So your child needs a passport and you typed “Children’s Passport Renewal Canada” into Google. Good news — you found the right place. Bad news? Canada actually does not offer a renewal for children’s passports the way adults can renew theirs.
Here is the most important thing to know before you do anything else:
This guide is fully updated for 2026, including the new passport fee changes from March 31, 2026, and the brand-new 30-business-day processing guarantee starting April 1, 2026. Let’s get started.
📋 What You’ll Learn in This Guide
Who Needs to Apply for a New Child Passport?
First, let’s figure out if your child actually needs a new passport right now. Here are the most common situations:
- ✅ Your child’s passport has expired — apply for a new one
- ✅ Your child’s passport is lost or stolen — new application required (with an extra declaration form)
- ✅ Your child’s name has legally changed — you must apply for a new passport
- ✅ The passport is damaged or unreadable — new application needed
- ✅ This is your child’s first passport — same process applies
Special note about age: A child’s passport is valid for 5 years and is available for children under the age of 16. Once your child turns 16, they apply for an adult passport — which is a different form and process entirely.
Not sure what kind of help you need? Visit our main page at Passport Renewal Canada for a complete overview of all passport services available in Canada.
Required Documents Checklist (2026)
This is the section most parents bookmark. Getting your documents right the first time is the difference between a smooth application and waiting weeks for returned mail. Here is everything you need:
Core Documents (Required for All Applicants)
| Document | Details | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Application Form (PPTC 155) | Download from Canada.ca. Children 11 and older may sign themselves. | Do NOT sign before being instructed |
| Proof of Canadian Citizenship | Original birth certificate from provincial vital statistics. Photocopies are not accepted. | Original only — returned after processing |
| Proof of Parentage | Required since November 5, 2024 — even if your child already had a previous passport. | New rule — don’t miss this |
| Previous Passport (if any) | Submit the child’s most recent Canadian passport or travel document. | Include even if expired |
| 2 Passport Photos | Must meet Canadian specifications. Studio must handwrite name, address, and date on the back. | Guarantor signs the back of ONE photo |
| Guarantor Signature | Canadian citizen, 18+, known the parent for 2+ years, holds a valid Canadian passport. | Signs form AND back of one photo |
| Your Valid ID | Parent or guardian government-issued photo ID. | Driver’s license or passport works |
Documents for Special Family Situations
You must include ALL relevant legal documents: custody orders, separation agreements, mobility clauses, and divorce judgments. Updated guidelines from February 2026 apply. See our custody section below for full details.
Do not leave the second parent’s section blank. Contact IRCC directly for guidance on how to document this properly.
Include all legal guardianship documents alongside the standard application.
A Canadian citizenship certificate is required instead of a provincial birth certificate.
An official certified translation into English or French must be included.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Here is the full process from start to finish. Follow these steps in order and you will avoid the most common mistakes that slow down or reject applications.
Get form PPTC 155 from the official Government of Canada website. If you are applying from the United States, use PPTC 142 instead. Do not sign it yet.
Your guarantor must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, who has known you (the parent) for at least 2 years and holds a valid Canadian passport. They cannot be a family member of the child.
Visit a professional photo studio. You need two identical photos. The studio must handwrite or stamp their name, full address, and the photo date on the back — stick-on labels are not accepted. Your guarantor signs the back of one photo.
Use the checklist in the section above. Every document that is a personal record must be an original — not a photocopy. Originals are mailed back to you separately after processing.
You can apply in person at a passport office or Service Canada location, or by mail. If you need the passport urgently, you must go in person. More on this in the next section.
The fee for a child’s 5-year passport is $58.50 from March 31, 2026 onward. See the full fee table below. Note: fees are non-refundable in most cases.
Submit your complete application. The processing clock starts from the date your complete application is received — not from when you mailed it. You can check your status online through the IRCC portal.
Fees and Processing Times (2026 Updated)
Here is what you need to know about current fees and how long you can expect to wait. There are two big changes in 2026 that parents should know about.
Canada is raising passport fees for the first time since 2013. The new child passport fee goes from $57 to $58.50. Going forward, fees will be adjusted annually based on inflation under the Service Fees Act.
| Service | Fee Before Mar 31, 2026 | Fee From Mar 31, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Child Passport (5 years, under 16) | $57.00 | $58.50 |
| Urgent / Express Processing | Additional charge | Additional charge |
| Replacement for Lost/Stolen Passport | Extra fee applies | Extra fee applies |
Starting April 1, 2026, the Canadian government introduced a 30-business-day processing guarantee for passport applications. Here’s what it means for you:
- If your complete application is not processed within 30 business days, you automatically receive a full refund of your passport fee.
