If your most recent Canadian passport was issued within the last 15 years and you meet the Government of Canada’s renewal requirements, you may be eligible to use the simplified adult passport renewal process.
Canada Passport Help provides professional assistance with preparing and reviewing your Canadian passport renewal application, helping identify application errors, reference issues, and potential passport photo problems before submission.
Can You Renew Your Canadian Passport, or Do You Need to Reapply?
You may be eligible to renew your Canadian passport if your most recent passport meets all of the following requirements:
- It was an adult passport issued when you were at least 16 years old;
- It was issued within 15 years of the date you apply for renewal;
- It was valid for 5 or 10 years;
- It has the same name, date of birth, and place of birth that you want on your new passport; and
- It has the same gender identifier that you want on your new passport.
If you do not meet the renewal requirements, you will generally need to apply for a new adult Canadian passport instead.
Not sure which application applies to you? Our team can help you determine the appropriate application process based on your circumstances.
What Do You Need to Renew Your Canadian Passport?
The adult passport renewal process is simpler than applying for a new adult passport. You generally do not need to provide proof of Canadian citizenship, supporting identification, or a guarantor.
For a passport renewal application from the United States, you will generally need:
Your Most Recent Canadian Passport
You will need to provide information from your most recent Canadian passport.
If your passport is still valid, you must submit it with your paper renewal application. Your current passport will be cancelled as part of the renewal process.
Additional requirements may apply if your previous passport has been lost, stolen, damaged, or is otherwise unavailable.
Passport Photos
You must provide two identical, unaltered passport photos that meet Government of Canada passport photo specifications.
On the back of one photo, the photographer must write or stamp:
- The name of the photo studio or company;
- The complete address of the studio; and
- The date the photos were taken.
A guarantor is not required for an adult passport renewal, and your renewal photos do not need to be signed by a guarantor.
Canadian passport photo requirements differ from U.S. passport photo requirements. Canada Passport Help can help identify photo studios near you that are familiar with Canadian passport photo requirements and review your photos before submission.
Two References
A paper passport renewal application requires two references who meet the Government of Canada requirements.
Your references must:
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Have known you for at least two years;
- Agree to you providing their name and contact information for your application; and
- Meet the Government of Canada’s eligibility requirements for passport references.
Certain family members and other individuals cannot act as references.
Can You Renew a Canadian Passport from the United States?
Yes. Canadian citizens living in the United States can renew an eligible Canadian adult passport using the Government of Canada’s paper passport renewal process (opens in a new tab).
The Government of Canada’s online passport renewal service is currently available only to eligible applicants whose home and mailing addresses are in Canada. Applicants living in the United States must use the applicable paper renewal process.
Canada Passport Help assists Canadians living in the United States with preparing and reviewing their renewal applications and passport photos before submission to the Government of Canada.
How Canada Passport Help Can Assist
Although renewing an adult passport is generally simpler than applying for a new passport, your application must still meet specific Government of Canada requirements.
Our professional review is designed to help identify potential issues before you submit your application, including:
- Missing or incomplete information;
- Application errors or inconsistencies;
- Passport photo issues;
- Reference information problems; and
- Other matters that should be corrected or addressed before submission.
Our objective is to help you prepare a complete, properly prepared, and carefully reviewed Canadian passport renewal application and reduce the risk of avoidable corrections or delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Passport Renewal
Can I renew a Canadian passport that has already expired?
Yes, you may still be eligible to renew an expired Canadian passport if your most recent passport meets the Government of Canada’s renewal requirements, including having been issued within 15 years of the date you apply for renewal.
Can I renew a Canadian child passport?
No. A Canadian passport issued when the applicant was under 16 cannot be renewed using the adult passport renewal process. Once the applicant is 16 or older, they will generally need to apply for a new adult Canadian passport.
Do I need a guarantor to renew my Canadian passport?
No. An eligible adult Canadian passport renewal application does not require a guarantor, and your passport renewal photos do not need to be signed by a guarantor.
Do I need references to renew my Canadian passport?
Yes. A paper Canadian passport renewal application requires two references. They must generally be at least 18 years old, have known you for at least two years, and meet the Government of Canada’s requirements for passport references.
More Questions?
For detailed information about Canadian passport renewals, references, passport photos, supporting documents, and other passport-related questions, visit Canada Passport Help FAQs
Questions About Renewing Your Canadian Passport?
Have a question about your eligibility to renew your Canadian passport or about our service? Our team is available to help.
- Call: +1 (888) 808-0455
- Email: info@canadapassporthelp.ca
- Online: Contact Us