can Renew and Who Can’t Renew Passport

Let’s make sure you qualify before you begin. Some people can renew their passport easily, while others may need to apply for a brand-new one. Here’s how to know where you fit.

You Can Renew Your Passport If:

Your last passport was valid for 5 or 10 years
It was issued within the last 15 years
You were 16 or older when it was issued
It’s not damaged, lost, or stolen
You live in Canada and still have your old passport

You Can’t Renew If:

Your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
It was issued more than 15 years ago
You need to change your name, date of birth, or gender

Passport Renewal Canada Three Ways to Renew it

Renewing your passport in Canada is simple and flexible. You can do it online, in person, or by mail, depending on what’s most convenient for you. Below is an easy guide to help you understand each method clearly.

Canada Renew Passport Online

If you don’t need your passport urgently, the online passport renewal Canada option is the easiest way. You can complete the process from home and skip long waiting lines.

Here’s how it works:

Go to the official Government of Canada passport website.
Fill out the passport renewal Canada form carefully.
Upload your recent photo and all required documents.
Pay your renewal fee online by credit or debit card.
Your new passport will be mailed directly to you once it’s processed.

If you need your passport in less than 20 business days, you may need to apply in person for faster service.

Renew Passport Canada In Person

If you’re short on time, visit a nearby passport office or Service Canada location. They offer several service levels:

Service Options:

Regular: 10–20 business days
Express: 2–9 business days (extra fee)
Urgent: Same or next-day pickup (extra fee)

Requirements:

Old passport
2 new passport photos
Completed application form
Payment method (credit/debit card or certified cheque)

Staff will guide you through the process for faster delivery.

Check See Full Detail Canada passport renewal in person

How to Passport Renewal Canada by Mail

If you live far from a passport office, you can also renew your passport by mail. It’s simple, but make sure to send your documents securely.

Steps:

Download and fill out the passport renewal Canada adult or child form from the official website.
Include your old passport, photos, and payment.
Mail your application to the address listed on the form.
Once processed, your new passport will be mailed back to you safely.

Mail renewal usually takes longer, so apply early if you have upcoming travel plans.

Canada Passport Renewal Processing Time

Passport renewal times in Canada vary based on how soon you need your passport and the method you use to apply. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you plan ahead.

Regular Service: 10–20 business days (plus mailing)
Express Service: 2–9 business days (extra fee)
Urgent Service: Same day or next day (extra fee)
By Mail: Around 20–25 business days total

This helps people plan better and avoids confusion.

How to Canada Renew Passport Online Step by Step

The online passport renewal Canada option is the easiest way to renew your passport. You can apply from home, fill out the form, upload your photo, and pay online. Once your application is complete, your new passport will be mailed to you safely.

You’re applying to renew your own passport (not someone else’s).
Your home and mailing address is in Canada.
Your current passport:
Is a regular blue passport.
Was valid for 5 or 10 years.
Shows your place of birth.
Was issued when you were 16 years or older.
Was issued within the last 15 years.
Is expired or will expire within 6 months.
You’ll use the same name, date of birth, place of birth, and gender on your new passport.
Your current passport has no special notes or observations.
You did not report your current passport lost, seized, or surrendered.
You don’t need your new passport urgently (you can wait at least 20 business days plus mailing time)

How to Easily Renew Your Canadian Passport Online

You can use the new IRCC Portal only if you’re eligible to renew your passport online. Just answer a few quick questions to see if you qualify to use the portal.

When do you need the passport?

Select “20 business days or more” if you don’t need it urgently you can renew your passport online.
Choose “19 business days or less” if you need it quickly you may have to visit a passport office for express or urgent service.

It’s an important step to make sure your passport renewal in Canada is processed on time and fits your travel plans.

How do you want to apply?

You can apply in person, by mail, or online.
Choosing online is the easiest and fastest way to start your passport application without visiting an office.

Limited Spots Available for Online Applications

Online passport renewal is now available for some people. You can create an account and start your application, but there’s a daily limit. The limit resets at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time. This helps us make sure the system runs smoothly. If you can’t create an account right now, try again when the limit resets. If you prefer not to wait, or can’t use the online system, you can apply in person or by mail instead.
Thank you for your patience!

Sign in to your account

When you use the account for the first time, you’ll need to register before signing in.

Step 1 | Register and get your verification code
Answer a few quick questions to register and receive a one-time verification code.
Step 2 | Sign in if you’re already registered
Once registered, you can sign in using your GCKey username and password or your online banking login

Step:1 Do You have Plans Outside Canada In Next 20 Days ?

Below the question, there are two options:

Yes
No

It also mentions that if someone needs a passport in less than 20 business days, they should apply in person.

