Government of Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Government of Canada

sanfrancisco.gc.ca

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. >
  3. For Canadians

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Passport

Q. My passport is expired/about to expire and I need to travel soon. I live in the United States. How do I apply for a new passport? Can I get an expedited service at the Canadian Consulate in San Francisco?

A. Please note that none of the Canadian offices in the USA offer passport services, therefore you cannot submit your application to any of them. For Canadians residing in the US (whether temporarily or permanently), the only ways to renew or apply for a new passport are to either mail the application to Canada, or to travel to Canada in order to apply in person.However, if you apply by mail, please be advised it may take up to 6 weeks to get a new passport, provided everything is right with the application. When you go and apply in person inside Canada, there are some expedited services available. For more information including the application forms and process, please check Passport Canada- Canadians living in the US.

Q. My passport application has been rejected because the photos I submitted did not meet Passport Canada’s strict requirements. Do you know of any place in the Bay Area that can take Canadian Passport photos at the specified requirements?

A. First, you should make sure you are familiar with Passport Canada’s specific photo requirements. You should also bring the photo specifications with you to the photo studio. While we cannot guarantee that all photos will be acceptable, Canadians in the past have told us about certain photographers who have met Passport Canada’s photo requirements. These include most of the Sears stores and some of the Costco locations in the Bay Area and Hawaii, along with the following:

This list is provided by the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco solely as a convenience to individuals who may need to supply photographs to Passport Canada.  The companies listed are not affiliated in any way with the Consulate General.  The Consulate General neither endorses the services provided by these companies nor suggests that they are the only option for obtaining passport photographs.

San Francisco, CA:

  • Grace Image, 456 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94104, Tel.: (415) 788-5587
  • Leetone Photography, 615 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94111, Tel.: (415) 391-9890

Peninsula, CA:

  • Abby Photo, 1780 Miramonte Ave, Mountain View, CA 94040, Tel.: (650) 965-0100
  • Dawdy Photography, 821 California Drive, Burlingame CA 94010, Tel.: (650) 588-5400
  • Keeble & Shuchat, 290 California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, Tel.: (650) 327-8996
  • The Darkroom, 356 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070, Tel.: (650) 592-8586
  • H.M. Video and Photography, 2486 Stevens Creek Blvd. San Jose, CA 95128, Tel.: (408) 292-8132
  • KSP INC., 290 Palo Alto CA 94306, Tel.: (650) 327-8996

East Bay, CA:

  • Abby Photo, 6212 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA 94618, Tel.: (510) 653-6400
  • Montclair Photo, 6170 Antioch St., Oakland CA 94611, Tel.: (510) 339-3686

Sacramento, CA:

  • Eleakis Photography, 4625 Freeport, Sacramento CA 95822, Tel.: (916) 451-4892
  • Harris Studio, 1317 Lynette Way, Sacramento, CA 95831, Tel.: (916) 395-6363
  • The UPS Store, 2121 Natomas Crossing Drive, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95834, Tel.: (916) 419-6267

Sonoma, CA:

  • Custom Image Sonoma, 812 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476, Tel.: (707) 935-3191

Carson City, NV:

  • Gordon's Photo Service, 1227 S. Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701, Tel.: (775) 883-3077

Reno, NV:

  • Gordon’s Photo Service, 5067 South McCarran, Reno, NV 89502, Tel.: (775) 826-6488

Hawaii:

  • Francisco Photography, 94-268 Waipahu Depot St, Waipahu HI 96797, Tel.: (808) 671-1128
  • Wong’s Photos, 43 S. Hotel St., Honolulu, HI 96813, Tel.: (808) 523 2329

The Consulate General is not responsible or liable for any contact an individual may have with any of these companies.  The Consulate General does not claim or guarantee that the services offered satisfy any applicable U.S. federal, state, or foreign government laws or regulations.  The Consulate General is not responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of or in any way connected with use of services provided by any of these companies.

If you are a provider of passport photography services and wish your company’s name and address included on this list, please contact sfran@international.gc.ca.

