How to Renew US Passport in Canada?

There are plenty of U.S. Passport holders who have chosen to reside in Canada. Are you one of them? If you are, and your U.S. Passport is nearing its expiration, you are eligible for passport renewal by mail. However, suppose you live in Canada and you need your new U.S. passport for international travel within 4 weeks. In that case, it is best to make an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Canada.

Whether option A or B is suitable to your circumstance, in this article we have summarized the steps you have to take to renew your U.S. passport in Canada via mail or personal appointment. These tips and advice are based on the website of the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Canada.

Are You Qualified to Renew Passport by Mail?

Here are the qualifications you should reach to renew your U.S. passport by mail:

• Your passport is in your possession to submit with your application.
• It’s undamaged other normal wear and tears.
• You were issued a passport when you were at least 16 years old.
• Your passport was issued within the last 15 years.
• Your passport was issued in your current name or you can document your change of name.

If your answer to all these statements is “yes,” congratulations! You can renew your passport by mail.

How to Renew US Passport in Canada by Mail?

1. Fill out the DS-82 form Form Filler | PDF

• This Renewal Application form should be filled out. If you are using the Form Filler, know that the form may change based on the information you provide.
• Provide your Social Security number.

• If you don't have one, please submit a signed and dated statement. It should include the phrase, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I have never been issued a Social Security Number by the Social Security Administration.”

• You may renew your passport book, passport card, or both documents.
• If you need a larger passport with 52 pages without additional costs, check the “large book” box found on top of the DS-82 form.

• Complete all pages of the form. Sign and indicate the date.
  -Print your form single-sided.

  Pro Tip: Do not write your Canadian Social Insurance Number on the form in place of your U.S. Social Security number.

2. Submit your Most Recent U.S. Passport

• Your U.S. Passport book and/or card should meet all the requirements mentioned above.
• Your old passport book and/or card will be returned in a separate mailing from your new passport.

3. Include Name Change Documents (if applicable)

• If you are using a name different from the one indicated in your U.S. passport, provide a certified copy of the legal name change document such as:
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Court-ordered name change document

• This document will be returned to you on a separate mailing from your new passport.

  Pro Tip: If your Canadian divorce decree does not specify a spouse returning to their maiden name, please provide proof of your birth or maiden name, such as an original or certified copy of your birth certificate.

4. Attach a Photo

Include one (1) photo in your application.

Here are the requirements for the photo:

• Coloured and taken in the last six (6) months.
• Clear image, unfiltered.
• No selfies.
• Take off your eyeglasses.
• Use a plain white or off-white background.
• Size is 2x2 inches or 51x51 mm
• Do not wear a head covering

If you a hat or head covering for religious or medical purposes, submit a signed statement or a signed doctor’s statement verifying that your head covering is part of a traditional religious attire worn continuously in public or used daily for medical purposes.

• Your hat must not cover or cast a shadow on your face in the photo.
• Don’t wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices
• You can wear jewelry and keep your facial piercings if they do not hide your face. Permanent tattoos are acceptable.
• Don’t wear a uniform, clothing that resembles a uniform, or camouflage attire.
• Use the photo tool to crop your photo to the correct size.

5. Note the fees you need to pay.

Write your fees in a form of a personal check or money order. Here is the price list:

Note: These fees are for routine service. Expedited service costs an additional $60.

• Your checks and money orders should be payable to the “U.S. Department of State.”
• Print the full name and birthdate of the applicant in front of the check or money order.
• Do not send cash.
• At present, you cannot pay online for passport services.
• If you are applying for multiple renewals, you may check the Fee Calculator for your total bill.

Pro Tip: If you are renewing from Canada, your personal checks or money orders must draw on U.S. financial institutions based in the USA and payable in U.S. dollars.

Only U.S. checks and money orders with a 9-digit routing number are acceptable. There’s no need to include 1-2 days or express delivery fees with your payment.

6. Mail Your Completed Application

Include your most recent passport, name change document (if applicable), photo, and fees in your envelope.

• If you live in Canada, use Canada Post. Only Canada Post can deliver to the P.O. Box address listed in the DS-82 form.

Routine Service
Expedited Service | Please write “EXPEDITE” outside the mailing envelope (Note: Additional fee applies).

National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155

Pro Tip: You can send multiple renewal applications in one envelope. Remember to add the correct fees for multiple applications and pay for them using one check or money order.

7. Track your Application Status

• You may track your application status online.
• it may take two weeks from your application day until your application status turns to “In Process.” Within these two weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is scanned, then sent to the processing center.

How to Renew Your U.S. Passport in Canada via Appointment

1. Choose the nearest U.S. consulate to you

• U.S. Consulates in Canada are located in Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Quebec City.

  2. Prepare forms and supporting documents.

• Bring your completed DS-11 Form Filler | PDF or DS-82 form with you. Do not sign.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship. Examples:
• Original certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate issued with the impressed seal of the state you were born in.
• Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship -U.S. Passport issued over 15 years ago.
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (if you were born outside USA to U.S. citizen parent/s and were registered abroad as a U.S. citizen).
• Identification. Examples:
• Driver’s license
• Student ID
• Canadian Passport
• Proof of Name Change (if applicable). Examples: Marriage certificate, Certificate of Name Change, Adoption Decree

Pro Tip: If you are renewing a U.S. passport for your child below 16 years of age, follow these guidelines

3. Submit one photo that follows the standards mentioned above.

4. Prepare your payment for the fees.

• Refer to this [Fees Chart](Fees Chart) for the amount you need to pay based on your application.
• You can exact cash in USD or the equivalent in CAD. You may pay in CAD cash ONLY if you apply in person at the Embassy or a U.S. consulate.
• Generate a bank or money order in USD only, payable to “U.S. Consulate General” or “U.S. Embassy.”
• Personal checks or debit cards are not accepted.

Pro Tip:Email [email protected] if you have questions regarding payment and calculating the exact cash for your appointment.

5. Schedule your Passport Appointment

• The applicant's personal appearance is required. If you are applying for a child’s passport renewal, they should be with you too during the appointment.

6. Check the status of your Application

• Access the Online Passport Status System
• Your surname, birth date, and last four (4) digits of your Social Security number will be required.

We hope that these tips and processes aid you in your U.S. Passport renewal if you are in Canada. If you need to convert your CAD to USD to pay for your passport renewal fees, experience RemitBee’s sting-free currency exchange service.. We convert your currency online with the best rate in the market for free! Sign up now and start exchanging currencies and sending money with RemitBee.