Does Your Newborn Need a Passport in Canada?
Yes — every Canadian citizen, including newborns, needs their own passport for international air travel. There is no minimum age. Whether your baby is two days old or two months old, they cannot travel on a parent’s passport. The only exception is travel to the United States by land or sea, where children 15 and under can cross the border with a Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate instead.
If you are planning a trip abroad with your new baby — or simply want to have that passport ready for whenever you need it — this guide walks you through every step of the process, with specific details for families living in Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley, Coquitlam, and other Metro Vancouver cities.
What Documents Do You Need for a Newborn Passport in Canada?
Before heading to a Service Canada office, gather the following documents. Missing even one will delay your application.
1. Proof of Canadian Citizenship
You will need your baby’s long-form birth certificate — the version that lists both parents’ names. This is issued by BC Vital Statistics after you register the birth. A wallet-sized birth certificate or a hospital-issued record of birth is not accepted.
If your child was born outside Canada but holds Canadian citizenship, you will need a Canadian citizenship certificate instead. Original documents issued before February 1, 2012 must be submitted as originals. Copies are accepted for certificates issued after that date, or if the certificate number begins with K or X. E-certificates must be printed.
Important for new parents: BC Vital Statistics can take 4 to 6 weeks to issue a birth certificate after you register. Factor this into your timeline if you have upcoming travel plans.
2. Two Identical Passport Photos
Your baby’s passport photos must meet these requirements:
- Size: 50 mm × 70 mm
- Face measurement: 31 mm to 36 mm from chin to top of head
- Background: Plain white — a white blanket or sheet works well
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
- Expression: A neutral expression is preferred but not strictly required for infants
- Eyes: Unlike adult photos, a newborn’s eyes can be closed
- No props: No pacifiers, toys, hats, or headbands visible
- No parent hands: You can support your baby from behind, but your hands must not appear in the photo
Tip for Metro Vancouver parents: Many local photographers specialize in infant passport photos and know exactly how to position a squirmy newborn. Try taking photos when your baby is calm or sleepy, use natural light from a window, and take many shots so you can pick the best one. Need a photographer? Browse kids’ photographers on KidsServiceHub.
On the back of one photo, the photographer must stamp or handwrite their studio name, full address, and the date. Your guarantor must also sign the back of that same photo. Stick-on labels are not accepted.
3. A Guarantor
A guarantor is someone who vouches for your identity and confirms that they know your child. The guarantor must:
- Be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older
- Have known you (the applying parent) for at least 2 years
- Know the child
- Hold a valid Canadian passport (or have held one issued within the last year)
- Not be related to you by blood or marriage (unless no other option exists)
The guarantor must sign the application form and the back of one passport photo.
4. Proof of Parentage
Proof of parentage is required with every child passport application. The long-form birth certificate usually satisfies this requirement. If parents are separated or divorced, you must also submit all legal documents with valid clauses related to custody, decision-making responsibilities, access, parenting time, or mobility.
5. Parent or Guardian Government-Issued ID
You will need valid government-issued photo identification — a driver’s licence, provincial ID card, or your own passport.
6. Any Previous Canadian Passport or Travel Document
If this is your child’s first passport, you obviously will not have one. But if you are replacing a lost, stolen, or expired child passport, include the previous document or file a declaration.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Get the Birth Certificate
Register your baby’s birth through BC Vital Statistics as soon as possible. You can do this at the hospital before discharge, or online within 30 days. The long-form birth certificate typically arrives in 4 to 6 weeks.
Step 2: Take Passport Photos
Visit a professional photographer or use a passport photo app that meets Canadian specifications. Remember: 50 mm × 70 mm, white background, face between 31 and 36 mm, and no visible hands or props. Have the photographer stamp one photo with their studio details.
Step 3: Find Your Guarantor
Ask a Canadian citizen friend, neighbour, colleague, or community member who has known you for at least 2 years and who has (or recently had) a valid Canadian passport.
Step 4: Complete the Application Form
Download the child passport application form (PPTC 155) from the Government of Canada website, or pick one up at any Service Canada Centre. Both parents or legal guardians should sign the form. Important: Do not let your child sign the passport — and do not sign it for them. Children under 16 do not need to sign, though children 11 and older are encouraged to.
Step 5: Submit In Person or By Mail
In person (recommended for faster processing): Visit a passport office or Service Canada Centre with all your documents. You can book an appointment online through Service Canada, or walk in.
By mail: Send the completed application and documents to the processing centre for your region. For BC, NWT, Nunavut, and Yukon, mail to the Mississauga, Ontario address listed on the application form. Include payment by credit card, certified cheque, or money order. Cash and personal cheques are not accepted.
