How to apply

Refugee travel document and certificate of identity services are now available

If you already applied and now need a travel document urgently, contact us.

Answer a few questions to find out how to apply. Keep in mind

Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity – adults (16 years of age or over)

1. Contact us for next steps

Fill out our web form.

  • Under Type of application/enquiry, select Certificate of Identity/Refugee Travel Document.
  • Include the date you need the travel document and the reason you need it.

After you fill out the form, we’ll contact you and give you information on the next steps.

  • While you wait for us to contact you, you can start getting your application ready.
  • The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity.

2. Complete the form

To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.

Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.

If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.

Instructions and tips

  • To save time, complete the form on your computer.
  • Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
  • Sign each page of the application.
  • If the term “mother’s surname” doesn’t apply to you
    • cross it out on the form and write “parent’s surname at birth”
    • fill in the field with the surname (last name) at birth of 1 parent,
      and
    • write your initials in the margin

3. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo

Here is a list of necessary documents:

  • Your proof of immigration status in Canada
  • A document to support your identity
    • It can be either
      • the original document or
      • a photocopy of it signed by your guarantor
  • Any valid passport or travel document issued in your name
  • 2 identical passport photos
    • On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
      • The photographer must write their name, the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken.
        • They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
        • Stick-on labels are not accepted.
      • Your guarantor must sign it and write, “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
  • Read the full photo requirements for more information.

All your documents must be in English or French. If a document is in another language, provide an official translation.

You may need extra documents if you’re

4. Find a guarantor and 2 references

You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign

You also need 2 references to include on your application.

Your references and guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months. Learn who’s eligible to act as a guarantor and as a reference.

We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.

Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity – children (under 16 years of age)

The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity. Once we receive your application, we decide

  • which type of travel document to give the child
  • how long it will be valid for

1. Contact us for next steps

Fill out our web form:

  • Under Type of application/enquiry, select Certificate of Identity/Refugee Travel Document.
  • Include the date you need the travel document and the reason you need it.

After you fill out the form, we’ll contact you and give you information on the next steps.

While you wait for us to contact you, you can start getting the child’s application ready.

2. Complete the form

To save time, complete the form on a computer.

Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.

Instructions and tips

  • To save time, complete the form on your computer.
  • Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.

3. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo

Here is a list of necessary documents:

  • the child’s proof of immigration status in Canada
  • any valid passport or travel document issued in the child’s name
  • 2 identical passport photos

On the back of 1 of the passport photos, the photographer must write all of the following:

  • their name
  • the complete address of their studio
  • the date the photo was taken

The photographer can

  • write this information by hand or
  • use a stamp

Stick-on labels are not accepted.

The guarantor must

  • sign the photo and
  • write “I certify this to be a true likeness of (the child’s name)”

Read the full photo requirements for more information.

All your documents must be in English or French. If a document is in another language, provide an official translation.

You may need extra documents if you’re

4. Find a guarantor

You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign

  • the child’s application
  • the back of 1 of the child’s passport photos

The guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months and must know of your child. Learn who’s eligible to act as a guarantor.

We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.

Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity – adults (16 years of age or over)

The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity.

1. Complete the form

To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.

Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.

If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.

Instructions and tips
  • To save time, complete the form on your computer.
  • Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
  • Sign each page of the application.
  • If the term “mother’s surname” doesn’t apply to you
    • cross it out on the form and write “parent’s surname at birth”
    • fill in the field with the surname (last name) at birth of 1 parent
      and
    • write your initials in the margin

2. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo

Include the following documents with your application form:

  • a photocopy of your proof of immigration status in Canada
  • a document to support your identity
    • It can be either
      • the original document or
      • a photocopy of it signed by your guarantor
  • any valid passport or travel document issued in your name
  • 2 identical passport photos
    • On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
      • the photographer must write the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken
        • They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
        • Stick-on labels are not accepted.
      • your guarantor must sign it and write “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name)”

Read the full photo requirements for more information.

All your documents must be in English or French. If a document is in another language, provide an official translation.

You may need extra documents if you’re

3. Find a guarantor and 2 references

You need a guarantor who meets the requirements for a travel document to sign

You also need 2 references to include on your application.

Your references and guarantor must have known you for at least 6 months. Learn who’s eligible to act as a guarantor and as a reference.

4. Pay your fees

Your fees and payment methods depend on which document you apply for.

Fees and how to pay them (opens in a new tab) 

5. Submit your application

You need to apply by mail. In person services are not available.

We recommend you use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce delivery time, protect your documents and track delivery.

Courier address

Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section – Crémazie 6th Floor (OSC)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1

Mailing address (non-courier)

OSC PPT-COI
PO Box 8783 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5G8

We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.

Apply for a travel document or certificate of identity – children (under 16 years of age)

The application form is the same for travel documents and certificates of identity. Once we receive your application, we decide

  • which type of travel document to give you
  • how long it will be valid for

1. Complete the form

To save time, complete the form on a computer. Sign each page of the application.

Someone else can help you complete the form, like a family member or a friend you trust. However, they must be 18 years of age or older.

If you can’t write and won’t be able to sign your document once you get it, include a medical letter explaining that you don’t write.

Instructions and tips
  • To save time, complete the form on your computer.
  • Read the instructions at the end of the form to make sure you complete it properly.
  • Sign each page of the application.
  • If the term “mother’s surname” doesn’t apply to you
    • cross it out on the form and write “parent’s surname at birth”
    • fill in the field with the surname (last name) at birth of 1 parent
      and
    • write your initials in the margin

2. Gather all necessary documents and get a passport photo

Include the following documents with your application form:

  • a photocopy of the child’s proof of immigration status in Canada
  • 2 identical passport photos
    • On the back of 1 of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
      • the photographer must write the complete address of their studio and the date the photo was taken
        • They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
        • Stick-on labels are not accepted.
      • your guarantor must sign it and write “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your child’s name)”
  • any valid passport or travel document in the child’s name
  • proof of parentage or proof of legal guardianship (if applicable)
  • all documents that refer to the custody of, mobility of, or access to the child

All documents must be sent in either English or French. If a document is in another language, you must provide an official translation.

You may need extra documents if

3. Find a guarantor

You’ll need to find a guarantor to sign

  • the child’s application
  • the back of 1 of the photos

Your guarantor must

  • be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen
  • live in Canada
  • have known you (the child’s parent or legal guardian) personally for at least 6 months and know of the child
  • be an occupation-based guarantor who is
    • registered or licensed and
    • currently works in their field

See the list of eligible occupations, as well as the full requirements for a travel document guarantor.

4. Pay your fees

Your fees and payment methods depend on which document you apply for.

Fees and how to pay them (opens in a new tab) 

5. Submit your application

You need to apply by mail. In person services are not available.

We recommend you use a certified courier or traceable mail service to reduce delivery time, protect your documents and track delivery.

Courier address

Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section – Crémazie 6th Floor (OSC)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1

Mailing address (non-courier)

OSC PPT-COI
PO Box 8783 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5G8

We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.

You need to be in Canada to apply for a travel document

Travel document services aren’t available outside of Canada.

If you have an emergency, contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad.

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