How to Apply for a Canadian Child Passport in 2026: Requirements, Fees, Forms & Custody Rules

Last Updated Date: September 25, 2026

Applying for a Canadian child passport works differently from an adult application. Children under 16 need their own passport, the rules around parental consent are stricter, and the fees changed in 2026. This guide walks you through every requirement — the form, the documents, who must sign, custody rules, photo rules, the guarantor, fees, and processing times — using only the current rules published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Quick Facts: The Canadian Child Passport in 2026

Sources: How to apply for a child passport in Canada – Canada.ca and Passport and travel document fee changes – Canada.ca.

Who Can Apply for a Child’s Passport

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

• One of the child’s parents (if you are not separated or divorced)
• The parent who has custody of, or decision-making responsibility over, the child (if you are separated or divorced)
• The child’s legal guardian — with all legal documents containing valid clauses showing you are the child’s legal guardian included

All parents or legal guardians should sign the application form. IRCC may contact the other parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to confirm consent. If you do not know where the other parent or legal guardian is, contact the Passport Program before applying — they will tell you what to do.

• A child passport cannot be renewed. Every child passport application is a new application, and you need a new one when it expires. (Check who can renew – Canada.ca)
• The passport stays valid until its expiry date even after the child turns 16. When it expires after the child is 16, they apply for an adult passport.
• If any other parent or legal guardian is deceased, you must submit the original death certificate (or an official copy issued by a provincial or territorial vital statistics office — or an equivalent office abroad). A statement of death issued by a funeral home is not accepted. If you cannot provide a death certificate, contact the Passport Program.

Documents You Need: The Full Checklist

Include all of the following with form PPTC 155:

Proof of citizenship details. If you submit a paper citizenship certificate: the original is required if issued on or before January 31, 2012; a copy or original is fine if issued on or after February 1, 2012, or if the certificate number begins with a K or an X. If you have a citizenship e-certificate, print a copy of it. The name on the proof of citizenship is what will appear on the passport. All documents must be in English or French — otherwise, include an official translation.

Proof of parentage. As of November 5, 2024, proof of parentage is required with every child passport application, even if you have applied for the child before. Acceptable proof:

• A detailed (long-form) birth certificate from a Canadian provincial or territorial vital statistics office that includes the name of the parent(s)
• A court-issued adoption order naming the adoptive parent(s)
• A foreign birth certificate naming the parent(s) (with an official translation if it is not in English or French)

If a parent’s surname on the proof of parentage differs from their surname on the application, include a linking document such as a marriage certificate, common-law relationship certificate, or legal name-change certificate. (Documents to submit when applying for a child’s passport – Canada.ca)

Guarantor Requirements for a Child Passport

You need a guarantor to sign both the application (section 6 of the form) and the back of one of the two passport photos. The guarantor must:

• Have known you (the applying parent/guardian) personally for at least 2 years, and
• Know of the child

Photo rules. Two identical, unaltered passport photos of the child taken within the last six months — one signed by the guarantor. The back of one photo must also show the photographer’s name, complete studio address, and the date the photo was taken (handwritten or stamped — stick-on labels are not accepted).

Custody, Separation, and Consent Rules

Child passport applications receive extra scrutiny because both parents’ rights are involved. The rules:

