Note: when updating information on your passport[1], you must submit a completely new passport application.  Even if you have a valid passport, the renewal form is not sufficient. 

To update your name or sex designation on Canadian passport, you will need:

1. Your Canadian birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate with updated name and/or sex designation:

  • if your citizenship document does not have the same sex designation as the one you are requesting, you need to provide supporting documents when you update your gender identifier. The following are accepted:[2]
  • proof of citizenship
  • proof of immigration status
  • a previous passport

When you apply for your new passport or travel document, you don’t need to provide any other documentation if: 

  • your previous passport or your verification of status document has the “X” observation sticker

or 

  • your proof of citizenship, proof of immigration status or previous passport has the same gender identifier as what you want

If your supporting documents don’t show the gender identifier you want: 

You need to complete a gender identifier request form with your new application. The request form PPTC 643,  Request – Sex or Gender Identifier,  is available via the Government of Canada website. Please note children under the age of 16 must fill out a separate request form, PPTC 644 Request – Sex or Gender Identifier, which is also available on the Government of Canada website.

You don’t need to include this request form if your previous passport or travel document has an “X” observation sticker. 

To update your name on a Canadian passport, you will need to include supporting identification that must show your new given name(s) and last name.  

If your proof of citizenship does not have the new legal name, you need to submit the proof of citizenship in your previous name and provide one of the following documents: 

  • a legal name change certificate 
  • an adoption order  
  • a court order  

Whichever of these documents you provide, it must have both your new name and your old name.

2. The Adult General Passport Application (PPTC 153) completed and signed. As part of your General Passport Application, you will also need: 

  • a guarantor’s signature (signature of a Canadian passport holder who has known you for at least 2 years who will vouch for your identity) 
  • two passport photos, one of which must be signed on the back by your guarantor 
  • proof of Canadian citizenship: either your certificate of birth in Canada or your certificate of Canadian citizenship. You must send the original; it will be returned to you
  • documents or photocopies of documents to support identity, which cannot be the same as the document used for Proof of Canadian Citizenship
  • your previous passport, if still valid 
  • the appropriate fee, depending on if you are applying from within Canada and if you are applying for a 5-year or 10-year validity passport

What documents do I need to update my SIN card?

To change the name and/or sex designation on your SIN record, you will need the following primary documentation (photocopies not accepted): 

If you are a Canadian citizen 

  • your birth certificate; or 
  • certificate of Canadian citizenship; 

If you are Indigenous and are registered under the Indian Act

If you are a permanent resident 

  • your permanent resident card; or 
  • confirmation of permanent residence, visa counterfoil, and foreign passport or travel document; or 
  • confirmation of permanent residence and foreign passport for visa-exempt countries; or 
  • record of landing issued before June 28, 2002; or 
  • verification of landing; or 
  • status verification 

If you are a temporary resident 

  • work permit; or 
  • study permit and contract of employment; or 
  • visitor record indicating you are authorized to work in Canada; or 
  • diplomatic identity card and note of permission of employment 

You will also need supporting documentation showing your name/sex designation has changed. 

If you want to replace your SIN card, there is a $10 fee. 

What can I use as “supporting identity” documents?

Supporting identity documents can be any number of government-issued documents which cumulatively show your name, sex, date of birth, signature, and photo. Examples of identification which can be used as supporting identity documents include:[3]

  • military ID 
  • driver’s license that is issued by a province or territory or the equivalent abroad 
  • Certificate of Indian Status 
  • Canadian passport 
  • foreign passport that meets the requirements 
  • non-driver’s license issued by a province or territory 
  • ID card issued by the federal, provincial or territorial government 
  • employee identification issued by the federal, provincial or territorial government 

SIN CARD[4]
A supporting document is a legal document indicating the name you currently use. It is required if the name on your primary document is different. 

