Reminder: Passport Guarantors Must Hold Valid Canadian Passport
On October 1, 2007, Passport Canada implemented a new Guarantor Policy in a continuing effort to improve accessibility to Canadian passport services. This new policy makes it easier for Canadians to find an eligible guarantor, as it allows most Canadian adult passport holders to act as a guarantor. Therefore, if you choose to sign a passport application as a guarantor, you will be signing as a passport holder. You are no longer signing because you are a member of a professional group.
Please note that an eligible guarantor must:
- Be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older;
- Hold a five-year Canadian passport that is valid or has been expired for no more than one year;
- Have been 16 years of age or older when he or she applied for his or her own passport;
- Have known the applicant personally for at least two years.
Any family member may act as guarantor, as well as any individual residing at the
applicant’s address provided he or she meets these specified requirements. As a guarantor, you will now need to provide your passport number, date of issue and expiry date of the travel document when signing passport applications. The passport number is not a personal identifier. It only serves to identify the passport booklet.
Remember, signing a guarantor declaration is a voluntary act of trust. If you feel that you do not know an individual well enough to sign his or her passport application as guarantor, you are under no obligation to do so. Applicants who are not able to secure a guarantor can sign a declaration in lieu of a guarantor.
For additional information, please consult Passport Canada's website at www.passportcanada.gc.ca or call 1-800-567-6868.