Maple News reports that Canada has expanded access to full-validity passports for adopted persons living abroad. Updated instructions published on April 24, 2026 by the immigration department enable adopted individuals abroad who hold an electronic citizenship certificate (e-certificates) to apply for a full-validity Canadian passport from outside Canada.
Previously, applicants in this category had to obtain a limited-validity passport (LVP) to facilitate entry to Canada and then apply for a full-validity passport afterward.
Internationally adopted children who become Canadian citizens can now access Canadian passport services more directly. Under the new policy, an adopted person abroad with an e-certificate can bypass the LVP step and apply straight for a full-validity passport. Paper certificate holders 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; an e-certificate can be issued if the paper version has not yet been issued.
To obtain a full-validity passport for an adopted person abroad, applicants must submit a complete passport application with the correct forms and documents, which vary by location. For children under 16, the adoptive parent completes the form; for those 16 or older, the applicant completes the form themselves. Passports for under-16s are valid for five years.
From the United States upwards, the required forms differ by age: under 16, applicants can use PPTC 155 (Child passport application for Canadians applying in the USA) or PPTC 142 (Child application living in the USA); 16 and older, use PPTC 153 (Adult passport application for Canadians applying in the USA) or PPTC 140 (Adult application living in the USA). From outside Canada and the United States, under 16 use PPTC 042 (Child passport application for Canadians applying abroad) and 16 and older use PPTC 040 (Adult passport application for Canadians applying abroad).
After completing the applicable form, applicants submit it with the required documents specific to their situation and pay the applicable fee, which differs from the LVP. Passport fees for those mailed outside Canada (as updated in March 2026) are: child 0–15 years, $102.50; five-year adult passport (16+), $194.25; 10-year adult passport (16+), $266.25.
Most passport applications are processed within about 20 business days, not counting mailing time. If a passport isn’t processed within 30 business days, a full refund is automatically issued.
Note: If a country does not recognize dual citizenship, a facilitation visa may be placed in the adopted child’s foreign passport. If the applicant still wishes to obtain a Canadian passport, they may need to sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of holding another passport.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates to Canada’s passport and citizenship services for adopted persons and share guidance with readers as new information becomes available.