Passport Power: Proving Citizenship For Canada Travel

If you're planning to travel to Canada, it's important to know what documents you need to carry and which ones are accepted as valid proof of identification and citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only universally accepted identification document and proof of the right to return to Canada. However, there are other documents that can be used to prove Canadian citizenship when applying for a passport or entering the country.

Canadian passports are the only universally accepted identification document

When travelling abroad, Canadian citizens must carry a valid Canadian passport as proof of identification and citizenship. The Canadian passport is the only universally accepted identification document and proves that the holder has the right to return to Canada. While other documents can be used to prove Canadian citizenship, they are not considered reliable or universally accepted for international travel.

The Canadian government recommends that citizens travel with a valid Canadian passport. International transportation companies, such as airlines, often require travellers to present a passport before boarding. Canadian citizens who present other documents, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or a NEXUS card, may face delays or may not be allowed to board their flight.

To apply for a Canadian passport, individuals must provide proof of Canadian citizenship. This can include a Canadian citizenship certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a certificate of registration of birth abroad, or a certificate of retention of Canadian citizenship. The document must be the original, as photocopies are not accepted, even if they are signed.

It is important to note that a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document and cannot be used as a replacement for a passport. When travelling abroad or returning to Canada, individuals must carry a valid passport or other accepted travel document.

In summary, while there are other documents that can prove Canadian citizenship, the Canadian passport is the only universally accepted identification document for international travel. Canadian citizens are advised to carry a valid passport when travelling to ensure smooth passage through border controls and to guarantee their right to return to Canada.

Other documents that denote identity and/or citizenship

A Canadian passport is the only universally accepted identification document and proof of citizenship for Canadians travelling abroad. However, there are other documents that can be used to denote identity and/or citizenship when entering Canada.

• Canadian emergency travel document
• Canadian temporary passport
• CANPASS authorisation, held by a Canadian citizen
• Commercial driver registration program card, held by a Canadian citizen
• FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), held by a Canadian citizen
• NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen
• Canadian permanent residence card
• Canadian citizenship card
• Certificate of Canadian citizenship (issued from 1954 to the present)
• Certificate of Canadian citizenship (large form issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977)
• Certificate of retention (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977)
• Certificate of naturalization (issued before January 1, 1947)
• Registration of birth abroad certificate (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, by Canadian citizenship authorities)
• Birth certificate (for individuals born in Canada)
• Enhanced driver's license
• Enhanced identification/photo card
• Health insurance card
• Vehicle registration
• Vehicle insurance certificate
• Canadian Forces identification
• Employment or student card with photo and signature
• Police identification
• Firearms acquisition certificate
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) card or Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) card

It is important to note that while these documents may denote identity and/or citizenship, they may not be accepted as universally as a Canadian passport for travel to Canada. It is recommended to carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the US.

Proving Canadian citizenship when applying for a new adult passport

When applying for a new adult passport, you must provide proof of Canadian citizenship. This can be done by submitting one of the following documents:

• A Canadian citizenship certificate
• A birth certificate from a Canadian province or territory (there are exceptions)
• A naturalization certificate
• A registration of birth abroad certificate (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977)
• A certificate of retention (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977)
• A certificate of naturalization (issued before January 1, 1947)

If you were born in Canada, you can submit either a long or short-form birth certificate from the province or territory where you were born. If you were born outside of Canada, you will need to submit a Canadian citizenship certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a certificate of registration of birth abroad, or a certificate of retention of Canadian citizenship.

It is important to note that you must provide the original proof of citizenship document. Photocopies, even if they are signed, are not accepted. Laminated proof of citizenship documents may not be accepted, unless they were laminated by the issuing provincial, territorial, or federal government agency.

In addition to proof of citizenship, you will also need to provide supporting documents for your identity. This can be done by submitting either the original or a photocopy of a valid document, such as a driver's license, health card, Certificate of Indian Status, or employee identification issued by the federal, provincial, or territorial government. If you submit a photocopy, it must be signed and dated by your guarantor or signing official.

Canadian citizenship certificates are not travel documents

A Canadian passport is the only universally accepted identification document for Canadians travelling abroad. It is also the only reliable and universally accepted travel document for Canadians travelling internationally.

Canadian citizens returning to Canada without a Canadian passport may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies. This is because a Canadian citizenship certificate is not a travel document. It is a valid proof of Canadian citizenship, but it does not prove your identity.

If you need to prove that you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a certificate of Canadian citizenship. You can obtain a certificate of Canadian citizenship by submitting an online application. If you are abroad, you can obtain information on the necessary procedures from the nearest Canadian government office.

If you are travelling abroad or returning to Canada, you must carry a valid passport or travel document. A border agent at an airport will not accept a citizenship certificate or card as a passport replacement.

The only exception to this rule is for children aged 15 and under who travel between the United States and Canada by land or sea. In the absence of a passport, they can use a Canadian citizenship card, an original or copy of their Canadian birth certificate, or an original Canadian citizenship certificate.

Permanent residents need a valid permanent resident card to return to Canada

Permanent residents of Canada must carry and present a valid permanent resident card, or PR card, when returning to Canada on a commercial carrier (flight, boat, train or bus). This also applies to permanent residents who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs. A PR card is one of the only documents that allow permanent residents to return to Canada by commercial carrier.

The PR card is an identification document and a travel document that shows that a person has permanent residency in Canada. It is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is valid for five years, although some may expire after one year. The card is the size of a credit card and contains the holder's photograph, name, an 8-digit ID number, sex, nationality, date of birth, signature and the card's date of expiration. The back of the card features an optical stripe with the holder's information, as well as additional personal details including immigration category, eye colour, height, country of birth and the date the holder became a permanent resident.

Permanent residents must ensure their PR card is still valid when returning to Canada from abroad and must apply for a new PR card before their current one expires. If a permanent resident does not have a valid PR card, they must apply for a single-use Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to be allowed to travel to Canada.

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