Replacing a Lost or Stolen Canadian Passport

Whether you lose your Canadian passport or if it is stolen, dont panic. Its not an ideal situation, but there are steps you can take to replace your passport, and you may able to get a replacement passport for a limited time. The first thing to do when you discover your passport is missing is to contact local police. Next, youll want to get in touch with the Canadian government. If youre within Canada, call 1-800-567-6868 to report the circumstances of the loss or theft to the Canadian Passport Office. If youre traveling outside of Canada, find the nearest Government of Canada office,  either an embassy or a consulate.   Police or other law enforcement officers will conduct an investigation, which is especially important if youre reporting your passport stolen. It may be a good idea to contact your credit card companies and bank, even if your passport is the only thing missing. Theres the potential for identity thieves to do a lot of damage with a stolen passport, so keep an eye on your financial information until its located, or until you receive a new one. Once the investigation is completed, if authorized,  you can then apply for a replacement passport which may be valid for a limited time until you have to apply for a new passport.   Submit a completed application form,  photos,  fee,  proof of citizenship, and a Statutory Declaration Concerning a Lost, Stolen, Inaccessible or Destroyed Canadian Passport or Travel Document. Canadas Passport Rules Canada shrunk the size of its passports from 48 pages to 36 pages in 2013 (to the consternation of frequent travelers). However, it extended the expiration date, making passports valid for 10 years. Its also important to know that Canada is one of the few countries that dont allow citizens to hold a secondary passport (unless he or she can claim dual citizenship in Canada and another country). What If My Canadian Passport Is Damaged? This is another circumstance when youll need a new Canadian passport. If your passport has water damage, is torn on more than one page, looks like its been altered, or the identity of the passport holder is impaired or illegible, you may be denied by an airline or at a point of entry. Canadian rules dont allow you to get a replacement for a damaged passport; youll need to apply for a new one. What If I Find My Lost Passport? If you find your lost passport, report it immediately to the local police and the passport office since you cant hold more than one passport at a time. Contact the passport office for specific exceptions, as they vary on a case-by-case basis. Its worth noting that Canadians who have had multiple passports damaged or reported lost or stolen may face restrictions when applying for a new passport.