So, you need your Canadian passport, eh?
Whether your passport has expired or you have your current one, be ready for a lot of headaches and migraines trying to get your hands on the ticket out of the Great White North. Without a passport, you cannot venture to Venice on a romantic adventure or you cannot travel to Hong Kong to escape from your past – yes, this does sound like the screenplay of a Hollywood movie.
Put simply, a passport is always essential for all Canadians. Those who have worked hard to go through Canadian immigration will understand the importance of this document. Otherwise, if you have a family emergency that requires you to leave Canada for a couple of weeks, for example, it would be nearly impossible to do be there for your siblings, aunts and uncles, or grandparents.
Don’t delay. Get it today. But do you know how to get a passport renewed? Here are the seven Canadian passport requirements to guide your process:
1. Damages
One of the very first things that the government of Canada requests is that your expired passport not be damaged. While your current wear and tear might be subjective, it would be a good idea to visit a Passport Canada office and speak with a representative and determine if it is damaged.
2. One Year Expiration
Yes, we are all procrastinators. And, yes, it can be frustrating to try to get a new passport. But if you have waited for more than a year then it is going to be rough.
The government of Canada requests that all renewal applications do not contain passports that have been expired for no more than one year.
3. Personal Information
On your renewal application, it is imperative that it has the same name, sex, date of birth, and place of birth as your new passport. There have been many cases where a man may have changed his first name or a woman may have changed her last name after getting married. There have also been cases where the place of birth was incorrect.
A different sex? See below. Whatever the case, this is one of the primary Canadian passport requirements, so you need to ensure that the information matches.
4. Gender Identifier
In today’s age, more people are identifying as a different gender. The federal government is gradually started to accept this trend and adapt to these conditions, but for now, you need to have the same gender identifier you want on your new passport. This is done by either printing it on your current passport or on the observation sticker.
5. Sweet Sixteen
To successfully renew your Canadian passport, one of the chief requirements is that it has been issued when you were at least 16 years of age. Anything before that will prompt you to apply for an entirely new passport.
6. A Children’s Passport
Applying for a new passport for your child? Renewing an old one? Well, there are three things you need to be aware of:
- One parent must provide proof of parentage.
- A child’s legal guardian must provide proof of guardianship.
- The custodial parent in the event of divorce or separation must provide legal documents.
Make sure your child meets these Canadian passport requirements.
7. Required Documents
This is where everything becomes too much legwork and paperwork. Here are the primary documents you will need to get your hands on a Canadian passport:
- Complete three pages of the application form.
- Sign these forms within the last 12 months.
- Have the application certified by a guarantor.
- Provide two identical passport photos taken in the last six months.
- Offer proof of citizenship.
- Give proof of identity.
- Extend any Canadian passport or travel document within the last five years (if applicable).
It should be noted that all the documents need to be the original; they will be returned to you. Also, you may need to provide additional documents or information if the bureaucrat requests it. One more thing: Any documents submitted in any language other than English or French must be accompanied by a translation from a certified translator.
Yes, it can take a lot of time to have your application approved or rejected. So, here are three tips to speed up the process:
- Know when you’re traveling? Complete all of the above at least three months ahead of time.
- Use the urgent or express service if you’re leaving in three days by showing proof of your travel (ticket, written declaration, proof of illness or death, and travel itinerary.
- Visit a passport office in person to speed up the processing time by half.
Life would be a lot easier if we did not have passports. For a long time, the world did not have these booklets, but this is the world we now live in. So, if you’re planning a family getaway or your new job requires you to frequently travel, then be sure to have all your documentation in order and apply for your passport immediately.