Step:2 Your current passport a regular (blue) passport?

There are two options:

Yes
No

It also says that people who have a diplomatic (red) or special (green) passport can’t renew their passport online.

Step:3 Is your mailing address in Canada?

There are two answer choices:

Yes
No

It also mentions that you must have a mailing address in Canada to renew your passport online.

Step:4 Were you 16 or older for your current passport?

There are two choices to answer:

Yes
No

This type of question is typically used to figure out whether an applicant is eligible to use a simplified renewal process.

Step:5 Was it issued in the last 15 years?

The two options for answering are:

Yes
No

This question helps determine if your passport is still new enough to qualify for an online renewal process.

Step:6 Is your passport valid for 5 or 10 years?

Your choices are:

Yes
No

This means they want to make sure your passport was issued for one of the standard validity periods to qualify for the renewal process.

Step:6 Is your passport expiring soon or already expired?

You have two options to choose from:

Yes
No

This question helps check if you can renew your passport easily or if you need a different process because your passport is expired or about to expire.

Step:7 Is your current passport in your possession?

You have two choices:

Yes
No

This is an important legal question that determines if you have the physical document to submit or if you are applying for a replacement (due to loss or theft).

Step:8 Has it ever been declared lost or stolen?

You have two options to choose from:

Yes
No

You may need to pay an additional fee to replace a lost or stolen passport.
This is a very important point! It lets you know beforehand that selecting “Yes” might mean an extra cost, as replacing a document due to loss or theft usually involves a different (and sometimes more expensive) application process than a regular renewal.

Step:9 Your current passport damaged, seized, revoked or surrendered

You are given two clear options:

Yes
No

This question checks if your passport has ever been damaged, taken away, or cancelled. It means whether your passport was torn, wet, or in bad condition (damaged), taken by the government or any authority (seized), officially cancelled (revoked), or given back to officials by choice (surrendered).

Step:10 Has it ever been declared lost or stolen?

You have two options to choose from:

Yes
No

Step:11 Your Current Passport Show Your Place of Birth

You are given two clear options:

Yes
No

This step is part of the Canada passport renewal process. It checks whether your current passport shows your place of birth. This helps confirm your personal details are complete and correct before renewing your passport.

Step:12 Need to change your personal info?

You have two options to choose from:

Yes
No

need to change your name, place of birth, date of birth, or gender

Step:13 You Have an Observation in Your Current Passport

You are given two clear options:

Yes
No

This step is also part of the Canada passport renewal process. It asks if your current passport has any observations special notes written on a separate page that explain unique situations (for example, name differences or special remarks).

Congratulations!

You can now renew your passport online using the new IRCC Portal. Before you sign up or log in, please take a moment to read the Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions. You’ll be taken to those pages next.

Canada Renew Passport Required Documents

Before applying for your passport renewal, make sure your photo and references meet the right requirements. Your photo must include the photographer’s details on the back, and your references should be people who know you well and can be easily contacted. Following these steps helps avoid delays and makes your passport process smooth and easy.

Passport Photo Requirements

On the back of one of your photos, the photographer must write or stamp:

their studio or company name
their full address
the date the photo was taken

You don’t need a guarantor’s signature on the photo. For passport renewals, a guarantor is not required.

Who Can Be A Reference For You

It is important that your references:

You must be at least 18 years old
Over the past two years, I have known you
Your application may use their name and contact information

Make sure your references are available if we need to contact them.

As an example, they will not be traveling abroad.
You may have to wait longer to reach them if they are in a different time zone.

We may ask for additional references at any time.

Who Can’t Be a Reference For You

Your references cannot be:

anyone in your immediate family
your husband, wife, or partner
your child or grandchild
any other relatives in your extended family

Your references must not be family members, including your spouse, children, grandchildren, or other relatives

Now Pay Your Canada Renew Passport Fee

You can pay your fees online in your account after you finish your application. The amount you pay depends on the type of service you choose.

Passport type	CAN$
5-year adult passport (age 16 or over)	120
10-year adult passport (age 16 or over)	160
Additional administrative fee for replacing a valid lost or stolen passport	45

If your passport was lost or stolen and you’re applying for a new one, you’ll need to pay a $45 fee. This fee is only for replacing the lost or stolen passport and doesn’t include the cost of the new passport itself.

You can pay with a credit or prepaid card (Visa®, MasterCard®, or American Express®).

Please note, this service fee is non-refundable if you:

Cancel your application
Are refused a passport
Get a passport that’s valid for a shorter time than you requested

For example, if you asked for a 5- or 10-year passport but have lost previous passports, you might receive one valid for a shorter period.

Only consular fees can be refunded if your passport isn’t issued.

