Canadian Passport Renewal from USA

Canadian passport renewal may be required in several cases: your current passport expired or has a soon-to-expire date or is lost, damaged, or stolen. You also need to renew your passport if there are any changes to its data: for example, you want to change your name, surname, gender, or date of birth.

You may need a valid Canadian passport to travel abroad as a Canadian citizen since it gives visa-free access to many destinations or/and just as identification to use in Canada.

Renewing a passport is simpler than applying for a new one. Canadian citizens 16 years old or older living in Canada can apply for Canadian passport renewal electronically; however, if you are currently in the USA, you need to visit the nearest Government of Canada office.

Who can apply online for a Canada passport renewal

Canadian passport renewal is only possible for persons whose last passport:

was an adult passport that was issued:
when an applicant was at least 16 years old and
within 15 years of the date an applicant submits a renewal application form
stayed valid for 5 or 10 years
has the same name, date of birth and place of birth as planned for the new passport
has the same gender identifier as a new passport should have
it can be printed on applicant’s most recent passport or have the observation sticker

In some situations, you mustn’t apply for a Canadian passport renewal but lodge a new adult passport application:

you have a valid child passport that was issued when you were under 16 years old:
you cannot renew a child passport
if you’re 16 years old or older and your child passport expires, you require an adult one.
you are planning to change your name, date of birth, place of birth or gender identifier

When to apply for a Canada passport renewal

If you consider when to apply for renewal of your Canadian passport, you need to decide why you renew your passport – for travel abroad or to use it as identification.

Renewing for travel

Most countries require that travelers intending to make an entry have a passport valid for at least 3/6 months from the planned arrival in the country. Note that every country has its own entry requirements, so you must examine the entry and exit requirements for each country you travel to. Check the expiry date of your passport to know if you need to renew it before your trip.

Renewing to use as identification

If you are going to use your Canadian passport as identification, you must renew it before it expires. Check how long the processing time for Canadian passport applications is because you may need to submit your passport with a renewal application.

Note: Should you apply to renew your Canadian passport more than a year prior to its expiry date, you will need to provide a written explanation for the reason for your early renewal.

How to apply for Canadian passport renewal

To renew a Canadian passport from the US, you need to complete the following steps:

Fill in the form. To save time, do it on your computer.
Gather all the necessary documents. Your documents must be in English or French. If they are in another language, you must provide an official translation.
Find 2 references. You require 2 references to include on your application: they must have known you for minimally 2 years.
Cover the fees. Only the consular fee can be refunded if a passport is not issued.
Submit your application. Lodge your application and payment receipt to the nearest Government of Canada office in the United States.
Receive your passport. Once your Canadian passport is ready, you will be notified of how and when to collect it.

Applicants 16 years of age or older living in Canada can renew their Canadian passports online. However, it is still necessary to send certain documents to the government of Canada via mail.

Requirements for a Canada passport renewal application

To complete the renewal process for Canadian passports, it is necessary to attach the following required documents:

a current passport (it must be in good condition: not ripped/damaged/lost/stolen)
a document to support your identity (a photocopy or the original)
two passport photos (government-compliant, taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio)
proof of Canadian citizenship (a birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate)
two references (friends/colleagues/employers of at least 18 years old who have known the applicant for a minimum 2 years and permit to use their data for passport renewal application)

When using online passport services, it is also important to have:

a working electronic device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC)
a stable internet connection
valid means of online payment
an active email address

Julia

Julia's expertise lies in providing professional content, simplifying the visa application process for travelers worldwide. Her dedication to delivering valuable and accurate information, combined with her love for exploring new cultures, inspires others to discover new horizons and embark on their own adventures.