Service standards for passport services
Service standards publicly state the level of performance that citizens can reasonably expect to encounter from the Passport program under normal circumstances.
Performance information
The Passport program service standards apply only to properly completed applications. They do not include time required for postal delivery, complex verifications and security checks, or status/citizenship verifications. The standards for all Passport program services were implemented in July 2013, unless otherwise stated.
Services for Canadians in Canada
The performance target for these applications is 90 percent of complete applications are processed within the published service standards.
| Service | Service standard | Results for 2017-2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Passport application in person at a Passport Canada-branded office | 10 business days | 99.71% |
| Passport application by mail | 20 business days | 99.67% |
| Passport application in person at a Receiving Agent | 20 business days | 99.51% |
Services for Canadians outside of Canada
The performance target for these applications is 90 percent of complete applications are processed within the published service standards.
| Service | Service standard | Results for 2017-2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Regular passport application at a Government of Canada office abroad | 20 business days | 85.58% |
| Temporary passport | 20 business days | 98.05% |
| Emergency travel document | 20 business days | 98.90% |
Services for non-Canadians in Canada
The performance target for these services is 90 percent of complete applications are processed within the published service standards.
| Service | Service standard | Results for 2017-2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of identity | 20 business days | 95.87% |
| Refugee travel document | 20 business days | 97.35% |
Expedited Services in Canada
The performance target for these services is 90 percent of complete applications are processed within the published service standards.
| Service | Service standard | Results for 2017-2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent service | By the end of the next business day | 99.53% |
| Express service | 2 to 9 business days | 99.94% |
| Pick-up service | 10 business days | 99.77% |
| Same day out of regular hours of service | Same day | 96.91% |
Administrative services
The performance target for these services is 90 percent of complete applications are processed within the published service standards.
| Service | Service standard | Results for 2017-2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Addition of a special stamp | Same as the processing time of the passport or travel document if the request is made with the travel document application; or 10 business days if the request is made after a passport or travel document has been issued. |
N/A |
| Certified true copy of a travel documentFootnote 1 | 10 business days | 98.48% |
| File transfers (between offices in Canada)Footnote 1 | 3 business days | 98.89% |
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For more information
- Government-Wide Forward Regulatory Plans
- The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management
- Federal Regulatory Management
- Treasury Board Policy on Service
- The Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians web sites.
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