Q. I don’t know anybody here that could be my guarantor. What other options do I have?

A. If you do not have an eligible Canadian guarantor to use with application form PPTC 153, you can still use the form PPTC 140 which reflects the old guarantor policy (where your guarantor can be either a Canadian or a U.S. citizen as long as they belong to the professional categories listed on the application) or you may qualify to use the new simplified passport application form PPTC 054. All forms are available for download from Passport Canada’s website – Passport Canada – under the section ‘Canadians living in the US’. If you have been in the US for less than 2 years and you have no way of finding an eligible guarantor for either application form and you don’t qualify for the simplified form, please email our office at sfran@international.gc.ca or call (415) 834-3180.

Q. I live in the USA, but my spouse and child live in Canada. My spouse is applying for our child’s passport, and she needs me to provide the passport office with an Acknowledgement/Consent to Provision of Passport Services for a Minor Child (PPTC 028). How do I do that?

A. – Please email us for an appointment, provide your contact information along with your availability (within our consular appointment hours), and we will contact you.

Q. My passport was stolen/lost. What do I have to do now?

A. – You need to inform the Police and get a report number, and then contact Passport Canada at 1-800-567-6868 to report your passport lost/stolen. After that, you can apply for a new passport, making sure to include form PPTC 203 “STATUTORY DECLARATION concerning a lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible Canadian passport or travel document”. Please go to Passport Canada for more information on how to apply for a new passport, as well as to download form PPTC 203.

Q. I have been issued a Limited Validity Passport. I have the original proof of citizenship in my possession now. How can I extend the validity of my passport?

A.- The Consulate no longer extends limited validity passports. Once you have received your citizenship certificate, you will need to reapply for a new 5 years validity passport.

Q. I am in the process of renewing my passport, but just realized that I no longer have my original proof of Canadian citizenship. What do I do now?

A. Please be advised that Passport Canada will not issue you a passport unless you submit an original proof of Canadian citizenship.

1. If you were born in Canada, your proof of citizenship is your birth certificate. You need to contact the Vital Statistics office of the province where you were born and request a duplicate.

2. If you were born outside of Canada, your proof of citizenship is your wallet size CCC with a picture on it, or the Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (RBA). If you no longer have that, you will have to apply for a replacement. Please refer to Citizenship FAQs below for more details.

Q. Can I still apply for a passport even though I don’t currently have my original proof of citizenship? I travel a lot for business and I need my passport / can’t wait until a replacement of the citizenship certificate is issued.

A. Passport Canada will return the application back to you as incomplete if you fail to provide the original proof of citizenship. However, if you have proof that you have applied for a replacement of your CCC, and you can show proof of urgency, you may obtain a Limited Validity Passport if you go to Canada and apply in person at a Passport Canada office.

Q. I recently got married and I need to change my name on the passport. How do I do that?

A. Please refer to Passport Canada’s website – Passport Canada for more details concerning the change of name on your Canadian documents. From the home page, click on the “Step by Step Guide for Canadians”, on the left side drop down menu. From there, click on “Personal Information” to read about name changes.

Q. How long does it currently take to obtain a passport when mailing the application to Canada? How soon can I get a passport when I apply in person in Canada?

A. Please check Passport Canada’s website – Passport Canada often for processing time updates. If you need a passport in emergency, you can go to Canada and apply in person using an urgent service. This usually involves an additional fee, proof of urgency, and you should be able to secure a passport in as soon as 48 to 72 hours, provided you can satisfy Passport Canada’s urgency requirements. For details, please go to Processing times.

Q. I recently had a baby in the US and I would like to apply for his/her Canadian passport. We are travelling soon and he/she needs a passport. How do I do that?

A. First, you need to apply for the child’s proof of Canadian citizenship by sumitting a citizenship application for your child. Please refer to the Citizenship FAQs for how to apply for it. Only after your child receives his/her proof of citizenship can you apply for his/her Canadian passport. If your child was born in the US you can apply for his/her US passport in order to satisfy your immediate travel requirements as the application process can take many months.

Q. I am a Canadian citizen. Do I need to have a passport to go to Canada?

A. When you are travelling by air – out of, into or transiting the US, you must have a valid passport or you will be denied boarding. Beginning June 1st, 2009, you will also need a valid passport if crossing the border by land or sea. To find out more and to learn about border travel updates, please check Voyage.gc.ca, Government of Canada Official Web Site, Travel.State.Gov and Canada Border Service Agency.

