Gozit

Asking for a friend... She's 16 and wants to apply for a Canadian passport as means of photo ID (she hasn't gone for a DL yet and wants to travel anyways so she's going to go for her passport) so she can go and do some things on her own. She has never held a passport or ever left the country. So since she's 16 can she just go and use the adult passport applications and apply for a new 10 year Canadian passport on her own without involvement from a parent/guardian? I am assuming that she has access to a birth certificate and her SIN. Cheers.

magnumpi

For Canadians 16 years of age or over, use form PPTC 153, Adult General Passport Application.


What's up with ya Goolgly tab Goz?

Gozit

You linked me the child app. :P

I know 16 y/o's use the adult form and can get a 10 year pp, but curious as to if at 16 you still need the parent to sign off on the application.

magnumpi

Sorry the link should have been the Adult one, I deleted it but u beat me to it.

plasticcanuck

Application for a Canadian Passport (16 years old and over)

Siouxie

She doesn't need parental consent but will need a guarantor and two references - and she will also need ID - does she have that?

Documents to support your identity – adult passport applications
Examples of identification documents that can be used:

Provincial or territorial (or equivalent abroad) driver's license
Provincial or territorial non-driver's license
Other federal, provincial or territorial identification card
Military identification
Certificate of Indian Status
Federal, provincial or territorial employee identification card
Canadian passport
Foreign passport that meets the requirements



Wouldn't it be easier (and cheaper) for her to apply for a non drivers ID for now?

https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card

SchnookoLoly

She probably should get the Photo Card anyway - if she needs a form of ID then travelling with your passport on you all the time is probably not the smartest option. The card would be way better for everyday ID purposes.

Gozit

Ah. Thanks... I thought you could just go in with a birth certificate and your photos and thats it? Didn't know you needed other ID, or two (!) references plus a guarantor?The photo card is a good idea too, but alot of places don't know what it is and insist on a DL or passport anyways, even though they should be accepting the photo card.

Yes, you're correct but she wants to be able to travel anyways so passport is a natural step I suppose. Its not for carrying around all the time its mainly for doing stuff like opening a bank account in her own name that her parents can't access, and other stuff that requires official ID. But it looks like anyways she will have to have a drivers license or a photo card before she can get a passport so thats good to know.

scrubbedexpat091

I take it this photo card must look completely different then a drivers license in ON?

Trying to figure out why people wouldn't know what one is.

In BC the drivers license and BC ID card look more or less identical, just ones says drivers license and the other says BC Identification Card and on the back says not valid for driving.

Gozit

People/organisations in Ontario are just ignorant. The photo card looks virtually identical to a driving license except it says "ON Photo card" instead of "Driving license" and its purple instead of sky blue. There's no reason for it not to be accepted but i've heard of people getting turned away at a bar when carded because the owner doesn't know what a photo card is. Came back with their passport and it was hunky dory.

Siouxie

If it's wanted/needed for entering a bar and purchasing alcohol, then it would make more sense for them to get an LCBO BYID card BYID Card

Gozit

That seems interesting. But still rather odd that an official form of government ID (the photo card) isn't being accepted. It seems rather redundant to have to apply for something like that...

Oh well, for my friend it seems she'll have to get in gear and get her driving license as photo ID for her passport, or get the photo card anyways.

scrubbedexpat091

Ontario sure does like to have all sorts of cards don't they.....


Doesn't look like we have a card like that here. The lady in the card looks familiar, not sure why....

Gozit

I honestly quite like Europe's mandatory ID cards. One card for everything except travel outside the EEA (which would obviously be your passport) and driving (your license). Everyone is required to have it and it is accepted everywhere.

PB65

Just for info no government ID cards in UK only passports and driving licences although might be some sort of cards for over 18s to buy alchohol if no passport or licence not sure on that.