How to apply
Refugee travel document and certificate of identity services are now available
If you already applied and now need a travel document urgently, contact us.
Answer a few questions to find out how to apply. Keep in mind
- you need to be in Canada to get service
- you need to submit your application by mail
- In person services are not available.
Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity: Adults (30 business days or less)
1. Contact us for next steps
Fill out our web form (opens in a new tab) .
Tell us it’s about a Certificate of Identity/Refugee Travel Document.
Include your travel date and the reason you need the travel document.
After you fill out the form, we’ll contact you and give you information on the next steps.
- While you wait for us to contact you, you can start getting your application ready.
- The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity.
2. Complete the form
To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.
Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.
If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.
Get help with the form or alternate formats
- If you can’t open the form after saving it to your computer and using Adobe Reader
- in Canada or the US: contact us online or call us
- outside Canada and the US: contact the closest Canadian government office abroad
- Contact us for Braille instructions or large-print forms.
3. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo
Include the following documents with your application:
- a photocopy of your proof of immigration status in Canada
- a document to support your identity(opens in a new tab)
- It can be either
- the original document or
- a photocopy signed by your guarantor
- It can be either
- any valid passport or travel document issued in your name
- We’ll keep it, but you can ask to get your old travel document back. We’ll destroy it if you haven’t asked for it back 2 years after it expires.
- 2 identical passport photos
- On the back of 1 of the photos, you must have all of the following:
- The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- Your guarantor(opens in a new tab) must sign it and write, “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
- The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
- Read the full photo requirements(opens in a new tab) for more information.
- On the back of 1 of the photos, you must have all of the following:
All your documents must be in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation(opens in a new tab) .
You may need extra documents if you’re
- changing your name
- replacing a lost, stolen or damaged travel document
- changing the sex on your travel document
4. Find a guarantor and 2 references
You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign
- your application
- the back of 1 of your passport photos
- the front and back of all photocopies of your supporting identity documents (ID)
You also need 2 references to include on your application.
Your references and guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months. Learn who’s eligible to act as a guarantor and as a reference.
Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity for a child (under 16 years of age) (30 business days or less)
The application form is the same for refugee travel documents and certificates of identity. Once we receive your application, we decide
- which type of travel document to give the child
- how long it will be valid for
1. Contact us for next steps
Fill out our web form (opens in a new tab) .
Tell us it’s about a Certificate of Identity/Refugee Travel Document.
Include your travel date and the reason you need the travel document.
After you fill out the form, we’ll contact you and give you information on the next steps.
- While you wait for us to contact you, you can start getting your application ready.
- The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity.
2. Complete the form
To save time, complete the form on a computer. All parents or legal guardians should sign the application form.
Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.
Get help with the form or alternate formats
- If you can’t open the form after saving it to your computer and using Adobe Reader
- in Canada or the US: contact us online or call us
- outside Canada and the US: contact the closest Canadian government office abroad
- Contact us for Braille instructions or large-print forms.
3. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo
Include the following documents with the application:
- a photocopy of the child’s proof of immigration status in Canada
- proof of parentage (opens in a new tab) or proof of legal guardianship (if applicable)
- all documents pertaining to the child that refer to custody, decision-making responsibilities, access, parenting time and/or mobility (including a divorce judgment or order)
- any valid passport or travel document issued in the child’s name
- We’ll keep it, but you can ask to get your old travel document back. We’ll destroy it if you haven’t asked for it back 2 years after it expires.
- 2 identical passport photos
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- The photographer must write the name and complete address of the studio and the date the photo
was taken.
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- Your guarantor (opens in a new tab) must sign it and write, “I certify this to be a true likeness of (the child’s name).”
- Read the full photo requirements (opens in a new tab) for more information.
- The photographer must write the name and complete address of the studio and the date the photo
was taken.
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
You need to provide extra documents if you’re
- replacing a lost, stolen or damaged travel document (opens in a new tab)
- changing the child’s name
- This may include a legal name change certificate, a court order or an adoption order displaying the child’s old and new name.
- changing their gender identifier (opens in a new tab)
All your documents must be in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation(opens in a new tab) .
