Passport Renewal Canada

If your Canadian passport is about to expire or has already expired this guide covers everything you need to get a new one. You will find steps for online renewal, in-person visits, mailing your application, fees, required documents, and what to do in special situations.

Renewing a passport is actually simpler than getting one for the first time. You do not need to prove your citizenship again. You do not need a guarantor either. That alone saves a lot of time.

Start Renewal

Renewal Guide

Required Documents

Required Fees

Photo Guidelines

Now Passport Renewal is 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.

Can You Renew Your Passport? (Eligibility Check)

Not everyone qualifies for the simplified renewal. There are two types of applications a simplified renewal and a full general application. Most adults qualify for the simplified one.

You can use the simplified process if:

Your passport was issued when you were 16 years old or older
Your current passport is a regular blue passport (not a diplomatic one)
It was valid for 5 or 10 years
It was issued within the last 15 years
Your name, date of birth, place of birth, and gender identifier have not changed
Your passport expires within the next 6 months, or it is already expired
Your home address and mailing address are inside Canada (for online renewal only)
You do not have observations printed in your passport
Your passport has not been seized or reported lost

If even one of these does not apply to you, you will need to fill out the full general application form instead.

What about child passport renewal Canada?

A child passport cannot be renewed. Parents often ask about child passport renewal Canada, but the rule is clear children must apply for a brand new passport every time. There is no renewal option for child passports.

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

Documents You Need

Gathering the right papers before you apply saves you from delays. To complete a standard adult simplified renewal, you will need:

For Simplified Renewal

Completed passport renewal form PPTC 054 (adult simplified renewal)
Your current passport (even if expired, include it)
Two passport photos printed on photo paper (2×2 inches) or one digital photo if applying online
Payment for the fee

For The Full General Application

Completed general passport form (PPTC 153)
Your current or most recent passport
Proof of Canadian citizenship (birth certificate or citizenship certificate)
One government-issued photo ID
A guarantor’s signature and details
Two references (not the guarantor)
Two passport photos
Fee payment

The two references you list on your form do not need to sign anything. You just need their name, phone number, and how long they have known you (must be at least 2 years). Many people confuse references with a guarantor they are different.

Passport Photo Requirements

Photo issues are the number one reason applications get sent back. Make sure you get this right.

For Physical (printed) Photos:

Size: 50mm x 70mm (2 x 2.75 inches)
White or light grey background
Taken within the last 6 months
Face must be clearly visible, no glasses, no headwear (unless for religious reasons)
Printed on photo-quality paper — no home printing

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.

3 Ways to Apply: Online, In Person, or by Mail

This is the section most competitor guides skip they do not compare all three methods side by side. Here is a clear breakdown:

Method	Processing Time	Who Can Use It	Photo Type
Online	20 business days + mail	Limited eligibility (see above)	Digital only
In person	10 or 20 business days	Anyone	Printed 2 photos
By mail	20 business days + mail	Anyone	Printed 2 photos

Note: “20 business days” does not include the days your package spends in the mail. Always add extra time.

Option 1: Passport Renewal Online Canada

This is the newest option and works for people who are not traveling soon and meet all the eligibility rules.

Steps to renew passport online Canada:

Go to the IRCC Portal (ircc-services.canada.ca)
Sign in or create a GCKey account
Start your application (slots are limited they open at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time daily)
Fill in your details and upload your digital photo
Pay the fee online with a credit or debit card
Submit your current passport is automatically cancelled the moment you submit

Your new passport will arrive by mail in about 20 business days after processing begins. You cannot travel while waiting because your old passport is cancelled on submission.

Option 2: In-Person at a Passport Office

If you have travel coming up soon, going in person is a better idea. Some passport offices can process your application in as few as 2 to 9 business days, or even the same day if you have proof of travel within the next 2 business days.

This is the only method that can handle passport renewal canada same day situations.

Steps:

Download and print form PPTC 054 from canada.ca
Fill it out in black ink
Get two printed passport photos
Find your nearest passport office using the IRCC office locator tool
Bring your application, photos, old passport, and payment
Wait for processing or come back to pick it up

Service Canada vs. Passport Office: Service Canada locations can accept applications but usually take 10 to 20 business days. Dedicated passport offices offer faster options, especially for urgent travel.

