Alberta wildfires passport and travel documents special measures

As a result of the wildfires, Canadian passports and travel documents may have been lost, damaged or destroyed.

To support those affected by the wildfires, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, John McCallum, approved on Monday May 16th special measures for the issuance and replacement of passports and travel documents.

If a passport application was previously submitted

Anyone directly affected by the wildfires in Alberta and other affected areas who had submitted a passport application and was expecting their passport in the mail is asked to call 1-800-567-6868 to confirm the pick-up location or to provide an alternate mail location.

If a passport was lost, damaged or destroyed

If the constituent is a Canadian citizen, whose valid passport was lost, damaged or destroyed as a direct result of wildfires, a free replacement will be provided. The additional fee for a lost passport will also be waived. The replacement passport will be valid for the same length of time as the original passport.

The guarantor requirement for adult applicants (16 years of age and older) who are applying to replace a valid passport will also be waived.

These special measures will be in effect from May 3, 2016, to August 3, 2016. Passport applications must be submitted or post stamped within that time period.

To replace a valid passport

Holders of valid passports must apply either by mail or in person at one of the 34 passport offices or at a Service Canada passport receiving agent location.

What to submit

If applying as an adult applicant (16 years of age and older), the following must be submitted:

• a completed Adult Simplified Renewal Passport Application (PDF, 418.71 KB) form;
• two new passport photos (the cost will not be reimbursed);
• the previous passport, if available (even if damaged);
• proof of residence in an affected area or a Declaration Disaster Assistance (PDF, 83.31 KB) form; and
• a completed Declaration concerning a lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found Canadian travel document [PPTC 203] (PDF, 213.31 KB)

If applying for a child (0 to 15 years of age), the following must be submitted:

• a completed Child General Passport Application (PDF, 433.64 KB) form (guarantor is required);
• two new passport photos (the cost will not be reimbursed);
• the child’s previous passport, if available (even if damaged);
• the child’s proof of Canadian citizenship;
• proof of parentage;
• proof of legal guardianship (if applicable);
• all documents that refer to custody and/ or mobility of or access to the child (if applicable);
• proof of residence in an affected area or a Declaration Disaster Assistance form; and
• a completed Declaration concerning a lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found Canadian travel document [PPTC 203] (PDF, 213.31 KB)

If you need a Canadian passport urgently, find out where and how you can apply. For urgent processing, the proof of travel requirement can be substituted with a Declaration Disaster Assistance form.