Applying for a passport

Personal information

Names

All of your documentation, including your passport, should be issued under the same name. If you have changed the name on your other identification documents, your passport should reflect the same name. Applicants who have changed their names cannot have a passport issued in their new name through the Simplified Passport Renewal Process.

Married Surnames

To obtain a passport in your married surname, submit:

• an application form completed in full,
• a proof of Canadian citizenship,
• supporting identification in your married name,
• the photos signed by the guarantor,
• the required fees, and
• any valid travel document, if applicable.

You may be requested to submit your marriage certificate in support of your request to have your passport issued in your married surname.

You may no longer add your married name as an observation on a passport. If you wish to obtain a passport in your new name, you must apply for a new passport.

Common-law Partner Surnames

To obtain a passport in your common-law surname, submit:

• an application form completed in full,
• a proof of Canadian citizenship,
• supporting identification in your common-law name,
• a signed letter stating that you are in a common-law relationship and the co-habitation has been ongoing for more than one year,
• the photos signed by the guarantor,
• the required fees, and
• any valid travel document, if applicable.

You may no longer add your common-law surname name as an observation on a passport. If you wish to obtain a passport in your new name, you must apply for a new passport.

Legal Name Change

To obtain a passport in your new name, submit,

• an application form completed in full,
• all documentation as requested on the application form,
• one of the following:
  • the legal change of name document,
  • the adoption order, or
  • the birth certificate or citizenship certificate issued in the new name

  For a change of name,you must apply for a new passport.

Place of birth

Your place of birth must be provided on the application form. If you do not wish the place of birth to appear in the passport, a written request must accompany the application. You should contact the consulate or embassy of every country you plan to visit to ensure that you will be admitted if the passport does not include your place of birth.

Signature

Your signature must not exceed the inner limits of the signature box and must appear on all three pages.