Canadian Adult Simplified Passport Renewal (Form PPTC 054): Eligibility, 2026 Fees, and How to Apply

Last Updated Date: September 25, 2026

Renewing an adult Canadian passport is the simplest passport transaction in Canada. If your previous adult passport was issued when you were 16 or older, is not damaged, lost, or stolen, and your personal details have not changed, you can use the Adult Simplified Renewal Passport Application, form PPTC 054. Renewals do not require proof of citizenship, supporting identity documents, or a guarantor.

This guide covers the 2026 fee schedule (adjusted for inflation effective March 31, 2026), eligibility rules, photos, references, processing times, the “30 days or free” processing guarantee, and every application method: online, in person, and by mail.

What Is the Simplified Renewal (PPTC 054)?

Form PPTC 054 is the Government of Canada’s simplified renewal application for eligible Canadian adults. Compared with a general passport application, it asks for far less documentation because you already hold or recently held an adult passport. You must submit your most recent passport with the application; it will be cancelled and returned to you (unless it is damaged or there are safety concerns).

Who Can Use the Simplified Renewal

You can renew your Canadian passport using PPTC 054 if all of the following are true. If any condition fails, you must apply for a new passport instead, and your renewal application will be rejected and returned.

  • You are 16 years of age or older.
  • Your last passport was issued when you were 16 years of age or older (a child passport cannot be renewed; it must be replaced with an adult passport).
  • Your last passport was a regular (blue) passport valid for 5 or 10 years.
  • Your last passport was issued within the last 15 years.
  • Your passport has not been reported lost or stolen, and is not damaged.
  • Your name, date of birth, place of birth, and gender identifier have not changed since your last passport was issued.
  • If your passport is still valid, it will be cancelled once you apply. You cannot use it for travel while your renewal is being processed.

Who Cannot Renew

Do not apply for a renewal if you:

  • Have a passport that was issued when you were under 16 years old — you need a new adult passport instead.
  • Want to change your name, date of birth, place of birth, or gender identifier on the new passport.
  • Have a lost, stolen, or damaged passport — a lost or stolen passport must be reported with a declaration form (PPTC 203), plus a $45 replacement fee.

2026 Renewal Fees

Passport and travel document fees were adjusted for inflation on March 31, 2026 — the first update since 2013. Fees now adjust annually under the Service Fees Act. The amount you pay is based on the day you submit your application (online or in person) or the date IRCC receives it (by mail — not the date you mailed it).

Service (applied from within Canada) Fee (CAD)
10-year adult passport (age 16 and up) $163.50
5-year adult passport (age 16 and up) $122.50
10-year adult passport (Canadians outside Canada) $266.25
5-year adult passport (Canadians outside Canada) $194.25
Replacement fee for a lost or stolen passport $45
Urgent pickup (extra service) $125.75
Weekend or statutory holiday service (extra service) $383.50

Documents You Need for a Simplified Renewal

The simplified renewal requires very few documents — no proof of citizenship, no supporting ID, and no guarantor.

  1. Completed form PPTC 054 — the Adult Simplified Renewal Passport Application. Fill it out on a computer (Adobe Reader 10 or higher, not a phone or browser), print it, and sign it. On the form, indicate whether you want a 5- or 10-year passport (Section 4, “Period of validity”).
  2. Your most recent Canadian passport — this is returned to you, cancelled, after processing.
  3. Two identical passport photos — meeting official specifications (see below).
  4. Payment of the correct fee.
  5. Two references — not a guarantor (see below).

Passport Photo Requirements

You must submit 2 identical and unaltered photos with your renewal application.

  • Photos must be 50 mm wide × 70 mm high (2 in × 2¾ in); your face must measure 31–36 mm from chin to crown of head.
  • Taken in person by a commercial photographer or photo studio, no more than 6 months before you apply.
  • Clear, sharp, in focus; uniform lighting with no shadows, glare, or flash reflections; plain white or light-coloured background; neutral facial expression with mouth closed and eyes open; colour or black-and-white both accepted.
  • Not altered in any way — no editing software, filters, or AI tools. Home-printed or heavyweight-paper photos are rejected.
  • On the back of 1 photo, the photographer must write or stamp their studio name, complete address, and the date the photos were taken.
  • You do not need a guarantor’s signature on the photo. Passport renewals do not need a guarantor.

References: No Guarantor Needed

Renewals do not need a guarantor, but you must provide two references who:

  • Are 18 years of age or older.
  • Have known you for at least 2 years.
  • Agree to you using their name and contact information on your application.

IRCC may contact your references, so make sure they are available — for example, not travelling outside the country. IRCC may ask for additional references at any time.

