Canadian Passport Renewal in the USA

If you are a Canadian citizen currently residing in the USA and plan to travel abroad, you will need a valid Canadian passport. To avoid any issues, it is best to renew your passport while you are in the US.

Read the article to learn everything you need to know about Сanadian passport renewal in USA, including Canadian passport expiration rules in USA, passport renewal for a child, and required documents.

Table of contents

• Can You Renew a Canadian Passport in the United States?
• Canadian Passport Renewal in the USA: Step-by-step Process
• Canadian Passport Renewal for a Child
• Documents Required for Canadian Passport Renewal
• Canada Passport Size Photo Requirements
• Online Canadian Passport Photo Maker
• Take a Canadian Passport Photo With a Phone
• How to Print a 5×7 Photo in the USA?
• How long Does it Take to Renew a Canadian Passport From the USA
• Canadian Passport Renewal Fees

Can You Renew a Canadian Passport in the United States?

Yes, you can renew your Сanadian passport in the USA, but the process is a bit different from doing it in Canada. Here's what you need to know:

• If your current passport is valid for less than 12 months, you must apply for a new passport, not a renewal. You can do this at the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate in the United States.
• If your current passport is valid for over 12 months, you can renew it by mail.

Canadian Passport Renewal in the USA: Step-by-step Process

Renewing a Canadian passport in the US is straightforward and similar to the renewal process from other countries, with the main difference being the submission part:

• Fill out the Application Form PTCC 054.
• Collect the required documents.
• Find two people who have known you for at least two years to act as references. These individuals will need to confirm your identity. For more details about references, check the References and Guarantors page.
• Submit Your Application. For sending a passport to Сanada from the US, use a courier service like Purolator or FedEx, or a trackable mail service such as Canada Post Xpresspost. This helps to speed up delivery and 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

Canadian Passport Renewal for a Child

What about Сanadian child passport renewal from the USA? – It's important to know that you can't renew a child's passport. Once the child turns 16, they can apply for an adult passport. Until then, you must apply for a new minor passport each time their old one expires.

Who can apply for a child's passport? – One of the following must apply:

• A parent (if not separated or divorced).
• The parent with custody or decision-making responsibility (if separated or divorced).
• The child's legal guardian. Be sure to include all legal documents proving your legal guardianship.

All parents or legal guardians must sign the application form. To get the form, visit the Canada Child Passport US page and answer a few questions.

Documents Required for Canadian Passport Renewal

Make sure to include the following documents with your Canadian passport renewal application from the USA:

• Passport Information:
  • Date of issue
  • Expiration date
  • Passport number
• Most recent passport if it’s still valid.
• Two identical passport photos. On the back of one photo, ensure the photographer includes:
  • Their name
  • Their full address
  • The date the photos were taken

For passport renewals, you do not need a guarantor’s signature on the photo.

All your documents must be in either English or French. If any document is in another language, you must provide an official translation.

Canada Passport Size Photo Requirements

Make sure your Canada passport photo meets the following guidelines:

• The photo should be 5×7 cm (2 × 2¾ inches).
• Face Height: Your face should measure between 31 mm (1¼ inches) and 36 mm (1⁷⁄₁₆ inches) from the chin to the top of your head.
• The photo should be taken within the last six months.
• Use a plain white or light-coloured background that clearly contrasts with your face.
• Photos must be clear, sharp, and in focus.
• Ensure uniform lighting with no shadows, glare, or flash reflections.
• There should be a clear difference between your face and the background.
• The photo must show your natural skin tone.
• Use plain, high-quality photo paper.
• Maintain a neutral facial expression with open eyes and a closed mouth. Do not smile.
• Your face and shoulders should be centred and square to the camera, without any tilting.
• Headwear is allowed only for religious or medical reasons.
• Glasses are permitted only if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare on the lenses.

Also, the photographer must include the date the photo was taken and the name and full address of the studio. If you're taking the photo at home, someone who can verify your identity must sign it.

Online Canadian Passport Photo Maker

Skip the stress and ensure your Canadian passport photo meets official standards with Visafoto.com, a top-notch photo editing service boasting a 99.7% approval rate.

Just snap a picture against a plain white background using your phone or digital camera, and upload it to Visafoto.com. The tool will handle all the tweaks, from image size and format to background colour and facial positioning, to guarantee your photo adheres to official guidelines. The photo was not accepted? We offer a full money-back guarantee.

You'll also get both a digital version for online submissions and a print-ready file.

So let's have a look at some examples. Your original photo should look like this:

After resizing, you will get a photo for online submission and 4 photos for printing:

Take a Canadian Passport Photo With a Phone

For an even smoother process, try the 7ID App from Visafoto.com. This user-friendly app simplifies creating ID, passport, and visa photos via your smartphone. Compatible with both iPhone and Android, it’s accessible for everyone.

With 7ID, simply upload your photo and choose the type of document and country. The app will automatically adjust your picture to meet the required standards, taking care of size, format, and background colour, and centring your face and eyes perfectly. You'll receive a digital file plus a print template suitable for standard paper sizes like 10×15, A4, A5, or B5.

For enhanced results, use 7ID’s Expert Tool. It employs advanced algorithms to refine your photos, regardless of the background. Need assistance? Our technical support team is available around the clock.

How to Print a 5×7 Photo in the USA?

Visafoto.com and the 7ID app will provide you with two options for your photos: a passport-sized digital image for online applications and a template for printing on 10×15 cm (4×6 inches) paper, containing four 5×7 cm passport photos.

To print your photos, find a local printing service that handles 10×15 cm (4×6 inches) prints. Many services let you order and pay online, and then pick up your prints at a convenient location.

Here is how to order your prints online on the example of Walgreens:

1. Visit Walgreens online photo service.
2. Select 4×6 prints.
3. Upload the image file from Visafoto.com or 7ID (it will have two passport photos on it).
4. Pay for the prints, choose the nearest store, and pick them up, usually within an hour.

5x7 photo printing at Walgreens

How long Does it Take to Renew a Canadian Passport From the USA

So, how long does it take to renew a Сanadian passport from the US? – Standard Canada passport renewal time from the USA takes about 20 business days (excluding mailing time).

What about the Express Service of Сanadian passport renewal from the USA? How long does it take to renew a Canadian passport faster? – Express Service will take 2–9 business days if submitted in person. There is also an Urgent Service, which is available next business day if you apply in person.

Canadian Passport Renewal Fees

No matter where you're applying from, be it the US or another country, the fees for renewing your Canadian passport are as follows:

• 5-Year Adult Passport (Age 16 and Over): CAD 190
• 10-Year Adult Passport (Age 16 and Over): CAD 260
• Child Passport (Age 0 to 15): CAD 100

You may have to pay extra for rent or express processing, for replacing a lost or stolen passport, and for other special services. For the current prices, check the Passport Fee page.

Speed up your Canada passport renewal process with a professional passport photo from 7ID or Visafoto.com!