Canada Passport – Identity Verification & Travel Document Overview (2025)
The Canadian Passport is an official travel and identity document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is used for international travel, identity verification, and KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures across financial and digital services.
Types of Canadian Passports
Canada issues multiple passport types, all of which follow ICAO international standards:
- Regular (Blue) – For Canadian citizens (5 or 10-year validity)
- Diplomatic (Maroon) – For diplomats and senior government officials
- Special (Green) – For Canadian government employees traveling on official business
- Temporary / Emergency – Issued under urgent circumstances
Key Features of the Canadian Passport
Since 2013, Canada has issued ePassports (biometric passports) featuring a chip embedded in the cover, containing the holder’s biometric data.
Information visible on the photo page (Page 2):
- Passport Number (9 alphanumeric characters)
- Full Name (Surname and Given Names)
- Nationality: Canadian
- Date of Birth
- Place of Birth (Province or City)
- Sex
- Date of Issue and Expiry
- Passport Type and Code (P < CAN)
- Holder’s photograph
- Signature of the holder
- MRZ (Machine Readable Zone at the bottom)
Other security features:
- Polycarbonate personal information page
- Biometric chip (NFC-readable)
- Holographic elements and watermarks
- Microprinting, UV features, and laser perforations
- Color-changing ink and security overlays
Validity
- Adults (16+): 5 or 10 years
- Children (<16): Valid for 5 years
- Cannot be extended once expired; renewal required
KYC & Identity Verification Use
The Canadian passport is widely accepted as a primary identity document for:
- Digital banks (Tangerine, EQ Bank, Simplii)
- Fintechs (Wealthsimple, Wise, Revolut)
- Cryptocurrency platforms (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken)
- International travel and immigration
- eCommerce, telecom, and insurance onboarding
To verify:
- Submit a high-quality scan or photo of the photo page (page 2)
- Ensure all text is readable, including MRZ zone
- Photo must match the person being verified
Additional requirements for certain platforms:
- Live selfie or video verification
- Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement)
- Secondary ID (e.g., driver’s license, health card)
Lost or Expired Canadian Passport
To replace a lost, stolen, or expired passport:
- Apply via Canada.ca – Passport Services
- Required:
- Proof of citizenship (e.g., birth certificate or citizenship certificate)
- Government-issued ID
- Passport photos (compliant with Canadian standards)
- Applicable fees (typically CAD $120–$160)
Processing times vary from 10 to 20 business days in Canada, and longer if applying from abroad.
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