Canadians can now renew their passports online from the comfort of home. The Government of Canada has officially expanded its online passport renewal service to all eligible adults across the country, making it easier than ever to renew a Canadian passport without visiting a passport office or Service Canada location.
“Canadians expect passport services that work for their lives. Expanding online renewal gives eligible Canadians a simpler, more convenient way to renew their passports, without unnecessary barriers or delays. This is part of the Government of Canada’s ongoing work to modernize passport services and deliver public services that are responsive to the needs of Canadians today.”
– The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
The nationwide rollout removes the previous limit on the number of people who could access the online service and allows eligible Canadians to complete the entire renewal process digitally, including submitting their application, uploading a digital passport photo, and paying online.
Who Can Renew Their Passport Online?
To be eligible for online passport renewal, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be renewing your own adult passport.
- Live in Canada and have both a Canadian home and mailing address.
- Have received your current passport when you were 16 years of age or older.
- Have a regular (blue) Canadian passport.
- Your passport was valid for either five or ten years.
- Your passport was issued within the last 15 years.
- Your passport contains your place of birth.
- Your passport expires within the next six months or has already expired.
- Your name, date of birth and place of birth remain the same on your new passport.
If you need to change your name or other personal information, are applying for your first adult passport, or are renewing a child’s passport, you’ll still need to use the traditional application process.
How to Apply for a Passport Online
Eligible Canadians can complete their passport renewal by following these steps:
- Sign in to the Government of Canada’s secure online passport renewal portal.
- Complete the online renewal application.
- Upload a digital passport photo that meets official passport photo requirements.
- Pay the renewal fee securely online using a credit or debit card.
- Submit your application electronically.
- Track your application online while it is being processed.
What You’ll Need Before You Apply
Before starting your online renewal, make sure you have the following:
- Your current or recently expired Canadian passport.
- A digital passport photo that meets Government of Canada requirements.
- A valid credit or debit card for payment.
- Your Canadian mailing address where your new passport will be delivered.
- Two references who can confirm your identity if requested.
How Long Does It Take?
The Government of Canada recommends using the online renewal service only if you need your passport in 20 business days or more.
If you need your passport sooner, you should continue using in-person passport services, where urgent and express processing options are still available.
What Was the Old Process?
Before online passport renewals became available to all eligible adults, Canadians typically had to renew their passports by:
- Visiting a Service Canada Centre or Passport Office in person.
- Mailing a completed paper passport renewal application.
- Printing and filling out forms by hand.
- Submitting printed passport photos.
- Mailing payment and supporting documents or delivering them in person.
- Waiting for mailed updates or contacting Passport Canada to check the status of their application.
The new online renewal system removes much of the paperwork and allows eligible Canadians to complete the entire renewal process from home, making it faster and more convenient.
A Simpler Way to Renew Your Passport
The expansion of online passport renewals is expected to make the process easier for millions of Canadians, particularly those who live far from passport offices or simply prefer using online government services.
While first-time passport applications, children’s passports, and applications involving personal information changes will still require the traditional process, eligible adults can now renew their passports online in just a few simple steps.
If you’re planning an international vacation or business trip in the coming months, now is a great time to check your passport’s expiry date. Renewing early can help you avoid last-minute delays and take full advantage of Canada’s new online passport renewal service.
