Passport Processing Times in Canada: How Long It Takes

Passport applications by mail or online take up to 20 business days plus mailing time. In person, standard service takes 10 or 20 business days. If you have proof of travel, passport offices offer express pickup in 2 to 9 business days or urgent pickup by the end of the next business day.

By Sarah Moglin Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

Last verified November 8, 2026 How we check our facts

Processing times by how you apply

How you apply	Time	Extra fee
Online renewal	Up to 20 business days + mailing	No
By mail	20 business days + mailing	No
In person, standard (Service Canada Centre or passport office)	10 or 20 business days	No
Express pickup (passport office)	2 to 9 business days	Yes
Urgent pickup (passport office)	End of next business day	$125.75
Weekend or holiday (emergencies only)	Call 1-800-567-6868 first	$383.50

Times start when a complete application is received. Missing references, unclear photos or the wrong fee can add weeks.

Check the status of your application

Use the application status check on the official passport pages, or call the Passport Program at 1-800-567-6868.

Phone numbers

Passport Program (Canada and U.S.)

1-800-567-6868

Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm local time (Newfoundland 9 am to 5:30 pm). Closed on statutory holidays.

Urgent and Express Passport Service: Get It in 1 to 9 Days If you travel soon, go in person to a passport office with proof of travel. Urgent pickup gets you a passport by the end of the next business day for an extra $125.75. Express pickup takes 2 to 9 business days. Regular Service Canada Centres don't offer urgent service. How to Renew a Canadian Passport: Online, by Mail or in Person You can renew an adult passport issued in the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older, if your name, date of birth, place of birth and gender identifier are unchanged. Renew online or by mail in about 20 business days, or in person for faster service. A 10-year passport costs $163.50 in Canada. Passport Canada Phone Number: Contact the Passport Program The Passport Program phone number is 1-800-567-6868 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.), Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm local time. TTY: 1-866-255-7655. From outside Canada and the U.S., contact the nearest Government of Canada office.

Frequently asked questions

Do weekends count in passport processing times?

No. Times are in business days, so weekends and statutory holidays are not counted. Mailing time is extra.

What counts as proof of travel?

A ticket, an itinerary showing payment, proof of an illness or death in the family that requires travel, or a written statement explaining why you need the passport.

Sources

Apply for an adult passport: when you need it (canada.ca)
Get the form and submit your renewal (canada.ca)

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.