How Much Does a Newborn Passport Cost in Canada in 2026?
As of March 31, 2026, here are the current fees for a child passport (ages 0 to 15):
| Service | Cost (CAD) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (at a passport office) | $58.50 | 10 business days |
| Standard (at a Service Canada Centre or by mail) | $58.50 | ~20 business days |
| Express pickup | $108.50 ($58.50 + $50.00) | 2–9 business days |
| Urgent pickup | $184.25 ($58.50 + $125.75) | Next business day |
Express and urgent services require proof of travel — an airline ticket, travel itinerary, or documentation of an emergency such as a serious illness or death requiring travel.
New for 2026: If a complete application exceeds 30 business days of processing, the government will issue an automatic refund, making the passport free.
A child passport is valid for a maximum of 5 years and cannot be renewed. When it expires, you must apply again as a new application. At age 16, your child applies for an adult passport.
Where to Apply in Metro Vancouver: Every Service Canada Office
Here are all the Service Canada locations across Metro Vancouver where you can submit a newborn passport application. Offices marked with ★ are passport offices that offer 10-business-day standard processing, plus express and urgent pickup. All others are regular Service Canada Centres that process applications in approximately 20 business days.
Surrey ★ (Relocated March 2026)
Surrey Passport Services Office
3rd Floor, City Centre 3, 13761 96th Avenue, Surrey, BC
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Services: 10-day standard, express pickup, urgent pickup
Surrey City Centre Service Canada Centre
2nd Floor, City Centre 3, 13761 96th Avenue, Surrey, BC
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Surrey South Service Canada Centre
103-15295 Highway 10, Surrey, BC V3S 3K2
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Vancouver ★ (Relocated March 2026)
Vancouver Passport Services Office & Service Canada Centre
978 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Services: 10-day standard, express pickup, urgent pickup
This consolidated office replaced the two previous locations at Sinclair Centre (757 Hastings Street West).
Vancouver East Service Canada Centre
1420 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5N 5Y6
Vancouver West Broadway Service Canada Centre
1263 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G7
Richmond ★
Richmond Service Canada Centre – Passport Services
350-5611 Cooney Road, Richmond, BC V6X 3K5
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Services: 10-day standard, express pickup, urgent pickup
Burnaby
Burnaby Service Canada Centre
100-3480 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W7
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Coquitlam
Coquitlam Service Canada Centre
100-2963 Glen Drive, Coquitlam, BC V3B 2P7
Langley
Langley Service Canada Centre
102-8747 204th Street, Langley, BC V1M 2Y5
New Westminster
New Westminster Service Canada Centre
201-620 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3M 1J2
North Vancouver
North Shore Service Canada Centre
100-221 Esplanade West, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1A6
Maple Ridge
Ridge Meadows Service Canada Centre
11900 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 8R9
Abbotsford
Abbotsford Service Canada Centre
100-32525 Simon Avenue, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6T6
Pro tip: If you need your baby’s passport quickly, go to one of the three ★ passport offices (Surrey, Vancouver, or Richmond) for 10-day processing — or pay extra for express or urgent service. The regular Service Canada Centres in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, and other cities take approximately 20 business days. All offices accept the same application form and documents.
Phone for all locations: 1-800-567-6868 (toll-free within Canada)
How Long Does It Take to Get a Newborn Passport in Metro Vancouver?
The total timeline from birth to passport in hand typically looks like this:
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Register birth + receive birth certificate | 4–6 weeks |
| Get passport photos taken | 1 day |
| Submit application (standard, at passport office) | 10 business days |
| Submit application (standard, at Service Canada Centre) | ~20 business days |
Realistic total: Plan for 8 to 10 weeks from birth to passport if using standard processing, or 6 to 7 weeks if you submit at a passport office with 10-day processing. Need it faster? Express (2–9 business days) and urgent (next business day) options are available at passport offices in Surrey, Vancouver, and Richmond — but you will need proof of travel.
Bottom line: If you are expecting and know you will be travelling internationally, start the birth certificate process immediately after delivery.
Tips for Metro Vancouver Parents Applying for a Baby Passport
Start early. The birth certificate is the biggest bottleneck. Register the birth at the hospital before discharge and pay for priority processing if travel is imminent.
Book an appointment. Walk-ins are accepted, but the Surrey and Vancouver passport offices can get very busy. Booking online saves you a long wait with a fussy baby.
Bring everything. Forgotten documents mean a wasted trip. Use the checklist above and double-check before you leave home.
