Travel & Citizenship

Canadian Passport Renewal for Adults: Who Can Renew and How Long It Takes

3 min read

In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. Who can renew?
  3. When must you apply for a new passport?
  4. How long does it take?
  5. Passport photos and mistakes that cause rejection
  6. Common mistakes
  7. FAQ
    1. Can I renew a child passport?
    2. Does the processing time include mailing?
  8. Key takeaways
  9. Related guides
  10. Sources

Can you renew your Canadian passport? Only if your last passport meets five conditions. If it does not, you must apply for a new passport, and a renewal that does not qualify is rejected and returned. Canadians living abroad and new citizens meet this rule often, so check before you send documents.

Quick answer

  • Your last passport must have been an adult passport, issued when you were at least 16.
  • It must have been issued within 15 years of your renewal application and valid for 5 or 10 years.
  • Your name, date of birth, place of birth and gender identifier must be the same as you want on the new passport.
  • Regular service standards are 10 or 20 business days, excluding mailing time.

Who can renew?

All of these must be true, according to IRCC:

  • Your last passport was an adult passport, issued when you were at least 16.
  • It was issued within 15 years of the date you apply for renewal.
  • It was valid for 5 or 10 years.
  • It has the same name, date of birth and place of birth you want on the new passport.
  • It has the same gender identifier you want on the new passport. This can be printed on your most recent passport or shown by an “X” observation sticker.

When must you apply for a new passport?

  • If you do not meet all the conditions.
  • If you want to change your name, date of birth, place of birth or gender identifier.
  • If your last passport was a child passport issued before age 16. You cannot renew a child passport. If you are 16 and your child passport has expired, apply for an adult passport.

IRCC says that if you apply to renew more than a year before expiry, you will be asked for the reason. Mailed applications must include a written explanation.

How long does it take?

Where and how you apply (regular passport) Business days (excluding mailing)
In person at a Passport Office or a Service Canada Centre offering 10-day processing 10
In person at a regular Service Canada Centre or scheduled outreach site offering passport services, by mail, or online 20
From abroad, mailed from the US 20
From abroad, mailed from outside Canada and the US 20
Urgent pick-up (in Canada) By the end of the next business day
Express pick-up (in Canada) 2 to 9

The count starts only after IRCC receives the application form, all supporting documents and the fees. Mailing time is not included.

Passport photos and mistakes that cause rejection

Applications are returned for incomplete forms and photos. Read our guide to why passport photos are rejected, and plan ahead if you also need to replace a lost passport abroad.

Common mistakes

  • Sending a renewal when you should apply for a new passport.
  • Applying to renew early without a written reason.
  • Booking travel inside the processing window.
  • Mailing from abroad without allowing 20 business days plus post.

FAQ

Can I renew a child passport?

No. IRCC says to apply for a new child passport when it expires, until age 16.

Does the processing time include mailing?

No.

Key takeaways

  • Check all five conditions before you renew.
  • Any name or personal detail change means a new passport application.
  • Allow 10 or 20 business days plus mailing.

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Service standards change; check IRCC.

Sources

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Check if you can renew your passport in Canada
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Canadian passports, check our service standards

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