Renewing Your Canadian Passport in London

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Renewing your Canadian passport in the UK

Renewing your Canadian passport in London

Renewing your Canadian passport while living in London is usually a straightforward process, but it is important to get the forms, photos, references and payment right before submitting your application. This guide explains the steps for Canadian passport renewal in the UK, including what documents you need, how much it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply through the High Commission of Canada in London.

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A practical guide for Canadians in the UK

If you are a Canadian citizen living in London or elsewhere in the UK, you can renew your Canadian passport through the High Commission of Canada in London. The process is fairly straightforward, but it is worth planning ahead. Passports are printed in Canada, and the London office states that processing takes around 20 working days, about 4 weeks, from receipt of a complete application, not including holidays or postal delivery time, which may add 1 to 2 weeks.

You should not book or finalise travel until your new passport has arrived.

Who can renew a Canadian passport?

You can renew your Canadian passport from the UK if your most recent passport:

was an adult passport issued when you were at least 16 years old
was issued within 15 years of the date you apply
was valid for 5 or 10 years
has the same name, date of birth and place of birth that you want on your new passport
has the same gender identifier that you want on your new passport

If these conditions do not apply, you will usually need to apply for a new passport rather than a renewal. Child passports cannot be renewed; a new child passport application is required each time.

How long does it take?

Typical timeline

Processing by passport servicesAround 20 working days / 4 weeks

Return by registered mailAllow an extra 1–2 weeks

In practical terms, it is sensible to allow 5 to 6 weeks from the point you submit a complete application, and longer during busy travel periods or if anything is missing.

Current passport renewal costs

Government of Canada passport fees increased on 31 March 2026.

The current fees for Canadians applying from outside Canada and the

United States are:

Passport typeFee in CADApprox. GBP

10-year adult passport, age 16+ CAD $266.25 about £140

5-year adult passport, age 16+ CAD $194.25 about £102

5-year child passport, age 0–15 CAD $102.50 about £54

Extra fee for replacing a valid lost or stolen passport CAD $45.00 about £24

Approximate GBP amounts will move with exchange rates and may vary depending on your card provider.

What you need before applying

For a straightforward adult renewal, you will normally need:

the completed adult abroad passport renewal form
your most recent Canadian passport
two Canadian-compliant passport photos
two references
proof of online payment
any additional form required if your passport was lost, stolen or damaged

For renewals, you do not need a guarantor, proof of Canadian citizenship or supporting identification, provided you meet the renewal criteria.

Passport photo rules

Your photos must meet Canadian passport photo requirements. This is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected, so do not assume a standard UK passport photo will be accepted.

On the back of one photo, the photographer must write or stamp:

the studio or company name
the complete address
the date the photos were taken

You do not need a guarantor to sign the photo for a passport renewal. The Government of Canada recommends printing the Canadian passport photo specifications and taking them to the photographer.

Choosing your references

You need two references. They must:

be 18 or older
have known you for at least 2 years
agree to you using their name and contact details
be available in case passport officials contact them

Your references do not need to live in Canada or the UK, and they do not need to be Canadian citizens. However, they cannot be your spouse, common-law partner, immediate family member or certain extended family members.

Choose people who are easy to reach. If your references are travelling or in a very different time zone, it may delay the application

Step-by-step: renewing your Canadian passport in London

1. Check that you are eligible to renew

Before starting, check your most recent passport. If it was issued within the last 15 years, was an adult 5-year or 10-year passport, and your key personal details are staying the same, you should usually be able to renew.

2. Download and complete the adult abroad renewal form

Use the Government of Canada adult abroad passport renewal form. Fill it out on a computer rather than a phone or tablet, as the form may not work properly on mobile devices. You should sign each page of the application.

3. Get your passport photos taken

Use a photographer who can follow Canadian passport photo requirements. Ask them to stamp or write the required information on the back of one photo.

4. Confirm your two references

Speak to your references before listing them. Make sure their phone numbers and email addresses are correct and that they are willing to respond if contacted.

5. Pay the fee online

For passport services in London, you should pay online and include a copy of your payment receipt with the application. The High Commission in London states that it does not accept any kind of payment in person.

6. Send or drop off your application

You can send your application and online payment receipt by registered or traceable mail to:

High Commission of Canada
Attn: Consular - Passport Services
Canada House
Trafalgar Square
London
SW1Y 5BJ

You can also drop off your application in the Consular Services drop-box at the Cockspur Street entrance of Canada House, Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, except public holidays.

7. Wait for processing and return

Your passport and original documents will be returned by registered mail. You do not need to provide a return envelope or pay extra for the return mail service.

If your passport is lost, stolen or damaged

If your most recent passport was lost, stolen or damaged and it is still valid, you may need to submit the additional declaration form and pay the extra replacement fee.

For a valid lost or stolen passport, the extra fee is currently CAD $45, around £24.

If your passport has expired, the requirements may be simpler, but you should still check the official instructions before applying.

If you need to travel urgently

Urgent cases are considered individually. The High Commission states that having a flight ticket does not guarantee urgent treatment. If your situation is urgent, for example due to illness or a death in the family, email london.passport@international.gc.ca before submitting your application and explain the situation.

Common mistakes to avoid

using UK passport photos that do not meet Canadian requirements
forgetting to include the online payment receipt
listing references who are unavailable or hard to contact
applying as a renewal when you actually need a new passport application
forgetting to sign each page of the form
sending an incomplete application
booking travel before the new passport arrives

Incomplete applications can be rejected and returned without being processed.

Quick checklist

Before sending your application, check that you have:

completed and signed the correct adult abroad renewal form
included your current or most recent Canadian passport
included two Canadian-compliant passport photos
listed two eligible references
paid the correct fee online
printed and included the payment receipt
added any extra lost, stolen or damaged passport form if needed
used registered or traceable mail if posting

Useful note for dual citizens

Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada in most cases. If you live in the UK and travel back to Canada, keep an eye on your expiry date well before you book flights.

Disclaimer

This guide is for general information only and is not official Government of Canada advice. Passport rules, fees and processing times can change. Always check the official Government of Canada and High Commission of Canada in the UK guidance before applying.