Canadian Passport Guarantor and References: The Rules

A Canadian passport guarantor helps confirm who you are. Your two references have a separate role. However, the same family rules do not apply to both. Check each person's role before adding their name.

This guide covers an adult regular Canadian passport sent from within Canada. Rules can differ abroad or for other travel documents. First, use the adult passport guide to check your route.

Do you need a Canadian passport guarantor?

You need one for a first passport or when you cannot use renewal. In contrast, renewal does not need a guarantor. Also, check the current form rather than an old saved copy.

The person must meet all the official role requirements. For a regular passport sent from Canada, they must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older. They must also have known you personally for at least two years.

Their Canadian passport must qualify too. Its validity period must be five or ten years. They must have applied for that passport at age 16 or older. It can be valid or expired for less than one year, subject to the other rules.

Also, they must be able to speak English or French and answer questions to confirm your details. Check the full list of passport conditions before choosing them.

How is a Canadian passport guarantor different from a reference?

You need two eligible references for a passport. Each must be at least 18 and have known you for at least two years. They must agree to share their details and be available for contact.

However, your guarantor cannot also be a reference. Close family members cannot be references either. The official list also excludes certain other relatives who share your address.

For example, your spouse might qualify for the first role. They cannot be one of your passport references. Instead, check whether a long-term friend or coworker meets the rules.

What should you ask before filling in the form?

First, ask for consent to list the person. Then confirm their name and current contact details. Also, ask whether they will be easy to reach while the file is reviewed.

You could say: “May I list you as a passport reference? Please confirm your contact details and whether you will be available.” Use your real dates of acquaintance. Do not ask someone to claim a longer friendship.

Next, tell them when you plan to apply. If they will be away or hard to reach, consider another eligible person. This can prevent a last-minute change.

What must your Canadian passport guarantor sign?

The adult form and instructions set out their tasks. These include set fields and a signed statement on a photo. They must do those tasks themselves; you cannot do them on their behalf.

Also, copies of supporting ID need the required signature and date. The ID guide explains who can sign them. Check both sides of each copy before sending it.

Finally, review the form with the photos and ID. Check the signatures, dates and names. An unsigned copy is not ready just because it scans clearly.

What if you cannot find someone who qualifies?

Contact the Passport Program for its Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form. It is not available as a public online download. Then follow its rules about an official who can administer an oath.

Our notary and commissioner guide explains those roles. However, this route has its own reference rules. Read the instructions that come with the form.

Does passing the citizenship test replace this step?

No. The test and passport are separate tasks. Our citizenship test guide covers the test. Use the passport checklist for the travel document itself.

Canadian passport guarantor: check the roles before asking

Make a small planning table with one row for the guarantor and one for each reference. For each person, check age, how long they have known you and whether the family rules allow that role. Then check the extra passport conditions for the guarantor.

For example, a friend may be an eligible reference but not meet the passport conditions to act as guarantor. In contrast, a family member may qualify as guarantor but be excluded as a reference. Choosing by role prevents you from having to replace a name after the form is complete.

Confirm contact details without coaching answers

Ask each person to confirm the details you plan to enter. Explain that the Passport Program may contact them. However, do not give them invented dates or a script about how they know you. Their information should reflect the real relationship.

Also, check whether their phone details will still work if they travel. A person who agrees today may be hard to reach next week. If that is a concern, consider another person who meets the rules before submitting.

Review signatures as a separate task

Finally, set aside time to review the form, photo and copies of ID together. Use the current instructions for each item. Keep a checklist of who must sign, date or complete each item. A neat application can still be incomplete if one required signature is missing.