Canadian Passport After Citizenship: When & How to Apply
Canadian citizenship allows a new citizen to apply for a Canadian passport, but a passport is not issued automatically after the citizenship ceremony. The applicant must first have accepted proof of Canadian citizenship, then submit a separate passport application with the required form, identity document, photos, guarantor, references and fees. Processing times depend on the service selected and the application method, while urgent or express service may be available when supported by the required documents. A citizenship certificate proves citizenship but cannot be used as a travel document, so international travel should be planned around receiving the passport. Passport expiry does not affect Canadian citizenship, but a passport may need to be renewed, replaced or corrected depending on its validity, condition and the applicant’s circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and how can a new Canadian citizen apply for a first Canadian passport, and is a passport issued automatically?
No. A Canadian passport is not issued automatically after citizenship. A new citizen may apply once the citizenship certificate is available; there is no additional waiting period. Canadian citizenship fees are separate from the fees required for a Canadian passport application.
An applicant with an electronic citizenship certificate must print it in the format required by the Government of Canada’s electronic citizenship certificate instructions before using it for a passport application.
First adult passport application
For a first adult passport application, the Government of Canada’s new adult passport application requirements generally require:
- accepted proof of Canadian citizenship
- a completed adult passport application form
- a supporting identity document
- 2 identical passport photos
- a guarantor
- 2 references
the applicable fee
The Government of Canada’s proof-of-citizenship requirements for passport applications should be checked before submission, as the accepted document format can depend on the type and date of the citizenship certificate.
Applicants in Canada may submit a first adult passport application in person or by mail. Online passport service is available only for eligible adult renewals, not first adult passport applications.
Applicants in the United States or outside Canada must use the application route for their location. Required forms, fees, submission methods and service options may differ.
Child passport application
A child who is a Canadian citizen needs a separate passport. A parent or legal guardian applies on the child’s behalf; a child cannot be added to a parent’s passport.
Under the Government of Canada’s child passport application requirements, the applicant must generally be:
- a parent who is not separated or divorced
- the parent with custody or decision-making responsibilities, if the parents are separated or divorced
- the child’s legal guardian
All parents or legal guardians should sign the application form. The application must include the child’s accepted proof of Canadian citizenship, passport photos and any documents needed to establish parental authority or legal guardianship.
A child passport is valid for a maximum of 5 years and cannot be renewed. When it expires, a new child passport application is required. At age 16, the applicant must apply for an adult passport.
What are the current Canadian passport fees after citizenship?
Passport fees are the same for a first passport application and a renewal. The amount depends on the applicant’s age, the passport’s validity period and where the application is made.
According to the Government of Canada’s passport fee list, applications submitted in Canada on or after March 31, 2026 cost:
- 5-year adult passport: CAD $122.50
- 10-year adult passport: CAD $163.50
- child passport: CAD $58.50
For applicants outside Canada, the current fees are:
- 5-year adult passport: CAD $194.25
- 10-year adult passport: CAD $266.25
- child passport: CAD $102.50
Additional charges may apply for urgent pickup, express service, weekend or statutory-holiday service, and the replacement of a valid lost or stolen passport.
Applicants applying in person in Canada may pay by accepted credit card, debit card, certified cheque or money order. Applications sent by mail may be paid by accepted credit card, certified cheque or money order. Cash and personal cheques are not accepted.
Passport fees are adjusted annually. The Government of Canada’s current passport fee list should be checked before submitting an application.
How long does a Canadian passport application take after citizenship, and how can its status be checked?
For a complete application submitted in Canada, standard processing generally takes:
- 10 business days at a passport office
- 20 business days at a Service Canada Centre or when applying by mail
Mail delivery is additional. The Government of Canada states that delivery within Canada usually takes about 5 business days after the passport is ready, although it can vary.
Processing begins when the Passport Program receives a complete application. The Government of Canada’s 30-day passport-processing guarantee provides an automatic fee refund when an eligible complete application takes more than 30 business days to process. Mail delivery and certain exceptional circumstances are not included.
The Government of Canada’s passport application status tool can be used after:
- 5 business days for an application submitted in person in Canada
- 10 business days for an application sent by mail in Canada or the United States
Applicants outside Canada and the United States should generally wait 20 business days, then contact the Government of Canada office where the application was submitted.
