Canadian Passport Process for Children is changing October 1, 2012

All children and babies who travel need their own passport, and effective October 01, 2012 all applications for a child's Canadian passport will need to be accompanied by a detailed proof of parentage document. The goal is to standardize applications for Canadian families.

As of October 01, 2012 a passport application for a child under 16 must include one of the following proof of parentage documents (which demonstrates the child-parent relationship):

* A detailed birth certificate issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial vital statistics agency that indicates the name of the parent(s)

* A court-issued adoption order indicating the name of the adoptive parent(s), or

* A foreign birth certificate that indicates the name of the parent(s) (documents in a language other than English or French must be translated into English or French).

There is an exception: A proof of parentage document is not required with the passport application only if a Canadian passport has previously been issued to the child and it is the same parent(s)/legal guardian(s) who applied for the previous passport participating in the new application process.

These new requirements are intended to further enhance the security of children's passports.

The child's most recent passport must be submitted when using the exception (you must submit the passport if it's still valid).

Passport Canada recommends that you contact the embassy or consulate of all countries the child will be visiting to inquire about entry requirements.