Canadian Passports

The Canadian passport is an official document that allows Canadians to travel internationally. Theoretically, passports are issued by the Canadian monarch but in reality, Passport Canada is the body that issues them.

Types Available

Canada has six types of passports issued by the government.

Regular – The Regular passport sports a navy cover and is the passport most Canadians are familiar with. It has 24 pages and is issued to the citizens for normal travel, such as business trips or vacations. For those who are three years old and above, the validity period is five years. For those under three years of age, the validity period is three years.

Frequent Traveler – The Frequent Traveler passport also sports a navy cover and is 48 pages thick. The passport is issued to those who frequently travel, such as businessmen, and the extra pages are meant specifically for this purpose. The Frequent Traveler passport costs slightly more than the Regular passport but the validity period is still the same.

Temporary – The Temporary passport has a white cover and is issued to Canadians who urgently need a temporary passport while waiting for the regular one. The need must be proven urgent for someone to get this type of passport.

Emergency – An Emergency passport is a one-page, one-use document issued to Canadians abroad who need to return to Canada or to any place where they can obtain a full regular passport.

Special – A Special passport has a green cover and is given to people who represent the Canadian government on official business. These include Parliament members, Cabinet members, and private citizens on conferences that are not diplomatic by nature.

Diplomatic – A Diplomatic passport sports a maroon cover and is issued to Canadian diplomats. Top ranking officials in the government, diplomatic couriers, and private citizens that are appointed as official diplomatic delegates are also issued this passport.

Requirements

To get a passport, you must first get a Canadian passport application form. Remember, there are different versions of the passport application form depending on where you’re applying and your age, so be sure to pick the correct one. Most passport applications are obtained at a passport center, post office outlet, or online.

Next is to get proof of identity. This can be any document issued by a federal, municipal, or provincial government and must include both your name and your signature. A previous Canadian passport may also be used, provided that it is still valid or is submitted within one year of expiration.

You must also get proof of Canadian citizenship. A birth certificate or a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is required if you were born in Canada. For those born outside Canada, a Certificate of Citizenship, a Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship, or a Certificate of Naturalization is required.

Two identical copies of a passport-sized photograph must be submitted. The name and address of the photographer must be written on the back of the photo as well as the date when the photo was taken. Your guarantor must also sign the back of the photograph certifying that it is a true likeness of you.

Speaking of guarantors, all Canadian passport applications must be signed by one. Aside from the passport photos, any supporting documents should also be signed.

Additional Information

In 2007, Passport Canada made a few new rules regarding the renewal of Canadian passports as well as the eligibility of guarantors.

Starting August 15, 2007, Canadians may renew their passports using a shorter application form, two new photos, their last passport, and an application fee, provided that:

• they reside in Canada when they apply
• resided in Canada during their previous application
• were at least 16 years old during their previous application
• are in possession of a Canadian passport issued after January 31, 2002, valid for five years, and not reported lost, stolen, or damaged; it must also be issued under the person’s current name

For guarantors, the rule for eligibility has been somewhat relaxed since October 1, 2007. Guarantors can be Canadians who:

• currently hold a five-year Canadian passport; the passport can be valid or expired for no more than a year
• have known the applicant for more than two years
• are 18 years or over, and must have been 16 years or older when they got their own passport.

For more information regarding this article, read The Guide To Canada Passport.