If you and your spouse-to-be are planning a destination wedding, you’ll need to make sure you both have passports. Applying for your first Canadian passport can be a tricky process. Take the following advice into account to ensure smooth sailing all the way to your beautiful destination.
Tips For Applying For A Canadian Passport
Have The Proper Proof Of Citizenship
Applying for a passport requires some sort of proof of citizenship, typically a birth certificate. Prior to 2011, Passport Canada accepted hospital-issued certificates, which are usually not official documents. Nowadays, you’ll be required to provide one of the following:
- A “birth certificate” issued by a territorial or provincial vital statistics agency.
- A “certificate of birth” issued by a territorial or provincial vital statistics agency.
- A “certificat de naissance” issued by a territorial or provincial vital statistics agency.
- A “certificate of citizenship” issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Be Aware Of Processing Times
Don’t forget to take into consideration how long it will take to process your passport application. Processing times vary depending on how you submit your application and which service you requested. Applications submitted in person at a passport office in Canada can expect a processing time of around 10 business days (this does not include the time it takes to mail).
Protect Yourself From Fraud
Be aware of organizations requesting fees for support and faster processing times for the passport application process. Processing times cannot be affected by any third party, and the only people authorized to collect passport processing fees work within Passport service locations. If you have any questions regarding your passport, you can contact the Passport Program for free.
We hope the above information proves helpful while you prepare for your big day abroad. For help planning your ceremony, please contact our wedding specialists. Our passion is destination weddings.
