A Canadian passport may be considered inaccessible when you know where it is but can't obtain or submit it when you need passport services.
An inaccessible passport is not necessarily a lost passport. If you know where your passport is, do not report it as lost simply because you cannot access it right now.
Canada Passport Help provides professional assistance with understanding the applicable procedure and preparing and reviewing your request or application, including the information and supporting documentation required by the Canadian Passport Program, to help identify potential issues before submission.
What Should You Do If Your Canadian Passport Is Inaccessible?
If your Canadian passport or other Canadian travel document is inaccessible, the Government of Canada instructs you to contact the Passport Program (opens in a new tab).
You will need to:
- Provide proof of where your passport is currently located; and
- Explain why you cannot wait for the passport to be returned or become accessible.
The Passport Program will review your circumstances and determine the appropriate procedure.
Canada Passport Help can help you prepare the explanation and supporting documentation before you contact or submit information to the Passport Program.
What Does “Inaccessible Passport” Mean?
An inaccessible passport is generally a passport you know exists and whose location you know, but that you cannot currently obtain or submit.
For example, circumstances may arise in which your passport is being held or is otherwise unavailable to you even though you know where it is.
Distinguish an inaccessible passport from one that is genuinely lost or stolen, because different procedures may apply.
Do You Need PPTC 203 for an Inaccessible Canadian Passport?
Depending on the passport service and procedure required in your circumstances, you may need to complete PPTC 203 (opens in a new tab) — Declaration Concerning a Lost, Stolen, Inaccessible, Damaged or Found Canadian Travel Document.
PPTC 203 asks for information about a valid Canadian travel document that is no longer in your possession, including an explanation of why you are not submitting the document and what efforts you have made to recover it.
The Passport Program lists PPTC 203 as a supporting form for various Canadian passport application processes.
Canada Passport Help can assist you with preparing and reviewing PPTC 203 when required, including explaining why your passport is inaccessible and the efforts you have made to obtain it.
Do Not Report an Inaccessible Passport as Lost
If you know where your passport is, do not report it as lost solely because it is temporarily inaccessible.
A valid passport that is reported lost or stolen may be cancelled and cannot simply be used again if it is later recovered.
Instead, explain the circumstances to the Passport Program and follow the procedure applicable to an inaccessible passport.
What Information Should You Be Prepared to Provide?
The Passport Program may require information and supporting evidence concerning your inaccessible passport, including:
- Where your passport is currently located;
- Why you cannot currently obtain it;
- Why you cannot wait for it to be returned or become accessible;
- What efforts you have made to recover or obtain the passport; and
- Any supporting documents relevant to the circumstances.
Additional information or documentation may be required depending on your particular situation and the passport service you are requesting.
How Canada Passport Help Can Assist
Inaccessible passport situations can differ significantly depending on why you cannot obtain a passport.
We can assist with:
- Reviewing the circumstances that make your passport inaccessible;
- Helping you identify the appropriate passport application or procedure;
- Preparing and reviewing PPTC 203, when required;
- Preparing an explanation of where your passport is and why it cannot currently be obtained;
- Reviewing supporting evidence concerning the location of your passport;
- Reviewing your passport application and supporting documents, where a new application is required; and
- Identifying potential errors or missing information before submission.
Our objective is to help you prepare a complete, clearly documented, and carefully reviewed request or application for consideration by the Canadian Passport Program.
The Passport Program makes the final determination of the appropriate procedure and whether it can issue a replacement passport or other travel document.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inaccessible Canadian Passports
What does it mean if my Canadian passport is inaccessible?
A Canadian passport may be considered inaccessible when you know where the passport is but cannot currently obtain or submit it when you need passport services.
This is different from a passport whose location is unknown and is genuinely lost.
Should I report my Canadian passport as lost if I know where it is but cannot access it?
Generally, you should not report a passport as lost solely because it is inaccessible if you know where it is.
Instead, contact the Passport Program, explain the circumstances, and provide the requested information and supporting evidence.
What proof do I need if my Canadian passport is inaccessible?
The Passport Program states that you must provide proof of where your travel document is and explain why you cannot wait for it to be returned or become accessible.
Additional documentation may be requested depending on your circumstances.
Do I need to complete PPTC 203 for an inaccessible passport?
PPTC 203 specifically covers lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged, or found Canadian travel documents and may be required depending on the passport service and procedure applicable to your circumstances.
Canada Passport Help can assist with preparing and reviewing PPTC 203 when required.
More Questions?
For detailed information about inaccessible Canadian passports, passport renewals, new adult passport applications, guarantors, references, passport photos, and supporting documents, visit Canada Passport Help FAQs
Questions About an Inaccessible Canadian Passport?
Do you have a question about a Canadian passport you know the location of but cannot currently access?
Our team is available to help.
- Call: +1 (888) 808-0455
- Email: info@canadapassporthelp.ca
- Online: Contact Us