How to Apply: Online, In Person, or by Mail

Method Processing target Notes
Online (canada.ca/passport) 20 business days, plus mailing time Current passport is cancelled when you apply. Online eligibility is stricter than mail/in-person — check current requirements before choosing this option.
In person (Service Canada Centre or passport office) 10 or 20 business days, depending on the location, plus mailing time if mailed to you Faster (urgent/express) processing available at passport offices and certain Service Canada Centres — extra fees apply, and proof of travel may be required.
By mail 20 business days, plus mailing time Mail to: Passport Program, Gatineau QC K1A 0G3, Canada (courier: Passport Program, 22 de Varennes Street, Gatineau QC J8T 8R1, Canada). Processing time starts when a complete application is received.

How to Apply by Mail — Step by Step

  1. Confirm you meet all renewal eligibility criteria above.
  2. Download form PPTC 054 from Canada.ca (“Get the form and submit your passport renewal in Canada”) or pick it up at a Service Canada Centre.
  3. Complete, print, sign, and date the form (fill it in on a computer; do not use a phone or tablet).
  4. Get two identical passport photos from a commercial photographer, with the studio stamp on the back of one.
  5. Arrange payment of the correct 2026 fee ($163.50 for 10 years, $122.50 for 5 years).
  6. Mail the form, photos, payment, and your most recent passport (trackable mail is recommended). If your old passport contains a valid visa you need, note this on the form so the passport is returned to you.
  7. Track your application status online and wait for delivery — your cancelled passport is returned separately.

Processing Times and the “30 Days or Free” Guarantee

Service standards for passport applications vary between 10 and 20 business days, plus mailing time, depending on where you apply. Since April 1, 2026, a new guarantee applies: if a complete application takes longer than 30 business days to process, you receive a full refund of the passport fee — automatically, with no action required on your part.

  • The clock starts when IRCC receives your complete application (form, photos, documents, fees) and ends when the passport is printed and verified.
  • Mailing time is not included. Holds on incomplete applications and additional review time for complex applications are also excluded.

Common Reasons Renewal Applications Are Rejected or Delayed

  • Applying on the renewal form when you don’t meet all eligibility criteria (for example, a child passport, or a name/gender identifier change) — the application is rejected and returned.
  • Photos that don’t meet specifications (wrong size, older than 6 months, altered, home-printed, or missing the photographer’s stamp on the back of one).
  • Wrong fee amount — for mailed applications, the fee is based on the date IRCC receives it, not the date you mailed it.
  • Applying for renewal more than a year before expiry without giving a reason — IRCC will ask for the reason (mailed applications must include a written explanation).
  • References who can’t be reached when IRCC calls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I renew my passport online in 2026?
A: Yes. Since July 28, 2026, eligible adults (16+) can renew fully online at canada.ca/passport — the previous daily application cap has been lifted. Online processing targets 20 business days plus mailing time, and your current passport is cancelled when you apply. Online eligibility is stricter than in-person or mail-in renewal, so check the current requirements before choosing this option.

Q: How much does it cost to renew an adult Canadian passport in 2026?
A: For applications made in Canada: $163.50 for a 10-year passport and $122.50 for a 5-year passport. These fees took effect March 31, 2026, and will be adjusted annually for inflation.

Q: Do I need a guarantor for a passport renewal?
A: No. Simplified renewals do not need a guarantor — and your guarantor doesn’t need to sign your photos either. You do need two references (adults who have known you for at least 2 years) who agree to be contacted.

Q: How long does a passport renewal take?
A: Standard service targets are 10 or 20 business days (in person, depending on location), 20 business days (by mail), and 20 business days (online), all plus mailing time. Since April 1, 2026, if processing exceeds 30 business days, the fee is refunded automatically.

Q: Can I renew a passport that is already expired?
A: Yes. You can renew with PPTC 054 as long as your last passport was issued within the last 15 years, even if it has already expired. If it expired more than 15 years ago, you must apply for a new passport.

Q: Can I travel while my renewal is being processed?
A: No. Your current passport is cancelled once you apply, so do not finalize travel plans until you receive your new passport. If you need a passport sooner, apply in person for urgent or express service (extra fees apply).

Q: What if I need to change my name on my new passport?
A: You cannot use the simplified renewal if you want to change your name, date of birth, place of birth, or gender identifier. You must apply for a new passport with supporting documents.

Q: How do I check the status of my renewal?
A: Include your email address on the form — it makes online status checks easier. You can check your status at Canada.ca/Passport-Status, or call the Passport Program at 1-800-567-6868 (toll-free; TTY 1-866-255-7655), Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm local time.

Information Sources

Disclaimer: ServiceCanadaPassport.ca is an independent information website and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, Service Canada, or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Passport rules, fees, and processing times can change. Always confirm current requirements on the official Canada.ca passport pages before applying.