What to prepare for a new adult passport in Canada

Paper and electronic citizenship proof follow different rules

A Canadian birth certificate used as proof generally needs to be the original from the province or territory of birth. The passport program also accepts an original paper citizenship certificate or a printout of an electronic citizenship certificate, as applicable. The citizenship page has separate instructions for people born outside Canada and older proof formats. Source 2

Have the guarantor sign the application and one photo

The guarantor signs the form and one of two identical passport photos. They also sign and date both sides of copied supporting ID when using that route. The photographer puts the studio or business name, complete address and photo date on the back of one photo. Source 1

Check the guarantor’s own passport

The standard guarantor must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older who has known you personally for at least two years. They need a five- or ten-year Canadian passport that is current or expired less than a year ago. They must have been at least 16 when they applied for it and be available to confirm the information. Source 1

Keep the references separate from the guarantor

Each reference must be at least 18, have known you for two years or longer and agree to the use of their contact details. The guarantor and certain relatives are ineligible as references. Include an existing Canadian passport or other Canadian travel document that remains valid. Source 1

Sources

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada new adult passport checklist
• Canada’s accepted citizenship proof for adult passport applications