Check See Full Detail Canada passport renewal in person

Option 3: Passport Renewal Canada Mail In

Mailing is the most hands-off method but also the slowest once you add postal times.

Steps:

Download form PPTC 054 from canada.ca
Fill it out, sign it
Include your two photos, old passport, and a cheque or money order for the fee
Do NOT send cash
Mail everything to your regional passport processing centre

You cannot pay by credit card when mailing. Only cheques or money orders are accepted.

Passport Renewal Canada Fees — 2026 Update

On March 31, 2026, the Government of Canada increased fees for passport and travel document services. Most competitors have not updated their fee information yet.

There are the current fee ranges (check canada.ca/passport-fees for the exact amount as fees are set by the government and are subject to change):

5-year adult passport — lower fee, good if you will be changing your name or information soon
10-year adult passport — higher fee upfront but better value long-term (less than half the cost per year compared to renewing every 5 years)

Canada passport renewal cost 2026 is higher than it was before March 31. Plan your budget accordingly.

Service	Old Fee (CAN$)Before March 31, 2026	New Fee (CAN$)On or After March 31, 2026
10-Year Adult Passport (Age 16 and Up) – Canadians Living in Canada	$160.00	$163.50
5-Year Adult Passport (Age 16 and Up) – Canadians Living in Canada	$120.00	$122.50
10-Year Adult Passport (Age 16 and Up) – Canadians Living Outside Canada	$260.00	$266.25
5-Year Adult Passport (Age 16 and Up) – Canadians Living Outside Canada	$190.00	$194.25
Child Passport (5-Year Validity Only) – Canadians Living in Canada	$57.00	$58.50
Child Passport (5-Year Validity Only) – Canadians Living Outside Canada	$100.00	$102.50
Adult Certificate of Identity (Age 16 and Up)	$260.00	$266.25
Adult Refugee Travel Document (Age 16 and Up)	$120.00	$122.50
Urgent Pickup	$110.00	$125.75
Weekend or Statutory Holiday Service	$335.00	$383.50
Temporary Passport	$110.00	$125.75
Interim Passport	$135.00	$150.75

For urgent processing at a passport office, extra fees apply on top of the passport fee. These fees vary by how fast you need the passport.

Payment accepted:

Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) — online and in-person
Debit card — in-person only
Cheque or money order — by mail only
No cash accepted at any time

Canada Passport Renewal Processing Time

Passport Renewal Canada Turnaround Time by Method

Online: 20 business days for processing + postal delivery time (usually 3–7 business days each way)
In person at Service Canada: 10 or 20 business days depending on the location
In person at a passport office: 2–9 business days for standard; same day or next day for urgent (with proof of travel)
By mail: 20 business days + postal time both ways

Passport renewal canada wait times 2026 can be higher in busy seasons like spring and summer. Apply early — ideally 3 to 6 months before your passport expires or before any planned travel.

How to Check Your Passport Renewal Canada Status

Use the IRCC online portal if you applied online
Call the Passport Program at 1-800-567-6868
Use your passport canada tracking number from your confirmation letter or email

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.

Special Situations — When Normal Rules Do Not Apply

1. Urgent or Emergency Passport Renewal Canada

Need your passport in less than 10 business days? You must apply in person at a dedicated passport office. You will need to show proof of travel (flight booking, hotel reservation, etc.).

Passport renewal canada urgent cases are handled at passport offices, not Service Canada locations. Not all Service Canada offices offer urgent processing.

For same day service, you need proof of travel within the next 2 business days and you must arrive at the passport office early.

2. Name Change

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, you cannot use the simplified renewal form. You must:

Fill out the full general application (PPTC 153)
Provide your legal name change document (marriage certificate, court order, etc.)
Get a guarantor signature
Provide proof of citizenship

3. Lost or Stolen Passport

You cannot renew a lost or stolen passport. You must report it to the IRCC first, then apply for a completely new passport (not a renewal). If you found your passport after reporting it lost, you must return it to IRCC before applying online — you are not eligible to renew online in this case.

