From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Last updated: April 16, 2020
On this page
Passport services
Passport services in Canada
You can’t get passport services at Service Canada offices, including passport services offices, until further notice.
If you already submitted an application, we’ll process it when service returns to normal.
If you need to travel urgently
You can get passport services in Canada if you have a valid reason to travel urgently.
Urgent travel reasons include if you’re travelling
- for a medical reason because you have a serious illness
- because of the serious illness or death of someone you know
- because you’ll have financial problems from the loss of a job or business
- to support an essential service
- for humanitarian reasons
- You need a letter from your organization that lists the humanitarian reasons.
The loss of airfare or other travel expenses is not a reason for urgent travel.
To apply urgently, complete the online form to get a call back, or call the Service Canada Passport Call Centre directly at 1-800-567-6868.
Don’t apply if
- you don’t meet the above criteria for urgent travel
- you’re having symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing or a fever
- you’re in isolation
If you don’t need your passport urgently, wait until services return to normal.
Passport services in the U.S.
If you need a passport for travel or to meet U.S. residency requirements, apply by mail or courier.
If you need a passport urgently, contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad.
If you don’t need your passport urgently, wait until services return to normal.
Passport services abroad
We’re still accepting passport applications at many offices abroad if you need to
- travel
- meet residency requirements
Before you apply, contact the nearest Government of Canada office by phone or email before you go in person.
If you don’t need your passport urgently, wait until services return to normal.
Travel document services in Canada (certificate of identity or refugee travel document)
You can’t apply for a travel document at the Certificate of Identity Office until further notice. If you’ve already applied, we’ll process your application when service returns to normal.
If you need to travel urgently
You can get travel document services in Canada if you have a valid reason to travel urgently.
Urgent travel reasons include if you’re travelling
- for a medical reason because you have a serious illness
- because of the serious illness or death of someone you know
- because you’ll have financial problems from the loss of a job or business
- to support an essential service
- for humanitarian reasons
- You need a letter from your organization that lists the humanitarian reasons.
To apply urgently, fill out the Web form and
- select the category for a certificate of identity or a refugee travel document
- include your travel date
- include the reason you need urgent services
Don’t apply if
- you don’t meet the above criteria for urgent travel
- you’re having symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing or a fever
- you’re in isolation
If you don’t need your travel document urgently, wait until services return to normal.
