I know you’re probably counting the days until you have your Canadian passport in hand. Honestly, that makes total sense. Simply knowing that you can travel to more than 180 countries without a visa makes it worthwhile.
However, before you start dreaming about suitcases and airport lines, there’s one crucial thing you should know: the process is not free. The Government of Canada charges a fee, which you must pay when submitting your passport application.
If you’re not sure how much a Canadian passport costs or how to pay the fee, don’t worry. I’ll explain everything clearly right here.
How much does a Canadian passport cost?
The first thing you should know is that the cost of a Canadian passport depends on two simple factors: your age and the length of validity you choose. These are the official prices set by the Government of Canada and published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
| Passport Type | Price |
|---|---|
| 5-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | $120 |
| 10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | $160 |
| Child passport (0 to 15 years of age) | $57 |
If you’re not sure how to apply or which steps to follow, check out our “How to Apply for Canadian Passport” blog. We explain the entire process in a simple, clear manner.
Extra fees that can increase the Canadian passport cost
Now, the prices above are the basic fees, but that doesn’t mean they’re the final amount you’ll pay. There are extra charges that can increase the total cost of your Canadian passport. For example, if you need your passport faster or request a special service, you’ll have to pay an additional fee.
Below is a table with the most common additional services and their prices. Remember, these costs are added to the basic passport fee.
| Additional service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard pickup (10-20 business days) | $20 |
| Express processing (2–9 business days) | $50 |
| Urgent service (ready the next business day) | $110 |
| Weekend or holiday service* | $335 |
| Replacement for a lost or stolen passport (administrative fee) | $45 |
| Certified true copy of one passport page (1 to 3 copies) | $45 |
| File transfer (to a different passport office in Canada) | $45 |
*Weekend or holiday service is available for emergencies only.
How to pay your Canadian passport fees
Now that you know how much a Canadian passport costs, but… how do you pay for it?
If you’re applying from within Canada, you have two options. You can pay in person or by mail. Unfortunately, online payment is not available when applying from inside Canada.
If you apply in person at a passport office or Service Canada location, you can pay using any of the following methods:
- Credit or prepaid card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express).
- Debit card
- Certified check or money order (postal or bank).
- Checks issued by Canadian government departments
All payments must be made in Canadian dollars for the exact amount. All checks must be made payable to “Receiver General for Canada.”
Please note that they do not accept cash or personal checks. If you show up with either of these, you will have to come back another day.
If you choose to send your application by mail, there are several ways to pay your Canadian passport fees.
You can pay using:
- Credit card: Complete the payment section of the application form with your Visa, MasterCard, or American Express details.
- Embossed prepaid cards: These must have embossed numbers or letters and must be from an accepted provider.
- Certified check or money order in Canadian dollars for the exact amount, made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.
Important: Once you send your application, you cannot change the payment method. Double-check everything before mailing it.
How to pay Canadian passport fees if you are outside of Canada
The process is slightly different if you are outside of Canada or the United States. You can pay passport fees at a Canadian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. But keep in mind that payment options vary by location, so it’s always a good idea to contact the office in advance to confirm which payment methods they accept.
In this case, you can also pay your Canadian passport fees online through the official Government of Canada website.
To do so, you will need:
- A PDF reader
- A printer
- A valid credit or debit card
- A working email address
After completing the payment, remember to print the receipt and include it with your passport application. Without the receipt, your application cannot be processed.
Keep in mind that the cost of a Canadian passport is higher when applying from outside Canada or the United States. Below is a summary of the official fees.
| Passport Type | Price |
|---|---|
| 5-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | $190 |
| 10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | $260 |
| Child passport (0 to 15 years of age) | $100 |
For adult passport applications, a $25 consular fee is also required. In some cases, you may need to pay for additional consular services.
Summing up…
Now that you know how much a Canadian passport costs and how to pay the fees. Before making the payment, consider key factors such as the passport’s validity period, processing times, and whether you truly need urgent service.
Generally, the cost of a Canadian passport is reasonable if you apply early. However, when time is tight, the price can increase quickly. That’s why planning is always the smartest move.
Remember to print the receipt and include it with your passport application. Without the receipt, your application cannot be processed.
If you have any questions about applying for a Canadian passport, citizenship or what comes next, leave them in the comments. We’re here to help.