4. Passport Full of Stamps

Canada does not add extra pages to a full passport. If every page is stamped, you must renew even if the passport has not expired. This is something many frequent travelers do not know until their passport is rejected at a border.

5. Renewing from Outside Canada

If you are in the United States, use form PPTC 054 and apply through the nearest Canadian consulate or embassy.

If you are outside Canada and the US, use form PPTC 482. The process and timeline are different. Check the IRCC website for your specific country’s instructions.

6. Senior Passport Renewal Canada

There is no special process for seniors. Senior passport renewal Canada follows the same simplified renewal rules. Seniors aged 16 or older when they first got their passport can use the simplified form. One thing to check some seniors have older passports that do not show place of birth. If that is the case, they must use the full general application.

7. Expired Passport Renewal Canada

You can still renew an expired passport as long as it was issued within the last 15 years. Expired passport renewal Canada is handled the same way as a regular renewal same form, same process. If it expired more than 15 years ago, you must apply for a brand new passport.

Passport Renewal Canada Checklist

0 / 14 done

📄 Documents 0 / 5

Completed form PPTC 054 (simplified) or PPTC 153 (general)Download from canada.ca — fill in black ink only

Current or most recent passportInclude even if expired — do not leave it out

Two printed photos (or one digital photo for online)50x70mm printed / 420x540px minimum for digital

Citizenship documents — general application onlyBirth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate

Name change documents — if applicableMarriage certificate or court order required

💳 Payment 0 / 2

Correct fee amount readyFees increased March 31, 2026 — verify at canada.ca/passport-fees

Right payment method for your submission methodOnline / in-person: card. By mail: cheque or money order only, no cash

📷 Photos 0 / 5

Taken within the last 6 months

Correct sizePrinted: 50x70mm. Digital (online only): 420x540px minimum

White or light grey background only

No glasses, no headwearException: headwear worn for religious reasons is allowed

Taken by a commercial photographerNo selfies — pharmacy or photo studio only

✉ Submission 0 / 2

Chose your method — online, in person, or by mailOnline: about 20 business days. In person: 10-20 days. Urgent: same day possible

If urgent — proof of travel readyFlight booking or hotel reservation showing travel within 2 business days

All items checked — you are ready to submit your passport renewal application.

After You Apply — What Happens Next

Once you submit your application, here is what to expect:

Your old passport is cancelled (immediately for online, shortly after for other methods)
For online and mail applications, your new passport is mailed to you by Canada Post Xpresspost
Someone at your address needs to sign for the delivery
Your old (cancelled) passport is returned to you along with the new one — except for online applications, where the old one may not be returned

If your passport has not arrived after the expected time: Contact the Passport Program by phone at 1-800-567-6868. Have your application reference number ready. You can update your mailing address after applying by contacting the Passport Program. Do this as soon as possible if you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

At least 3 to 6 months before it expires or before your travel date. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.

No. Once you apply especially online your old passport is cancelled. You cannot travel with it. Wait until your new passport arrives.

Only if you are filling out the full general application. Simplified renewal does not need a guarantor.

Yes, as long as it was issued within the last 15 years. If it was issued more than 15 years ago, you need a new passport application instead.

Adults 16 and older can choose either. A passport renewal canada 10 years costs more upfront but saves money and time in the long run. A passport renewal canada 5 years is a cheaper option if you think your information (name, etc.) might change soon.

Use the office locator at ircc.canada.ca to find passport renewal canada near me or service canada passport renewal locations. You can also book a passport renewal canada appointment or service canada appointment booking through the same site.

Passport renewal form PPTC 054 is the simplified adult renewal form. It is available for download on canada.ca. It is the form most adults use when renewing.

Yes. If you applied online, log into your IRCC portal account. If you applied in person or by mail, call the Passport Program directly or use the reference number from your confirmation.

Final Thoughts on Passport Renewal in Canada

Getting your passport renewed is not complicated if you prepare ahead of time. Pick the right method based on how soon you need to travel. Gather your documents before you sit down to fill out the form. Double-check your photos that is where most people run into problems. If you are not sure which form to use or whether you qualify for the simplified process, the canada.ca website or Can contact personally has an eligibility tool that walks you through it step by step.