Applying for a Canadian passport requires applicants to provide two references who can help confirm their identity. However, Canada’s passport authority has restrictions on who can fill this role, particularly when the proposed references are relatives or people already involved in the application.
The Canadian government has outlined five categories of people who cannot serve as references for applicants seeking a passport.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), applicants must provide two references who meet specific age and relationship requirements.
The references must be at least 18 years old and must have known the applicant personally for at least two years. They must also agree to the use of their names and contact information in the application.
5 categories of people who cannot be Canadian passport references
The Canadian government identifies the following categories as ineligible to serve as references:
1. The applicant’s guarantor
A person already serving as the applicant’s guarantor cannot also act as a reference on the same passport application.
The two roles have different responsibilities, so applicants must choose separate people to fill them.
2. Members of the applicant’s immediate family
People belonging to the applicant’s immediate family cannot serve as references.
This restriction covers parents, step-parents, foster parents, siblings and other specified close family relationships.
3. Spouses and common-law partners
An applicant cannot nominate their current spouse or common-law partner as a reference.
Canada considers two people common-law partners when they have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least one year without being legally married.
However, a boyfriend or girlfriend who does not meet the common-law definition can serve as a reference. A former spouse or partner whose relationship has ended can also qualify.
4. Children and grandchildren
Biological, adopted, foster and stepchildren cannot serve as references for their parents.
The restriction also covers grandchildren and the spouses or common-law partners of these family members.
5. Other extended family members
Other relatives may also be disqualified, depending on their relationship with the applicant and where they live.
Canada’s rules cover relatives connected through blood, marriage, common-law partnership, adoption or guardianship who live at the same address as the applicant.
For example, an aunt, uncle or cousin living in the applicant’s household cannot serve as a reference.
What other conditions must Canadian passport references meet?
Apart from avoiding the restricted categories, applicants must ensure their references satisfy the government’s basic requirements.
Each reference must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have known the applicant for at least two years.
- Agree to provide their name and contact information.
- Be available if passport officials need to contact them.
The references do not have to be Canadian citizens or live in Canada. This means applicants can nominate eligible people outside the country.
However, applicants should provide accurate contact details to prevent unnecessary delays.
Canada warns applicants about possible passport processing delays
The government says it may request additional references at any stage of the application process.
It also advises applicants to choose people who are available when officials need to reach them.
References travelling outside the country or living in different time zones may be harder to contact. This could slow down the verification process and delay the application.
Applicants should therefore confirm that their chosen references are willing and available to respond to official enquiries.
The full requirements are available on the Canadian government’s official passport references and guarantors page.