What urgent or express passport services are available when travel is needed soon?
Applicants in Canada who need a passport sooner may be able to request one of the Government of Canada’s urgent and express passport services:
- Urgent pickup: by the end of the next business day
- Express pickup: within 2 to 9 business days
- Emergency weekend or statutory-holiday service: available only in limited emergency situations
These services must be requested in person at an eligible passport office. The applicant must provide evidence supporting the need for faster service, such as:
- a paid travel itinerary or ticket
- proof of illness or death in the family
- a written explanation of an urgent legal, banking or residency requirement
Additional fees apply. Service is not guaranteed if the application is incomplete, requires further review or cannot be processed within the requested timeline.
Can a new Canadian citizen travel before receiving a Canadian passport?
A new citizen should not leave Canada until the Canadian passport is available if the trip requires returning to Canada by commercial air travel.
The Government of Canada’s guidance on travelling after the citizenship ceremony confirms that:
- the permanent resident card is collected or destroyed at the citizenship ceremony
- a citizenship certificate proves citizenship but is not a travel document
- a citizenship certificate cannot be used to board a flight to Canada or enter Canada as a passport replacement
A dual Canadian citizen generally needs a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada. Special authorization may be available only in limited circumstances.
Applicants with urgent travel plans should check eligibility for the Government of Canada’s urgent and express passport service before finalizing travel arrangements.
What is the difference between Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport?
Canadian citizenship is a legal status. It gives a person the rights and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen.
A Canadian passport is a travel document issued to eligible Canadian citizens. It allows the holder to travel internationally and return to Canada.
Citizenship exists independently of a passport. A Canadian citizen may hold an expired passport or no passport at all and remain a Canadian citizen. A passport application does not grant citizenship; the applicant must already be a Canadian citizen before a passport can be issued.
Does a Canadian passport prove citizenship or serve as proof of identity?
A valid Canadian passport is a government-issued photo identity document and a travel document. Many organizations accept it as identification, but each organization sets its own document requirements.
A Canadian passport is issued only to a Canadian citizen. However, when an application specifically requires proof of Canadian citizenship, the applicant should provide the document requested by that application.
For example, the Government of Canada’s proof-of-citizenship requirements for a new adult passport require an accepted citizenship document, such as a citizenship certificate or an eligible Canadian birth certificate for a person who acquired Canadian citizenship at birth. A passport should not be substituted when official proof of citizenship is specifically required.
Does Canadian citizenship expire when a passport expires, and when should a Canadian passport be renewed or replaced with a new application?
No. A passport expiry date affects the passport as a travel document; it does not affect Canadian citizenship.
An adult Canadian passport may be issued for 5 or 10 years. A child passport is valid for a maximum of 5 years and cannot be renewed.
The Government of Canada’s adult passport renewal requirements allow renewal only when the most recent passport:
- was issued when the holder was at least 16
- was issued within the last 15 years
- was valid for 5 or 10 years
- has the same name, date of birth and place of birth required on the new passport
- meets the Government of Canada’s gender-identifier requirements
If any requirement is not met, the applicant must submit a new passport application.
Passport holders should check the expiry date before arranging travel. Entry rules in many countries require a passport to remain valid for a certain period after arrival or departure. An applicant renewing more than one year before expiry may need to explain the reason for early renewal.
What should a passport holder do if a Canadian passport is lost, stolen, damaged or contains incorrect information?
A lost, stolen or damaged Canadian passport should be reported promptly. The Government of Canada’s lost, stolen and damaged passport instructions set out the required steps based on where the passport holder is located and whether the passport was still valid.
A replacement application is required. When a valid passport is lost, stolen or damaged, the applicant may need to submit the Government of Canada declaration for a lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found travel document. Additional fees may apply for a valid passport that was lost or stolen.
An expired passport that is lost, stolen or damaged generally does not require the same declaration process. The passport holder normally applies for renewal or a new passport through the regular route.
If a lost or stolen passport is found after it has been reported, it must be returned to the Government of Canada and cannot be used for travel.
For incorrect information, the passport holder should contact the Government of Canada promptly. A spelling error, name change, date-of-birth issue, place-of-birth issue or gender-identifier change may require a new passport application and supporting documents.
