First Canadian Passport After Citizenship by Descent

Once you receive your Canadian citizenship certificate through descent, you're legally a Canadian citizen. But to actually travel on that citizenship—or prove it at a border—you need a Canadian passport. Unlike citizenship by naturalisation, there's no ceremony, no oath, and no waiting period. You can apply for your first Canadian passport immediately.

The process is straightforward but has a few quirks, especially for first-time applicants who live outside Canada and may not know any Canadian passport holders. Here's what you need to know.

Which passport form to use

You'll complete form PPTC 153: Adult General Passport Application. This is the standard form for Canadian citizens aged 16 and over applying for a first passport or renewing an expired one.

You can download the form from the Government of Canada passport page, or pick up a paper copy at any Service Canada location or Government of Canada office abroad.

Do not use the simplified renewal form (PPTC 054). That's only for people who already hold a valid Canadian passport or one that expired less than 15 years ago.

Documents you need

Your application package must include:

• Completed PPTC 153 form, signed and dated
• Two identical passport photos meeting Canadian passport photo specifications (one signed by your guarantor or declarant)
• Original citizenship certificate issued by IRCC—this is your proof of Canadian citizenship
• Proof of identity: driver's licence, government-issued ID card, or other photo ID
• Payment: $120 CAD for a 5-year adult passport, or $160 CAD for a 10-year passport (fees current as of 2026; check the IRCC site for updates)

If your citizenship certificate shows a different name than the one on your current ID (due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change), include legal documents proving the name change: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

The guarantor requirement—and what to do if you don't know one

Canadian passport applications require a guarantor: someone who has known you for at least two years, holds a valid Canadian passport, and can confirm your identity.

This creates an obvious problem for many people claiming citizenship by descent. If you've never lived in Canada and your Canadian parent or grandparent is deceased or doesn't hold a passport, you may not know anyone who qualifies.

The statutory declaration alternative

If you cannot find a guarantor, use form PPTC 132: Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor. This allows you to swear or affirm in front of a commissioner of oaths (or equivalent official) that you cannot obtain a guarantor for legitimate reasons.

On the form, you explain why you can't find a guarantor. Common reasons for citizenship-by-descent applicants:

• You have never lived in Canada
• Your only Canadian relatives do not hold valid Canadian passports
• You do not personally know any Canadian passport holders who have known you for two years

The form must be signed in the presence of a person authorised to administer oaths:

• In Canada: lawyer, notary public, commissioner of oaths
• In the US: notary public
• Elsewhere: notary public, solicitor, or Canadian consular official

Include the completed PPTC 132 with your passport application in place of a guarantor signature.

You'll still need one of your two passport photos signed by a reference (someone who has known you for at least two years, does not need to be Canadian). The reference confirms your identity but doesn't need to hold a Canadian passport.

Applying from the United States

Most arryv users live in the US. You have two options for submitting your first Canadian passport application from the US.

Option 1: Apply in person at a Canadian consulate or embassy

Book an appointment at the nearest Government of Canada office. Major offices include:

• New York
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Washington, DC
• Miami
• Seattle
• Denver
• Detroit

At your appointment, a consular official will review your documents, witness your signature, and submit your application on your behalf. They'll keep your original citizenship certificate temporarily while processing, then return it with your passport.

Processing time for in-person applications at a consulate: typically 20-30 business days from submission.

Option 2: Mail your application to a Canadian passport office

You can mail your application package directly to a Service Canada office. Consult the passport mailing addresses for the correct destination based on where you live.

Include a prepaid return envelope or courier waybill if you want your documents returned by a specific method.

Do not mail your original citizenship certificate via regular post. Use a tracked courier service (FedEx, UPS, DHL) or apply in person instead. Your citizenship certificate is an irreplaceable legal document. If lost, replacing it requires reapplying with form CIT 0001, paying another $75 fee, and waiting another 9-12 months.

Processing time for mailed applications from outside Canada: 6-8 weeks or longer, depending on volume.

Applying from outside North America

If you live outside the US or Canada, apply in person at the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission, or consulate. Processing times vary by location but generally range from 4-8 weeks.

Some missions require advance appointments; check the specific office's website before visiting.

How long does it take?

Realistic timelines for your first Canadian passport after citizenship by descent:

• In-person at a Canadian passport office in Canada: 10 business days (standard service), 2-9 business days (express), or same day (urgent, requires proof of travel within 24-48 hours)
• In-person at a Canadian consulate abroad: 20-30 business days
• By mail from the US: 6-8 weeks
• From other countries: 4-8 weeks

These are after you have your citizenship certificate in hand. If you haven't yet received your certificate, see our guide on Canadian citizenship processing times.

If you're planning travel, apply as early as possible. Don't book non-refundable flights until you have a passport in hand.

Do you need to be in Canada to pick up your passport?

No. If you apply in person at a consulate, your passport will be ready for pickup or mailed to you at that same location. If you mail your application, it will be returned to the address you provide.

You do not need to travel to Canada to receive your first passport.

Can you travel while your passport is being processed?

If you hold US citizenship or another nationality, you can continue travelling on that passport while your Canadian passport application is pending. Dual citizenship is fully legal under both Canadian and US law.

Once you receive your Canadian passport, you're required by Canadian law to enter and exit Canada using it (not your US or other passport). See our post on dual US-Canadian citizenship and taxes for more context on managing two nationalities.

What comes after your passport

With your Canadian passport, you can:

• Travel to and from Canada without a visa or eTA
• Live and work in Canada indefinitely without sponsorship
• Access consular assistance at Canadian embassies worldwide
• Pass Canadian citizenship to your children (subject to the substantial connection test if they're born outside Canada after December 15, 2025)

For a fuller picture of what your new citizenship enables, see what to do after receiving your Canadian citizenship certificate.

Get started

If you haven't yet confirmed your eligibility for Canadian citizenship by descent under Bill C-3, take our free 60-second quiz at /check. We'll tell you whether you qualify, which documents you need, and how arryv can help you prepare a complete CIT 0001 application.