4. Find a guarantor
You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign
- the child’s application
- the back of 1 of the child’s passport photos
The guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months and must know of your child.
Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity: Adults (31 business days or more)
The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity.
1. Complete the form
To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.
Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.
If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.
Get help with the form or alternate formats
- If you can’t open the form after saving it to your computer and using Adobe Reader
- in Canada or the US: contact us online or call us
- outside Canada and the US: contact the closest Canadian government office abroad
- Contact us for Braille instructions or large-print forms.
2. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo
Include the following documents with your application:
- a photocopy of your proof of immigration status in Canada
- a document to support your identity(opens in a new tab)
- It can be either
- the original document or
- a photocopy signed by your guarantor
- It can be either
- any valid passport or travel document issued in your name
- We’ll keep it, but you can ask to get your old travel document back. We’ll destroy it if you haven’t asked for it back 2 years after it expires.
- 2 identical passport photos
- On the back of 1 of the photos, you must have all of the following:
- The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- Your guarantor(opens in a new tab) must sign it and write, “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
- The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
- Read the full photo requirements(opens in a new tab) for more information.
- On the back of 1 of the photos, you must have all of the following:
All your documents must be in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation(opens in a new tab) .
You may need extra documents if you’re
- changing your name
- replacing a lost, stolen or damaged travel document
- changing the sex on your travel document
3. Find a guarantor and 2 references
You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign
- your application
- the back of 1 of your passport photos
- the front and back of all photocopies of your supporting identity documents (ID)
You also need 2 references to include on your application.
Your references and guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months. Learn who’s eligible to act as a guarantor and as a reference.
4. Pay your fees
Your fees and payment methods depend on which document you apply for.
5. Submit your application
You need to apply by mail. In person services are not available.
We recommend you use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce delivery time, protect your documents and track delivery.
Courier address
Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section – Crémazie 6th Floor (OSC)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1
Mailing address (non-courier)
OSC PPT-COI
PO Box 8783 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5G8
Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity for a child (under 16 years of age) (31 business days or more)
The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity. Once we receive your application, we decide
- which type of travel document to give you
- how long it will be valid for
1. Complete the form
To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.
Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.
If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.
Get help with the form or alternate formats
- If you can’t open the form after saving it to your computer and using Adobe Reader
- in Canada or the US: contact us online or call us
- outside Canada and the US: contact the closest Canadian government office abroad
- Contact us for Braille instructions or large-print forms.
2. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo
Include the following documents with the application:
- a photocopy of the child’s proof of immigration status in Canada
- proof of parentage (opens in a new tab) or proof of legal guardianship (if applicable)
- all documents pertaining to the child that refer to custody, decision-making responsibilities, access, parenting time and/or mobility (including a divorce judgment or order)
- any valid passport or travel document issued in the child’s name
- We’ll keep it, but you can ask to get your old travel document back. We’ll destroy it if you haven’t asked for it back 2 years after it expires.
- 2 identical passport photos
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- The photographer must write the name and complete address of the studio and the date the photo
was taken.
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- Your guarantor (opens in a new tab) must sign it and write, “I certify this to be a true likeness of (the child’s name).”
- Read the full photo requirements (opens in a new tab) for more information.
- The photographer must write the name and complete address of the studio and the date the photo
was taken.
- On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
You need to provide extra documents if you’re
- replacing a lost, stolen or damaged travel document (opens in a new tab)
- changing the child’s name
- This may include a legal name change certificate, a court order or an adoption order displaying the child’s old and new name.
- changing their gender identifier (opens in a new tab)
All your documents must be in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation(opens in a new tab) .
3. Find a guarantor
You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign
- the child’s application
- the back of 1 of the child’s passport photos
The guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months and must know of your child.
4. Pay your fees
Your fees and payment methods depend on which document you apply for.
5. Submit your application
You need to apply by mail. In person services are not available.
We recommend you use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce delivery time, protect your documents and track delivery.
Courier address
Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section – Crémazie 6th Floor (OSC)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1
Mailing address (non-courier)
OSC PPT-COI
PO Box 8783 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5G8
You need to be in Canada to apply for a travel document
Travel document services aren’t available outside of Canada.
If you have an emergency, contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad.
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