In addition to your primary document, you will need to provide an original of one of the following: 

  • certificate of marriage, record of solemnization of marriage or marriage statement (or a similarly titled document, depending on the issuing authority) to support your family name after marriage. (Note: This does not apply to Quebec residents married after April 1, 1981) 
  • divorce decree, certificate of divorce or decree absolute issued in accordance with a Canadian court for the dissolution of a marriage to support the family name requested on the SIN record when it does not appear on the primary document. 
  • legal change of name certificate or court order document issued in accordance with provincial name change legislation. 
  • adoption order certified by a Canadian court (applies to adoptions in Canada only). 
  • notarial certificate, also called notarial adoption certificate, issued by the country of origin of a child adopted abroad and used by the adoptive parents to have the SIN issued in the adopted child’s Canadian name. 
  • Request to Amend Record of Landing issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and used to amend a Record of Landing or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence document. 

Please note that if any of your documents are not in French or English, you must also submit: 

  • an English or French translation of the document; and 
  • an attestation or affidavit written and signed by the translator. 

If the document has been translated by a certified translator, you must submit an attestation. The attestation is a document stating that the translation is a true and accurate version of the original text. (A certified translator is a member of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters.) 

If the document has been translated by a translator who is not certified, you must submit an affidavit. The affidavit is a document stating that the translation is a true and accurate version of the original text. The translator must sign the affidavit before a commissioner for oaths or a commissioner for taking affidavits. (A commissioner for oaths or a commissioner for taking affidavits is appointed by a province or territory.) 

Can I apply for ‘x’ gender/sex marker on my passport, or can I leave my sex marker blank?

In order to comply with international aviation statutes (the International Civil Aviation Organization), you are required to have a sex designation, so your passport cannot have a blank sex marker. 

To request an observation on your passport you will need to fill out form PPT 643, Request A Gender or Sex Identifier. 

Note about travelling with an ‘x” passport: 

The Government of Canada cannot guarantee entry or transit by border control authorities of another country. Choose the sex that you feel would make it easier to travel. 

It is your responsibility to check with the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of all the countries that you intend to visit or transit through to enquire about entry requirements that may affect bearers of a travel document with an “X” designation. Additional information is available at Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit Canadians abroad. 

When booking your travel or applying for immigration documents such as visas, use the same sex as printed on the bio page (page 2) of your travel document. This will help avoid delays and problems at borders entries and airline check-ins.[5]

Note on fees and payment:[6]

If you are applying from within Canada, and the passport is to be delivered to you in Canada: 

  • a passport valid for 5 (five) years will cost $120 CAD 
  • a passport valid for 10 (ten) years will cost $160 CAD 

If you are applying from the United States, or the passport needs to be delivered to you in the United States: 

  • a passport valid for 5 (five) years will cost $190 CAD 
  • a passport valid for 10 (ten) years will cost $260 CAD 

If you are submitting your passport application in person, you can pay your fee by: 

  • debit card (Interac), Visa Debit, Virtual Visa Debit or other prepaid cards (Via, Mastercard, American Express) 
  • credit card and prepaid card (embossed only)
  • certified cheque or money order (from a post office or from the bank) in the exact amount, payable to the Receiver General of Canada

Prepaid Debit cards are not an acceptable method of payment. 

If you are submitting your passport application by mail, you can pay your fee by: 

  • credit card and prepaid card (embossed only). There is a section of the form for you to provide your credit card information. 
  • certified cheque or money order (from a post office for from the bank) in the exact amount, payable to the Receiver General of Canada 

How do I send the documents?

You can apply for a new passport in person at a ServiceCanada centre or by mail. 

If you are applying by mail: 

The government recommends you to use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce the delivery time of your application and help protect your documents. 

References

[1]Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. “Changing the name on your passport or travel document.” Government of Canada. Last updated 14 April 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/change-name.html 

[2]Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. “Choose or update the gender identifier on your passport or travel document.” Government of Canada. Last updated 14 April 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/change-sex.html 

[3]Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. “Documents to support your identity – New adult passport applications.” Government of Canada. Last updated 2 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/new-adult-passport/identity-documents.html 

[4]Employment and Social Development Canada. “Social Insurance Number – Overview.” Government of Canada. Last updated 2 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/before-applying.html 

[5]Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. “Change the sex on your passport or travel document.” 

[6] PPTC 153 – Adult General Passport Application, p. 4