Both parents should sign. If both parents are listed on the birth certificate, both should sign the application. If only one parent can attend, the other parent’s consent section must still be completed, or additional documentation (like a court order or statutory declaration) may be required.
Know the photo rules. Infant passport photos are the number one reason applications get rejected. Get them done by a professional photographer who regularly handles baby photos — not a drug store photo booth. Find a kids’ photographer near you.
Plan around your baby’s schedule. Bring a bottle, snacks, a change of clothes, and your baby’s favourite comfort item. Arrive right when the office opens at 8:30 a.m. to beat the rush.
Keep a copy of everything. Photograph or scan all documents before submitting — birth certificate, application form, passport photos, and your ID. If anything goes missing, you will be glad you did.
What About Travelling to the U.S. with a Newborn?
If you are only crossing the U.S. border by land or sea — for example, driving from Surrey to Bellingham or taking the ferry to the San Juan Islands — children 15 and under do not need a passport. A Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate is sufficient.
However, for all air travel (including flights to the U.S.), a valid Canadian passport is mandatory for every traveller, regardless of age.
What If a Parent Is Deceased, Separated, or Unavailable?
The Canadian passport program has specific requirements for these situations:
Deceased parent: Submit the original death certificate or an official copy from a provincial or territorial vital statistics office.
Separated or divorced parents: The parent with custody or decision-making responsibilities can apply. You must include all court orders, custody agreements, and legal documents with clauses related to custody, access, parenting time, or mobility.
One parent unavailable to sign: If the other parent cannot sign (and there is no custody order), additional documentation like a statutory declaration may be required. Contact the passport program at 1-800-567-6868 for guidance specific to your situation.
Keeping Your Child Safe: The Passport Watch List
Worried about someone applying for a passport for your child without your knowledge? You can ask the Government of Canada to add your child’s name to a special safety list. If an application is submitted, you will be notified. Contact the passport program to set this up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a newborn passport cost in Canada in 2026?
A child passport (ages 0–15) costs $58.50 with standard processing. Express pickup costs $108.50, and urgent (next business day) pickup costs $184.25. These fees are effective as of March 31, 2026.
How long is a newborn passport valid in Canada?
A Canadian child passport is valid for a maximum of 5 years. It cannot be renewed — when it expires, you must submit a brand new application.
Can I apply for my newborn’s passport online in Canada?
No. As of 2026, child passport applications in Canada must be submitted either in person at a Service Canada Centre or passport office, or by mail. There is no fully online application option for children’s passports.
Do both parents need to be present to apply for a baby passport?
Both parents should sign the application form, but both do not need to be physically present at the office. One parent can submit the application in person as long as the other parent has signed the form. If only one parent has custody, valid court documentation must be provided.
Can a newborn’s eyes be closed in their passport photo?
Yes. Unlike adult passport photos, Canada allows a newborn’s eyes to be closed. A neutral expression is preferred but not strictly required for infants.
Where is the closest passport office in Surrey, BC?
The Surrey Passport Services Office relocated in March 2026 to the 3rd Floor, City Centre 3, 13761 96th Avenue, Surrey, BC. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and offers 10-day standard processing, express, and urgent pickup.
What is the fastest way to get a newborn passport in Metro Vancouver?
The fastest option is urgent pickup, which delivers the passport by the end of the next business day. This costs $184.25 and is available at passport offices in Surrey (13761 96th Avenue), Vancouver (978 Granville Street), and Richmond (5611 Cooney Road). You must provide proof of imminent travel.
Do I need a passport for my baby to fly within Canada?
No. Passports are not required for domestic flights within Canada. You may be asked for proof of your child’s age (such as a birth certificate) by the airline, but a passport is not necessary.
What happens if my newborn’s passport application is rejected?
The most common reason for rejection is non-compliant passport photos. If your application is rejected, you will be told what needs to be corrected. You can resubmit without paying a new fee, as long as you correct the issue within the timeframe provided by the passport office.
More Resources for New Parents in Metro Vancouver
Getting a passport is just one of many things on a new parent’s to-do list. Here are more guides from KidsServiceHub to help you navigate life with a baby in the Lower Mainland:
- Find pediatric health care providers near you
- Daycare and child care options in Surrey and beyond
- Daycare in Langley, BC: Costs, Waitlists & How to Find a Spot
- Kids Dental Care in Surrey, BC
- Kids’ photographers for passport photos and more
Last updated: August 2026. Fees, processing times, and office locations are sourced from the Government of Canada and may change. Always verify current details before applying.
