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.
Free tool: Passport Renewal Checker: Can I Renew, and How?
This tool needs JavaScript. Open the tool page for the written version.
Renewal or new passport?
Renewing is simpler: no guarantor, no proof of citizenship and no identity document. You must apply for a new adult passport instead if:
- your last passport was a child passport (issued before you were 16);
- it was issued more than 15 years ago;
- you want to change your name, date of birth, place of birth or gender identifier;
- it was lost, stolen or damaged.
How long it takes
| How you apply | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Online (IRCC Portal) | Up to 20 business days, plus mailing time |
| By mail | 20 business days, plus mailing time |
| In person, standard | 10 or 20 business days, depending on the office |
| In person, express pickup | 2 to 9 business days (passport offices, proof of travel needed) |
| In person, urgent pickup | End of the next business day (passport offices, proof of travel needed) |
What it costs
| Passport or service | Applying in Canada | Applying outside Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Adult passport, 10 years (age 16 and over) | $163.50 | $266.25 |
| Adult passport, 5 years (age 16 and over) | $122.50 | $194.25 |
| Child passport, 5 years (under 16) | $58.50 | $102.50 |
| Urgent pickup (end of the next business day), added to the passport fee | $125.75 | - |
| Weekend or statutory holiday service (emergencies only) | $383.50 | - |
| Temporary passport | - | $125.75 |
These fees apply to applications received on or after March 31, 2026. Express pickup (2 to 9 business days), replacing a lost or stolen passport that was still valid, and transferring your file to another office cost extra; the amounts are on the official fee list. Mailing the passport to you is free.
Step by step
-
Check that you can renew.
Your last passport must be an adult passport (you were 16 or older when you applied), issued in the last 15 years, valid for 5 or 10 years, with the same name, date of birth, place of birth and gender identifier you want on the new one. If not, apply for a new passport instead.
-
Choose how to apply, based on when you travel.
Online or by mail: up to 20 business days plus mailing time. In person at a Service Canada Centre or passport office: 10 or 20 business days, or faster at a passport office if you can show proof of travel.
-
Get your photos.
Two identical printed photos for mail or in person, or a digital photo from a commercial photographer for online renewal. Both must be taken in the last 6 months.
-
List two references.
Adults (18 or older) who have known you for at least 2 years and are not close family. No guarantor is needed to renew.
-
Fill in the renewal form and pay.
Online, the form and payment are done in the IRCC Portal. By mail or in person, use the adult renewal application form from the official page and include your current passport.
Phone numbers
Passport Program (Canada and U.S.)
1-800-567-6868Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm local time (Newfoundland 9 am to 5:30 pm). Closed on statutory holidays.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew an expired passport?
Yes, as long as it was issued within the last 15 years and you meet the other renewal conditions. Online renewal is open to passports that have expired or expire within the next 6 months.
Do I need a guarantor to renew my passport?
No. Adult renewals only need two references, not a guarantor.
Can I travel while my passport is being renewed?
No. Your current passport is cancelled when you apply. If you travel soon, apply in person at a passport office and ask for express or urgent service.
Can I renew my child's passport?
No. Child passports can't be renewed. Apply for a new child passport each time.
Sources
- Renew an adult passport (canada.ca)
- Check if you can renew (canada.ca)
- Get the form and submit your application (canada.ca)
- Passport fee changes (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.