- You do not need to file a complaint or take any action — the refund happens automatically.
- This guarantee only applies if your application is complete. A missing document resets the clock.
- Most applications are currently being processed in approximately 20 business days.
⚠️ Please note: The government strongly advises that you do not book flights or make non-refundable travel plans until the passport is physically in your hands. The government is not liable for delays.
Applying In Person vs By Mail — Which One Should You Choose?
This is one of the most common questions parents have about Children’s Passport Renewal Canada. Here is a clear breakdown to help you decide:
🏛️ In Person
- Documents reviewed and returned same day
- Best for urgent travel situations
- Required if your application is complex (e.g. custody dispute)
- You can ask questions directly to passport staff
- Walk-in or appointment — check your local office
📬 By Mail
- Convenient — apply from home
- Use tracked courier (originals are irreplaceable)
- Provincial processing centres handle mail applications
- Original documents mailed back separately
- Not available for urgent processing
Applying from the United States? Use form PPTC 142 instead of PPTC 155. Submit at the nearest Canadian consulate, embassy, or by mail from a US address. Your completed passport will be mailed back to a US address only.
Want someone else to pick up the passport? A third party can collect the passport on your behalf if they bring their own valid ID and a written authorization letter from you.
Passport Photo Requirements for Children
One of the most common reasons applications get returned is incorrect passport photos. Get this right and you save yourself weeks of extra waiting time.
Here is exactly what is required:
- Two identical photos from the same print run
- Taken at a professional photo studio — not printed at home
- Studio must handwrite or stamp their name, full address, and photo date on the back of both photos. Stick-on labels are rejected.
- Your guarantor must sign the back of one photo (not both)
- Plain white or off-white background
- Child must face the camera directly with eyes open
- No hats, glasses, or head coverings (unless worn for religious reasons)
Separated or Divorced Parents — What You Need to Know
This section covers one of the most stressful situations parents face when applying for their child’s passport. Canada requires that both parents (or legal guardians) either consent to or are informed about a passport application for a minor child.
Documents You Will Need (Custody Situations)
- Separation agreement — include the full document, not just relevant pages
- Divorce judgment — the final order from the court
- Custody order — must clearly state who has custody and any mobility clauses
- Travel permission letters — if required by your custody agreement
If you have sole custody and the other parent is completely unreachable or their whereabouts are unknown, contact IRCC directly before submitting your application. Do not leave the second parent’s section blank — this will cause delays.
Protecting Your Child — The Passport Lookout System
Most guides don’t cover this, but it’s something every parent in a complicated family situation should know about.
Canada’s immigration department operates a Passport Lookout System. Any parent can request that their child’s name be added to this list. When a child is on the lookout list, any application submitted for that child triggers a manual review before the passport is issued.
- The lookout remains active until the child turns 16
- A parent can request removal of the lookout by contacting IRCC in writing
- This is especially useful in custody disputes or situations where one parent may try to obtain a passport without the other’s knowledge
- In most standard situations, both parents must demonstrate consent or show legal documentation explaining the absence of one parent’s consent
If you are concerned about unauthorized passport applications for your child, visit the Passport Renewal Canada home page for resources and guidance on protecting your child’s travel documents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Children’s Passport Renewal Canada
These are the questions parents ask most often. We have answered them in plain, simple language.
Final Checklist Before You Submit
You now have everything you need to understand how Children’s Passport Renewal Canada actually works in 2026. Let’s do a quick final check before you send in your application:
- ✅ I downloaded and completed form PPTC 155 (or PPTC 142 for USA applications)
- ✅ I have the original birth certificate or citizenship certificate
- ✅ I have proof of parentage (required since November 2024)
- ✅ I have two compliant passport photos with studio information on the back
- ✅ My guarantor has signed the form and the back of one photo
- ✅ I have included all relevant custody or legal documents (if applicable)
- ✅ I know the current fee: $58.50 from March 31, 2026
- ✅ I have not booked non-refundable travel until the passport arrives
Remember: the biggest reason applications get delayed or returned is missing documents or incorrect photos. Take an extra 10 minutes to double-check everything against this guide before you submit.
For more information about passport services in Canada, visit Passport Renewal Canada — your complete resource for all things related to Canadian passport applications.
For the official government application forms and current processing updates, visit the official Government of Canada child passport page.
