How to apply for a child passport in Canada

A child passport is valid for a maximum of 5 years. It’s valid until it reaches its expiry date, even after the child turns 16.

You can’t renew a child passport. When the child turns 16, they can apply for a new adult passport. Until then, you need to apply for a new child passport when it expires.

Your child may not need a passport to travel to the US by land or sea.

• original or copy of their birth certificate
  • It should be issued by the vital statistics department from the province or territory where they were born.

  When they turn 16, they need a passport if they’re going to enter the US.

  Who can apply for a child passport

  To apply for a child passport, you must be one of the following:

  • one of the child’s parents (if you’re not separated or divorced)
  • the parent who has custody of or decision-making responsibilities over the child (if you are separated or divorced)
  • the child’s legal guardian
    • Include all legal documents proving your legal guardianship (opens in a new tab) of the child.

    All parents or legal guardians should sign the application form.

    • If you don’t know where the other parents or legal guardians are, contact us.
    • We may contact the other parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

    What we mean by “decision-making responsibilities”

    The term decision-making responsibility is new. The amended Divorce Act (opens in a new tab) defines decision-making responsibility as the ability to make significant choices about a child’s well-being. For example, decisions about health, education, religion and extra-curricular activities.

    These decisions can be made whether or not the child is currently in the care of the parent (for example, when the child is spending time with the other parent).

    If you’re worried that someone might apply for a passport for your child without your consent

    Forms, instructions and fees

    Answer the questions below. We’ll then

    • give you all the forms you need
    • tell you how to submit your application
    • show the costs for different passport services

    You need to contact us as soon as possible to report the theft or loss of your previous passport.

    How to apply for a child passport: Get it in 10 to 20 business days or more (Apply in person)

    1. Complete the form
    2. Get all the required documents and your child’s passport photo
    3. Find a guarantor
    4. Submit your application and pay your fees
    5. Get your passport

    1. Complete the form

    • Fill out the form on your computer to save time.
      • Save the form on your computer and use Adobe Reader 10 or higher.
      • Don’t use your phone or tablet. The form will not work properly.