Obtaining Canadian passport in an Emergency?

Question

I have a really urgent matter I have to take care of but I don't have a passport. I need it right away.

Does anyone know how I can get one?

I've been on the website and it said $70 for next working day passport for emergency and compassionate reasons.

How do they decide what is a compassionate reason?

Thanks so much!!

Answer 1

You have to go with your application completely filled out and show up in person at the passport office

Answer 2

I would assume that a "compassionate reason" would be something like urgently needing to see a dying relative, birth of a baby or some other family "emergency" that simply cannot wait and is for a compassionate reason.

Needing a passport the next day because you want to go see a soccer match in Spain would, obviously, not fall into the "compassionate reason" category. In other words, as long as you have a good reason they'll probably expedite the paperwork for you.

Answer 3

If you really must go urgently, then go first to the Immigration office personally.

You need a passport application, which you can complete online, and the online work will facilitate the process as well.

You need a guarantor, which is someone who has known you for at least two years. The government specifies what type of person may be a guarantor, such as doctor, lawyer, police officer, professional engineer etc. They are restrictive on this, so the person you want to have sign for you MUST have the qualifications they specify.

You need to have two photographs taken by a professional photographer. This is unavoidable as they want you to pose and NOT smile, and the photo is printed on a stock in the size and format demanded by the Government. It has a place for your guarantor to sign.

Complete the online application, in two copies, then print it and have your guarantor sign take the printed copies, AND the photos, then put everything into an envelope.

You still need the original of your birth certificate and another piece of identification, such as passport, even if it expired, although there is a time limit of one year if it has expired.

Take everything to the passport office. Introduce yourself at reception and state clearly that you have a very urgent need to travel abroad.

They should assist you from there.

Answer 4

"Urgent matters" are assessed on a case by case basis. Most times things like funerals, family emergencies etc are what they see as urgent. (not that someone saw a really good deal on a trip)

If you are Canadian, contact your local Member of Parliament. They can help you get a passport sooner than normal oprocessing times. The site also says to go in person to a Passport office. (not a receiving office, which is different from a Passport office)

Start by getting all your needed info together so when you apply, it is all ready and nothing is missing. Call your MP to see if they want you to apply first or to do it all through them. (usually they want you to apply first and get a tracking number that they can quote when they call Passport Canada to try and assist you)

It will cost you the extra the site quotes as well. The $70 you mentioned is on top of the normal passport fees.

Answer 5

They use to list some examples, but I don't see them anymore.

It was, to attend a funeral, to see a sick or dying relative, or you or someone you had care over had an appointment with a foreign specialist. That isn't the exclusive list, but gives an idea.

Don't forget that isn't $70, it's $70 added on to the other fees. So it starts at $157.

Answer 6

I would think the death of a family member or something like that.