Passport Refusal

Canadian Passport Application Requirements

To apply for a Canadian passport, applicants aged 16 and over must provide valid proof of identity. The identity documents must be issued by a federal, provincial/territorial government authority in Canada, or an equivalent authority abroad, and must include all of the following:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Photo
• Signature

Applicants may submit one or more supporting identity documents to cover all required elements. If any element is missing, the passport application will be refused.

Applying with a Changed or Assumed Surname

If an applicant’s current surname (last name) is different from the name shown on their birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate, they must submit one of the following documents in addition to their birth or citizenship certificate:

• Marriage certificate
• Common-law relationship certificate
• Court order (e.g., separation agreement, divorce judgment)
• Certificate to dissolve a registered common-law relationship
• Resumption of surname certificate

The identity document submitted with the passport application must display the relationship surname the applicant is requesting to use.

Lost or Stolen Passports

If your passport is lost or stolen, you must notify Passport Canada immediately. A replacement fee will apply for a new passport.

Canadians Living Abroad

Canadians applying for a passport from outside Canada must provide a guarantor. A guarantor may be:

• An adult with a valid or recently expired (less than one year) Canadian passport, OR
• A person working in any of the approved occupations listed below.

The guarantor does not need to be a Canadian citizen if they are in one of the following professions:

• Medical doctor
• Dean or head of a university or college
• Dentist
• Judge
• Lawyer or notary
• Notary public
• Pharmacist
• Police officer
• Signing officer of a bank, trust company, or financial institution that offers full banking services
• Veterinarian

Passport Refusals & Revocations

If your passport application is refused, or if your issued passport has been revoked, you may appeal the decision by applying for a judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada.