How to renew a passport from the United States

Learn when to renew your passport and when it’s too soon to renew.

Forms, instructions and fees

Answer the questions below. We’ll then

• give you all the forms you need
• tell you how to submit your application
• show the costs for different passport services

You need to contact us as soon as possible to report the theft or loss of your previous passport.

How to get a passport from the U.S.

1. Complete the form
2. Get all the required documents and your passport photos
3. Find 2 references
4. Submit your application and pay your fees
5. Get your passport

1. Complete the form

• Fill out the form on your computer to save time.
  • Save the form on your computer and use Adobe Reader 10 or higher.
  • Don’t use your phone or tablet. The form will not work properly.

  If your passport is lost or stolen but still valid

  Since your passport is still valid, you also need to

  • add a complete declaration concerning a lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found Canadian travel document (PDF, 1.3 MB) to your application and
  • pay the extra fee for replacing a lost or stolen passport

  If your passport is damaged but still valid

  • If you can’t open the form after saving it to your computer and using Adobe Reader
    • in Canada or the US:contact us online or call us
    • outside Canada and the US: contact the closest Canadian government office abroad

    2. Get all the required documents and your passport photos

    You need to include the following with your application:

    • the following 3 pieces of information:
      • the date your passport was issued
      • the date it expired
      • its passport number
      • On the back of one of the photos, the photographer must write
        • their name
        • their complete address and
        • the date the photos were taken

        Passport photo requirements in the U.S. are different than in Canada

        Your photos must follow Canadian photo requirements. We’ll reject and return your application to you if you submit an unacceptable photo.

        To avoid any problems, print a copy of the passport photo specifications (PDF, 652.38 KB) to bring with you to the photographer.

        All your documents must be in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation (opens in a new tab) .

        3. Find 2 references

        You need to include 2 references (opens in a new tab) to include on your application.

        • They must have known you for at least 2 years.
        • They cannot be a family member.

        4. Submit your application and pay your fees

        Use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents.

        Mailing address (non-courier)

        Government of Canada
        Passport Program
        Gatineau, QC K1A 0G3
        Canada

        Courier address

        Government of Canada
        Passport Program
        22 de Varennes Street
        Gatineau, QC J8T 8R1
        Canada

        Pay your fees

        Your fees depend on what services you’re getting and how you’re applying.

        You won’t receive a refund for the service fee if you

        • cancel your application
        • are refused a passport or travel document
        • are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested
          • For example, if we issue a passport that’s valid for less than 5 years, despite you applying for a 5- or 10-year passport.
            • This may happen if you’ve lost your passport multiple times.

            Only the consular fee, which applies to all adult applications, is refundable if a passport is not issued.

            5. Get your passport

            We’ll mail the passport and any original documents you submitted to your address in the U.S. by courier service. They may arrive in 2 different packages.

            If you’re moving, but haven’t received your passport yet

            Contact us to update your mailing address if you

            • haven’t received your passport and
            • are moving within 30 days of submitting your application
            If you have a NEXUS card

            When you get your new passport, make sure your personal information is up to date (opens in a new tab) in the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) System.

            You must provide proof that you need the passport

            Proof you need the passport can be

            • an airline, bus or train ticket
              • If travelling by car, a written statement explaining why you need to travel
              • For example, for legal, banking or residency requirements

              If we can’t deliver the passport in time to you or your child, we aren’t liable for any losses.

              We recommend that you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.

              How to open our forms

              • use your computer
                • The forms may not open on mobile devices (iPads, tablets, mobile phones).
                • If you don’t have it, download Adobe Reader 10 for free.
                • Adobe has help for solving common issues with Reader.

                For more help, see our step-by-step instructions on downloading and opening PDFs. If you still have trouble opening the forms, contact us online or call us at 1-800-567-6868. If you’re outside Canada or the United States, contact the closest Canadian government office abroad.

                Passport number, date of issue, and date of expiry

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                Check the date of issue. If the date it was issued is within the past 15 years and you meet the other eligibility requirements, you can apply to renew your passport.