Canada Renew Passport Photo Guidelines

You’ll need a digital passport photo if you’re renewing your passport online. If you’re applying in person or by mail, a digital photo isn’t needed.

Digital Passport Photo Rules

Your digital passport photo should be:

Taken in person by a professional photographer
Taken within the last 6 months before you apply
Not a scanned copy of a printed photo

It’s a good idea to ask the photographer for both a digital copy and a printed copy of your photo when you get it taken.

Your Passport Photo Needs to Have:

Your face and shoulders should be centered and facing the camera.
Keep a neutral expression — eyes open, mouth closed, no smiling.
Use even, natural lighting with no shadows, glare, or flash reflections.
The photo should be clear, sharp, and in focus.
Show your natural skin tone.
Use a plain white or light-colored background that clearly contrasts with your face.

These Types of Photos are Accepted

You’re wearing glasses, as long as your eyes are clearly visible and there’s no glare on the lenses.
Your hair is either up or down both are fine.
You’re wearing a hat or head covering for religious or medical reasons, as long as your full face is visible and there are no shadows on your face.

There Photos Not Accepted

These photos will not be accepted if they include:

Sunglasses or tinted glasses, even if your eyes can be seen
Red-eye or photos that have been edited to remove red-eye
Hats or head coverings that aren’t worn daily for religious or medical reasons

Digital Passport Photo Details

The rules for a digital photo are a bit different from a printed one. Make sure to share these details with your photographer when you go to get your photo taken.

Be in .jpeg or .jpg format
Come directly from the original camera file (not scanned)
Be shared with you by the photographer — for example, through email, USB drive, or online file sharing
Not be a scanned copy of a printed photo
Be in colour or black and white
Not be edited or changed in any way
The image must
Have a 3:2 aspect ratio with the camera held in portrait mode (vertical).
Be at least 1800 pixels high and 1200 pixels wide.
Be no larger than 4500 pixels high and 3000 pixels wide.
Have a file size between 200 KB and 5 MB.
Show your face from chin to top of head (crown) covering 45–50% of the photo’s height.

Examples of Approved and Unapproved Photos

These photos are just examples and not the real size of a passport photo. The unacceptable photos help you understand what kinds of pictures you should avoid before sending your application.

By checking these examples, you can make sure your photo meets all the rules and avoid delays in your passport renewal.

FAQ’s

The cost to renew a Canadian passport depends on how long you want it to be valid. A 5-year adult passport costs $120 CAD, while a 10-year adult passport costs $160 CAD. If your passport was lost or stolen, there’s an extra $45 replacement fee.

It usually takes 10 to 20 business days to renew your passport in Canada by mail or regular service. If you need it sooner, you can pay extra for express (2–9 days) or urgent (same or next day) service. Processing times can be longer during busy travel seasons, so apply early.

You’ll need your most recent passport, two recent passport photos, completed renewal form, and payment for the fee. Make sure your old passport is still in good condition and wasn’t issued more than 15 years ago. You’ll also need references who have known you for at least 2 years.

If you’re renewing by mail, send your completed application, old passport, photos, and payment to the address listed on the Government of Canada passport form. The address may differ depending on where you live, so always double-check the form before mailing. Use tracked delivery to keep your documents safe.

Yes, you need two references for your passport renewal. They must be 18 or older, have known you for at least two years, and be willing to confirm your identity. They cannot be your family members like spouse, parents, or siblings.

Yes, you must provide new passport photos taken within the last 6 months. Photos must follow the official Canadian passport photo rules, such as clear lighting, plain background, and neutral expression. You can get your photo taken at any professional photo studio or service that offers passport photos.

You can apply online, by mail, or in person. To apply online, fill out the form on the official Government of Canada website, upload your photo, and pay the fee. If you’re in a hurry, visit a passport office or Service Canada Centre for faster service.

Bring your current or expired passport, two new passport photos, completed renewal form, and payment receipt or fee. If applying in person, also bring valid ID like your driver’s license. Make sure all documents are original and not photocopies.

Send your renewal application to the address provided on the official form, which depends on your province or territory. For example, most mail-in applications go to Gatineau, Quebec. Always check the latest form for the correct mailing address before sending it.

You can renew your passport anytime within one year before it expires. Renewing early ensures you avoid delays or travel problems if you plan a trip soon. It’s best not to wait until the last minute start the renewal process at least 6 months before expiry.

Final Thoughts on Passport Renewal in Canada

Renewing your Canadian passport is simple, safe, and efficient. Whether online, by mail, or in person, the process helps you update your travel document quickly without confusion. Make sure your photo and documents meet the requirements, and your renewal will be smooth and stress-free.

Now that you know how to renew passport Canada, you can start your application confidently and plan your next adventure worry-free.