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How to Apply for a Canadian Child Passport: 2026 Requirements & Fees
Download: Child passport application in Canada
Navigating the Canadian child passport application process is essential for families planning international travel. Whether you are applying for the first time or replacing an expired document, staying updated on the latest 2026 fee changes and documentation rules ensures a smooth experience at Service Canada.
First, decide whether you need a standard passport (which has 36 pages) or a child passport (which has 30 pages) and choose between a 5-year or a 10-year validity period. However, for children under 16, the passport is only issued for a maximum of 5 years.
Who Can Apply?
To apply for a passport on behalf of a minor (under 16 years of age), you must be:
- One of the child’s parents (if not separated or divorced).
- The parent with legal custody or “decision-making responsibility” (in cases of separation or divorce).
- The child’s legal guardian.
Note: As of February 2026, all legal documents regarding custody, mobility, or access must be submitted in their latest versions to reflect current “in force” clauses.
Latest Passport Fees (Effective March 31, 2026)
The Government of Canada has updated the fee structure to reflect inflation. If your application is received on or after March 31, 2026, the following costs apply:
| Service Type | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Child Passport (Under 16) – In Canada | $58.50 |
| Child Passport (Outside Canada/USA) | $102.50 |
| Urgent Pickup (Next business day) | $125.75 (plus passport fee) |
| Express Pickup (2–9 business days) | $50.00 (plus passport fee) |
Required Documents Checklist
Ensure you have the following original documents ready. Photocopies are generally not accepted for proof of citizenship:
- Proof of Canadian Citizenship: Birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
- Proof of Parentage: Long-form birth certificate listing parents’ names.
- Legal Documents: Any court orders or agreements relating to the child’s custody.
- Two Identical Photos: Taken within the last 6 months. One photo must be signed by a guarantor.
- Valid ID: The applicant parent’s government-issued identification.
Processing Times & Service Guarantee
Standard processing at a passport office is typically 10 business days, while Service Canada Centres and mail-in applications take roughly 20 business days. New for April 1, 2026: If a complete application exceeds 30 business days, the government will issue an automatic refund, making the passport free.
Find a Guarantor and References
Your application requires a guarantor who has known you personally for 2 years and holds a valid 5-year or 10-year Canadian passport. Additionally, you must provide two references (not relatives or your guarantor) who have known you for at least 2 years.
Pro-Tip for Travelers:
Children aged 15 and under do not require a passport to enter the U.S. by land or sea; a birth certificate is sufficient. However, a valid Canadian passport is mandatory for all air travel.
Instructions and tips
- Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
- If you can’t open the form, follow these instructions.
- To get a Braille instruction booklet or large-print forms sent to you, contact us.
- The term “mother’s surname” may not apply to you. If it doesn’t
- cross it out on the form and write “parent’s surname at birth”
- fill in the field with the surname (last name) at birth of 1 parent
- write your initials in the margin
If the child’s passport has a valid visa in it
Tell us on your form if you need the visa and want the original passport back. If you don’t, the visa could be damaged when the previous passport is cancelled.
Gather all necessary documents and get your child’s passport photo
Include the following documents with your child’s application form:
- any valid Canadian passport or travel document issued in the child’s name
- This is so we can cancel it.
- Your child can’t travel with a cancelled passport or travel document.
- 2 identical passport photos of the child
- On the back of one of the photos, the photographer must write
- their name
- their complete address and
- the date the photos were taken
- Your guarantor must also sign the back of this photo.
- Read the full photo requirements for more information.
- On the back of one of the photos, the photographer must write
- proof of your child’s Canadian citizenship
- This can be a long-form birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
- It must be the original document, not a photocopy.
- This can be a long-form birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
- proof of parentage or proof of legal guardianship (if applicable)
- all documents that refer to the custody of, mobility of, or access to the child
You may need to provide extra documents if you’re updating their gender identifier.
You must submit all documents in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation.
Complete the Application Form
The application form for a child’s passport can be downloaded from the official Government of Canada’s website or picked up at a Canada Post location, Service Canada, or passport office. The form must be filled out with great care to avoid mistakes that could delay the process.
Find a guarantor
A guarantor is required to complete the child’s passport application. The guarantor must:
- Be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older.
- Have known you (the applicant) personally for at least two years.
- Have known the child since birth or for at least two years.
- Be available to Passport Canada for verification.
The guarantor must also sign one of the child’s passport photos and complete the designated section of the application form, confirming the child’s identity.
Submit your application and pay your fees
By appointment
- You need to complete the online Service Canada form .
- complete the required fields
- click on Passport services: appointment request for a passport service
- check the box beside If you need to apply in person, select this option
- Service Canada will call you back to schedule your appointment.
Without an appointment (walk-in)
You can go to any passport office (Service Canada Centre – Passport Services) or Service Canada Centre that offers passport services without an appointment (also called walk-in services).
Walk-in services are not guaranteed. They may not be available at busy locations.
If you can’t submit your application yourself, someone else can submit your application for you.
Paying your fees
Your fees depend on what services you’re getting and how you’re applying.
Fees and methods of payment for in-Canada applications
You won’t receive a refund for the service fee if
- you cancel your child’s application
- you are refused a travel document for your child
- the child is issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested (for example, in cases where an individual has had multiple losses)
Receiving your child’s passport
If you applied by mail, the passport (and any original documentation you submitted) will be returned to you by traceable mail and may arrive in two separate packages.
If you applied in person and paid for a pick-up service, the pickup date will be indicated on your receipt. The passport may be picked up by a third party if they provide written consent from the applicant and valid identification.
Important: Never sign your child’s passport or other travel document. A parent’s or legal guardian’s signature makes the document invalid. Print the Signature policy (PDF, 600.51 KB) and bring it with you when you travel in case you are asked to sign it.
A child’s passport or other travel document does not need a signature. A child may sign the passport or travel document and children over the age of 11 are encouraged to sign. If a child does not sign, the signature block on page 3 must be left blank.
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