• Both parents or legal guardians should sign. Sign each page, and make sure all parents or guardians sign in sections 2 and 5, with the relationship between you and the other parent/guardian stated in section 2. The guarantor must sign and date section 6.
• Separated or divorced: the parent with custody of, or decision-making responsibility over, the child applies. You must submit every legal document with clauses about custody, decision-making responsibilities, access, parenting time, mobility — and any document with a specific clause about the child’s passport.
• A divorce judgment or order must be provided if a divorce has been granted and a valid provision is still in force.
• If both parents or legal guardians cannot sign the form, contact the Passport Program and they will tell you what to do — do not submit an incomplete application and hope for the best.
• Guardianship: legal guardians must include all legal documents containing valid clauses that establish the guardianship.
• Never sign your child’s passport for them. It does not need a signature until they are 16. A parent’s or legal guardian’s signature makes the passport invalid — and you will have to apply for a new one and pay all the fees again. If the child wants to sign it, they may; IRCC encourages children 11 and older to sign it themselves.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Complete the form. Fill out form PPTC 155 on your computer (use Adobe Reader 10 or higher; do not use a phone or tablet — the form will not work properly). Sign each page of the application. Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure everything is complete. Include your email address to make it easier to check the status of your application online after you apply.
2. Gather documents and the photo. Collect proof of citizenship, proof of parentage, any custody documents, any previous passport issued in the child’s name, and the two identical photos.
3. Find your guarantor. Have the guarantor sign section 6 of the form and date it, and sign the back of one photo.
4. Submit and pay. Apply in person at a passport office, or by mail. In person you can pay by credit or prepaid card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit card, certified cheque or money order, or a government cheque — payable to the Receiver General for Canada. Cash and personal cheques are not accepted, and you cannot pay online for in-Canada services.
5. Receive the passport. When processed, the passport is mailed to you (mail time is usually about 5 business days, but it varies) unless you paid for pick-up service. Original documents are mailed back separately. While waiting, you can check your application status online.

2026 Fees and Processing Times

Fees. The March 31, 2026 fee adjustment (the first since 2013) changed child passport fees:

If IRCC receives your application on or after March 31, 2026, the new fees apply. Under the Service Fees Act, passport fees will now be adjusted annually for inflation. Starting April 1, 2026, complete passport applications are subject to a 30-business-day processing guarantee — if processing exceeds 30 business days, the application fee is refunded automatically. (Fee changes; Fee increase notice, March 3, 2026)

Processing times. Expect 10 business days for in-person applications and 20 business days for mailed applications — “or more,” in IRCC’s words. These exclude delivery time and the drop-off day.

Common mistakes that delay applications:

• Forgetting to indicate the relationship between the applicant and the other parent/guardian in section 2
• Missing signatures in sections 2 and 5 (all parents/guardians must sign)
• Missing guarantor date in section 6
• Submitting a short-form birth certificate that does not name the parents
• Omitting custody documents after a separation or divorce

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a child passport be renewed?
A: No. A child passport can never be renewed. When it expires, you must submit a new child application (with form PPTC 155). When the child turns 16, they apply for a new adult passport instead.

Q: How long is a Canadian child passport valid?
A: A maximum of 5 years. There is no 10-year child passport. It remains valid until its expiry date even after the child turns 16.

Q: How much does a child passport cost in 2026?
A: $58.50 CAD for applications made in Canada and $102.50 CAD for applications made outside Canada, effective for applications received on or after March 31, 2026.

Q: Which form is used for a child passport?
A: Form PPTC 155 — Child General Passport Application for Canadians under 16 applying in Canada or the USA.

Q: Do both parents need to sign the child passport application?
A: All parents or legal guardians should sign the application form. IRCC may contact the other parent or guardian to verify consent. If both cannot sign, contact the Passport Program before submitting — they will advise you on what to do.

Q: What if the other parent has died?
A: Submit the original death certificate (or an official copy from a provincial/territorial vital statistics office or the equivalent office abroad). A funeral home’s statement of death is not acceptable. If you cannot provide it, contact the Passport Program.

Q: Does my child need a passport to travel to the US by land or sea?
A: No — children 15 and under do not need a passport to enter the United States or return to Canada by land or sea. A birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or citizenship card can be used instead. Once they turn 16, a passport is required.

Q: Can I sign my child’s passport for them?
A: No — never sign your child’s passport. It does not require a signature until the child is 16. Signing it yourself makes the passport invalid, and you will have to reapply and pay the fees again.

Information Sources

• How to apply for a child passport in Canada – Canada.ca
• Documents to submit when applying for a child’s passport – Canada.ca
• Passport and travel document fee changes – Canada.ca
• Passport and travel document fees increase soon (March 3, 2026 notice) – Canada.ca
• Check if you can renew your passport in Canada – Canada.ca
• Form PPTC 142 – Child General Passport Application (in the USA) – Canada.ca

Disclaimer: ServiceCanadaPassport.ca is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Passport program details can change — always confirm current requirements on Canada.ca before applying.