What do I do if I cannot find a Guarantor for my Canadian Passport Application?
Now that pandemic travel restrictions have eased, it is finally possible to go on that Caribbean cruise or romantic vacation to Paris that you have been dreaming of. But before booking your dream vacation, you may need to apply for a passport for the first time. In Canada, applying for your first passport (or renewing a passport that expired 15 years ago or more) will require the signature of a guarantor who knows you personally and can vouch for the information on your Canadian application. The guarantor must be someone who holds a Canadian passport and has known you personally for at least two years. If you cannot find a suitable guarantor, it is possible to provide a document called a “Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor” to the passport office instead.
What is a Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor?
A Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor is a form on which you explain to the passport office why you are unable to provide a guarantor, and on which you also need to list personal references that the passport office can call. You must then take this form, along with your passport photos and two valid pieces of government issued photo identification to be signed in front of a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths. You will be asked to declare that the information in your form is true, which is similar to taking an oath in court. The Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths will also sign one of your passport photos and certify copies of your photo identification for you to provide to the passport officials.
How do I get the Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form?
This form is not available online. You need to either request it in person at a Passport Canada office or contact the Government of Canada Passport Program to have the form mailed to you. A link to the contact information is provided below.
How Can Red Seal Notary Help?
We have helpful Notaries who can notarize a Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor for you. Our drop-in Adelaide location is located a short walk from the Toronto passport office on Victoria Street, with no appointment necessary. You can have the document notarized there quickly prior to submitting it to the passport office. We also have other convenient Notary walk-in offices in Toronto, Ottawa, and Mississauga where you can have the document notarized. You can also contact our helpful call center to make appointments to notarize documents at locations across Canada.
Link to requirements for Canadian passport guarantors
Link to Canada Passport Program Contact Information
Thank you for sharing this informative post about getting a Canadian passport without a guarantor. It’s great to know that there is a solution for those who cannot find a suitable guarantor through the “Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor” form. Can you tell me more about the process of notarizing the form with Red Seal Notary?
Dear Greg,
Once you obtain the Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form from the passport office, you simply fill it out (but don’t sign it). Bring it to one of our locations along with your photo id, the other id you listed on the form, and your passport photos. The Notary will administer the declaration and then ask you to sign the form. The Notary will handle the rest.
I hope this is of some assistance.
What happens when you have
no photo ID?
Dear G. Slater,
Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.
Unless they happen to know you personally, a Notary or Commissioner of Oaths will require at least one photo ID to verify your identity before they will administer the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor (or any oath or declaration in fact). Assuming you do not know a Commissioner or Notary personally, you will have to obtain/replace your photo ID first. If you are having trouble replacing your photo ID, perhaps you can have friends/relatives/professionals attest to your identity to the relevant government authorities.
Good luck!
How much is the fee?
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.
The fee for the declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form is currently $75 plus applicable taxes. Our current fees are listed on our fees page.
I trust this is of assistance.