Canadian adopted persons can now apply for full-validity passports from abroad.

They can apply from abroad using their electronic citizenship certificates (e-certificates), in accordance with updated instructions to officers published on April 24, 2026 on the immigration department’s website.

Prior to this change, applicants in such situations were required first to apply for limited validity passports (LVPs) to facilitate their initial entry into Canada, after which they would apply for full validity passports.

Internationally adopted children who are granted Canadian citizenship may access Canadian passport services.

How to get a full validity passport for an adopted person residing abroad

Adopted persons abroad who are in possession of a citizenship e-certificate can bypass the application process for an LVP and pursue a full validity passport instead. Paper certificate holders, on the other hand, generally must obtain an LVP.

If an applicant initially chose a paper certificate but would prefer an e-certificate, they should contact the processing office, and one will be provided if the paper version has not already been issued.

To receive a full validity passport for an adopted person abroad, a complete passport application must be submitted, including the correct forms and documents.

The form that must be filled out will differ based on where the adoptive parent or adopted child is applying from.

For children under the age of 16, the adoptive parent must complete the form.

In contrast, children 16 years of age or older are must fill out the form themselves.

Passports issued to children under 16 years of age are valid for a maximum of five years.

From the US

For adopted children under 16 years of age, one of the following forms must be completed (situation dependent):

• Child passport application for Canadians applying in the USA (PPTC 155); or
• Child application (living in the USA) (PPTC 142).

For adopted children 16 years of age or older, one of the following forms must be completed (situation dependent):

• Adult passport application for Canadians applying in the USA (PPTC 153); or
• Adult application (living in the USA) (PPTC 140).

From outside Canada and the US

For adopted children under 16 years of age, the following form should be completed.