Passports

Passport Canada is the federal government agency responsible for issuing Canadian passports.

Service Canada and Canada Post act as passport receiving agents on behalf of Passport Canada, giving Canadians broader access to passport services across the country.

Receiving agents accept general passport applications (adult and child) and simplified renewal passport applications, review them to make sure that they are accurate and complete, collect the application fee along with your original citizenship document, and forward your application package to Passport Canada for processing. Once Passport Canada has approved and issued your passport, it will be delivered to the mailing address specified in your application.

The Service Canada Receiving Agent service is free of charge and available in these Service Canada Centers. Certain Canada Post locations offer the service for a fee.

Important notice: Traveling within the next 20 business days

If you plan to travel within the next 20 business days, please apply in person at a Passport Canada Office. This period does not include delivery time.

Application information

Types of applications that receiving agents can accept

Receiving agents accept general passport applications (adult and child) and simplified renewal passport applications.

Types of applications that receiving agents cannot accept

The complex cases described below are not available at Service Canada Centres and must be submitted at a Passport Canada office if:

  • Your application is urgent (i.e., you will be travelling in less than the advertised processing times; this period does not include delivery time).
  • Your current passport is still valid for more than one year.
  • Your current passport is lost, stolen, damaged or inaccessible (form PPTC 203 is required).
  • You do not have a guarantor (form PPTC 132, Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor, is required).
  • You are applying on behalf of a child and only one of the parents is participating in the application, no matter what the circumstances (e.g., death, sole custody).
  • You are requesting a free replacement.
  • You want to extend a limited validity passport.

Financial Information

You can pay your application fees at a Service Canada Centre by:

  • certified cheque or money order (postal or bank) made payable to the Receiver General for Canada;
  • credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express);
  • debit card; or
  • cash (exact change only).

Forms

Application forms are available online on the Passport Canada website.

Additional Information

  • If you are a Canadian citizen and you meet certain eligibility criteria, you can renew your passport using the Simplified Renewal Application Process.
  • If you are currently living abroad, please visit the Passport Canada website to find out details about applying for a passport abroad.
  • As of June 1, 2009, everyone travelling to the United States by land, sea, or air, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, must present a valid passport or another secure document. For a comprehensive list of acceptable documents please visit the Canada Border Services Agency's website.

Contact Information

If you would like more information, or have any questions about the status of your passport application, please consult the frequently asked questions on the Passport Canada website or communicate directly with Passport Canada.