Applying for a Canadian Passport
Things to Remember in the Passport Application Process
Having a passport is more important than ever as countries increase border security and tighten entry rules. The Canadian Passport is a well recognized and respected document and will allow the bearer the potential to enter almost any country.
While the process to obtain a Canadian passport is relatively straightforward, there are a number of mistakes which can hinder people from obtaining a passport in a timely manner. The most common issues and how to avoid them will be discussed below.
The first step in any passport application process is to pick up an application form, which can be done at any passport office or online at www.ppt.gc.ca. Once the form is in hand, it's time to get to work.
Get Good Photographs – And Don't Smile
Photographs are an excellent place to start, and are the most common source of application rejection. Every passport application comes with a list of criteria for the photos, but many people don't bother reading it. At the very least, read this.
The first step is to find a good photographer. Using a home camera is not acceptable, nor is going to a photo booth. A photography store such as Blacks will take passport photos, and many businesses such as Wal-Mart have passport photo services as well.
Next, make sure to look at the photos after they are taken. Several important rules include no smiling and no teeth showing, and these are hard and fast rules. If there is a clear smile on an applicant's face, or even a part of one tooth showing, the photos will be rejected. This is not a Canadian standard, but an international one, and one which the Passport Office has no leeway in enforcing.
As well, the photo needs to be straight-on and show the applicant's shoulders. If the photo cuts off the shoulders, or if the applicant's head is brushing the top of the photo frame, the photo will be rejected.
Lastly, make sure to take a look at the area around the head in the photo. While it does not matter if the photo is black and white or color, black and white or color photos taken on a white background can leave a black shadow behind the head and neck. If this shadow is too dark, the photo will be rejected.
Once the front of the photo appears to meet the standards, make sure to flip the photo over. The back of one of the photos needs to have the photographer's stamp and the date it was taken.
If any of the above criteria are not met, ask for retakes of the photos – there is no sense in paying for a photo that will be rejected.
Get a Guarantor
This is an important step in the process, and often the most confusing. Two years ago, the rules governing who could act as a guarantor were changed to make it simpler for Canadians to obtain passports, but many people are still unaware of how exactly the guarantor process works.
A guarantor can now be anyone who holds a valid Canadian passport (or one that has been expired for less than one year) and has known the applicant for two or more years. This means that if Jane Smith has a valid passport, and her husband John Smith is applying, she can act as his guarantor as long as they have known each other for at least two years.
The guarantor will sign the back of one of the applicant's photos and also the section labelled "declaration of guarantor" in the application form. The guarantor needs to have their passport on hand when they do this, as the form will ask for their passport information.
The important thing to remember about this change in guarantor rules is that the guarantor no longer needs to be a doctor, police officer, priest, etc. It can still be one of these people, but they need to have a valid passport and have known the applicant for at least two years. They no longer sign forms by virtue of their office, but as Canadian passport holders.
One other good thing to know about guarantors is how the process works with children. For anyone under the age of sixteen, the "applicant" is their parent or guardian, not themselves. Therefore the guarantor is stating that they have known the parent of a three-month-old child for two years, not the child themselves.
Check Over the Form Before Submitting
Once the photos are taken, the application form has been filled out and the guarantor has signed, the temptation is to head off to the nearest Passport Office and get the process started, but it is worth the time to double-check the form before getting in line at the office.
Read over all of the sections that have been filled out. Look for any missing numbers or words, even in the guarantor's section. If the guarantor makes a mistake, it is still the applicant who will be turned away. As well, double-check to make sure that all necessary documents are in hand. A new passport application requires that a birth certificate or citizenship card along with one other piece of ID be submitted. This other piece of ID must be issued by a federal, provincial or municipal authority and contain the applicant's name and signature.
This means, for example, that a new SIN card, which does not require a signature, would not be acceptable. It is always easier to make sure to have the right documents before starting out than to be rejected and have to make an extra trip.
A Canadian Passport currently costs $87 for an adult, $37 for a child 3-15 years old and $22 for a child under 3, and all values include GST. A passport typically takes between ten days to two weeks to be processed and sent out if submitted at an office.
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