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Passports

Passport References and Guarantor: Who Can Sign

Every passport application needs two references: adults who have known you for at least 2 years and are not family. New passports also need a guarantor: a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, who has known you for 2 years and holds a 5- or 10-year Canadian passport that is valid or expired less than a year ago. Renewals don't need a guarantor.

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Who can be a reference

  • 18 or older, and has known you for at least 2 years.
  • Agrees to you using their name and contact details, and can be reached.
  • Not your guarantor, spouse or common-law partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild, their spouses or in-laws, or a relative living at your address.
  • A boyfriend or girlfriend can be a reference if you are not common-law. So can a former spouse or partner.

Who can be a guarantor (new passports)

  • A Canadian citizen, 18 or older.
  • Has known you personally for at least 2 years.
  • Holds a Canadian passport valid for 5 or 10 years that is valid or expired less than 1 year ago, applied for at 16 or older.
  • Available to confirm your identity, in English or French.

The guarantor signs your form and the back of one photo. If no one qualifies, use the statutory declaration in lieu of guarantor from the official forms.

Related

Apply for Your First Adult Passport in Canada For a first adult passport (or if you can't renew), you need proof of Canadian citizenship, an identity document, two identical photos, a guarantor and two references. A 10-year passport costs $163.50. Apply in person or by mail; standard processing is 10 to 20 business days. 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.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a guarantor to renew?

No. Adult renewals only need two references.

Will the passport office call my references?

They may. IRCC can contact references and guarantors and ask for more at any time.

Sources

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.