Certificate of identity
Travel document for permanent residents in Canada who are not protected persons and are stateless or cannot obtain a national passport from any other source. Fees below; pay online, then mail your paper application.
A certificate of identity is a Canadian travel document for certain permanent residents who cannot get a passport from any country and who are not applying as protected persons under the refugee travel document rules.
You use the same PPTC application forms as for a refugee travel document, but the fee and eligibility are different. Pay the certificate-of-identity fee online, print your receipt, and mail your paper application and documents from inside Canada.
Confirm the current fee list and instructions on Canada.ca before you pay or send your application.
- Adult: PPTC 190 (or Child: PPTC 192)Often required
Same application forms as for a refugee travel document—select the correct adult or child form.
- Proof of permanent residence and identityOften required
Documents listed in the instruction guide for your situation (for example PR card or other proof as required).
- Evidence you cannot obtain a national passportOften required
IRCC requires proof that you are stateless or cannot reasonably get a passport from another country—follow the official checklist.
- PhotosOften required
Meet Passport Program photo specifications.
- Guarantor and referencesOften required
As required on the form and in the instruction guide.
- Fee payment receiptOften required
Pay the certificate of identity fee online, print the receipt, and include it with your mailed application.
- Government fees (CAN$, as published on the travel document fee page—confirm current amounts before you pay): Adult certificate of identity (age 16 and up) $266.25; Child certificate of identity (age 0 to 15) $141.00.
- Additional administrative fee for replacing a valid lost or stolen travel document: $45 (see IRCC fee page).
- How to pay: Fees are paid online through the IRCC payment system. You need a printer to include the payment receipt with your application.
- How to apply: There is no fully online application form submission for these travel documents—you pay online, then submit your completed paper application by mail from inside Canada (see How to apply on Canada.ca).
- Certificates of identity are issued to permanent residents of Canada who are not protected persons and are stateless or cannot obtain a national passport or travel document from any other source, as described by IRCC.
- These documents are only issued in Canada. You must be in Canada to apply.
- The same application form is used as for a refugee travel document; eligibility rules differ—read the overview page to confirm which document type applies to you.
- You cannot use these travel documents to travel to your country of citizenship. Check with foreign embassies whether your travel document will be accepted.
- The issuing office decides how long your travel document is valid.
- Informational only—not legal advice. Use official Passport Program / IRCC instructions.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. Immigration rules change frequently. Always confirm requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer before submitting an application.