Applying for a new adult Canadian passport requires more documentation than renewing an existing adult passport.
Canada Passport Help provides professional assistance with preparing and reviewing your new adult Canadian passport application, including your proof of citizenship, identification, supporting documents, guarantor information, references, and passport photos before submission.
Do You Need to Apply for a New Adult Canadian Passport?
You will generally need to apply for a new adult Canadian passport rather than use the simplified renewal process if:
- You are applying for your first Canadian adult passport;
- Your most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago;
- Your most recent passport was a child passport issued when you were under 16;
- Your previous passport was not valid for 5 or 10 years; or
- You want to change the name, date of birth, place of birth, or gender identifier shown on your passport.
If your most recent passport was lost, stolen, inaccessible, or damaged, additional requirements may apply.
Not sure which application applies to you? Our team can review your circumstances and help identify the appropriate passport application process.
What Do You Need for a New Adult Canadian Passport?
A new adult Canadian passport application generally requires:
- Proof of Canadian citizenship;
- Government-issued identification supporting your identity;
- Two Canadian passport photos;
- A guarantor;
- Two references; and
- Any additional documents required for your particular circumstances, such as documents supporting a name change or correction to personal information.
The exact documents and procedures may vary depending on your circumstances and where you are applying from.
For official requirements, see the Government of Canada’s new adult passport requirements (opens in a new tab).
How Canada Passport Help Can Assist
Our professional application assistance and review can help identify potential issues before you submit your application, including:
- Missing or incomplete information;
- Application errors or inconsistencies;
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or identification issues;
- Guarantor or reference issues;
- Passport photo problems; and
- Missing supporting documentation.
Our objective is to help you prepare a complete, properly documented, and carefully reviewed new adult Canadian passport application and reduce the risk of avoidable corrections or delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Adult Canadian Passports
Can I renew my Canadian passport if my last passport was issued when I was a child?
Generally, no. A passport issued when you were under 16 is a child passport and cannot be renewed using the simplified adult passport renewal process. You will generally need to apply for a new adult Canadian passport.
Do I need a guarantor for a new adult Canadian passport application?
Yes. A new adult Canadian passport application generally requires an eligible guarantor. The guarantor must meet the applicable Government of Canada requirements and complete the required portions of your application.
Do I need references for a new adult Canadian passport?
Yes. A new adult Canadian passport application generally requires two references who meet the Government of Canada requirements. Your references must be different from your guarantor.
What proof of Canadian citizenship can I use for a new adult passport?
Depending on your circumstances, acceptable proof of Canadian citizenship may include a Canadian birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate. The document you need depends on how and where you obtained Canadian citizenship and your individual circumstances.
If you need assistance obtaining proof of Canadian citizenship, the separate Canada Citizenship Help (opens in a new tab) website provides citizenship services.
Can Canada Passport Help review my passport photos before I submit my application?
Yes. We can review your passport photos before submission to help identify potential issues with Canadian passport photo requirements, including size, positioning, lighting, shadows, and required photographer information.
We can also help identify photo studios near you that are familiar with Canadian passport photo requirements.
What if my previous Canadian passport was lost, stolen, damaged, or is inaccessible?
Additional requirements may apply if your previous Canadian passport was lost, stolen, damaged, or inaccessible.
Canada Passport Help offers dedicated services for these circumstances and can help identify the appropriate application process and documentation based on your situation.
More Questions?
For additional information about Canadian passport applications, guarantors, references, passport photos, supporting documents, processing, and other passport-related questions, visit Canada Passport Help FAQs
Questions About Applying for a New Adult Canadian Passport?
Have a question about applying for a new adult Canadian passport or about our service? Our team is available to help.
- Call: +1 (888) 808-0455
- Email: info@canadapassporthelp.ca
- Online: Contact Us