Q. The passport application requires that I submit a supplemental piece of ID. I do not have Canadian ID. Is a CA driver’s license or US green card acceptable?

A. Yes. You can use any photo ID, as long as it is valid, is issued by a state or federal government, has your signature, and has your name as you would like it to appear on your passport. You need to make a photocopy of it front and back, and make sure you have your guarantor sign and date it.

Q. How can I pay the passport fee? I was unable to obtain a money order in Canadian currency.

A. First, you need to make sure you are filling out the correct application form, which for a Canadian living in the US must be either PPTC 140 - PDF * (284 KB), PPTC 153 - PDF * (607 KB) or PPTC 054. Please see Passport Canada for the correct form for your situation. On each form, you should find a portion where you can write down your credit/debit card information (on page 2, section 6 for both PPTC 140 and PPTC 153 and at the bottom of the 1st page of the instructions for PPTC 054), and this is the recommended method of payment. Passport Canada accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Q. I am visiting the US and my passport was stolen (or I lost it). I need to return to Canada soon. How can I do that?

A. As long as you have your original proof of citizenship (Canadian birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate), and a permanent resident card of the USA, you should be able to travel back to Canada. We recommend that you inform your airline that you will be travelling on an alternate travel document (your permanent resident card), and that should be noted on your e-ticket. It is recommended that you apply for your Canadian passport before returning to the USA. It is your responsibility to fulfill U.S. entry requirements. If you do not have a permanent resident card, please contact our office, by email at sfran@international.gc.ca or by phone at (415) 834-3180, to assess your options.

Q. How can I check the status of my passport application after I mailed it to Passport Canada?

A. First, it is really helpful if you send your passport via courier with a tracking number instead of regular mail. If you would like to verify the status of your application, you can send a status enquiry using this link: Contact Passport Canada

Q. I can’t find any photo studio in my area that can take Canadian Passport photos. Is it OK to send the regular US passport type photos?

A. It is not recommended, as you run the risk that your passport application will be rejected due to incompliant photos, thus delaying the issuance of your new passport.

Q. The photo studio where I went to have my passport photos taken does not have a stamp with their name and address to put on the back of my pictures. Is it ok to hand-write it?

A. Yes, but make sure you write lightly so that it does not come through to the other side to ruin your picture.

Q. I need to renew my passport. It is currently valid, and I travel quite frequently. Can I keep it while my new passport application is being processed?

A. No. If your passport is still valid at the time you submit an application for a new one, you must send it with the application. You can never have two valid Canadian passports at the same time. Many people decide to apply for their new passport while in Canada, where they may obtain expedited processing.

Q. I recently declared my passport lost/stolen/inaccessible. Fortunately, I just found it. Can I still use it/can I still travel on it?

A. No. Once you inform Passport Canada that your passport is no longer in your possession, it is cancelled and can no longer be used for travel. As the Canadian passport is the property of the Canadian government, you need to surrender it to the closest Canadian diplomatic mission should you happen to find it after reporting it lost/stolen.

Q. I didn’t realize until today that my 5 year passport is expired and I need to travel soon. Can I get an emergency extension at your office?

A. Please note there is no such thing as extending the validity of a passport issued for 5 years. If your passport has expired, you will have to apply for a new one.

Q. My passport is still valid, however I travel quite extensively and my passport ran out of pages. Is it possible to add pages to it?

A. No. There is no longer the possibility to add pages to a Canadian passport. If your passport ran out of pages, you will have to apply for a new one. Since you travel extensively, you might also want to opt for the 48 page passport for an additional fee.

Citizenship - General

Q. I recently had a baby in the US. How can I apply for my child’s Canadian citizenship?

A. Please visit the following link Proof of citizenship: How to apply for the application form. The processing fee is CDN $75 payable online on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. When you pay online you can use the receipt number to check the status of your application. Once you have completed the application, you may submit it directly to the address below or to the Consulate General of Canada San Francisco, 580 California Street, 14th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104:

Proof of citizenship
Case Processing Centre, Sydney P.O. Box 10000 Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 7C1 Canada

If you are applying through the Consulate, you must submit a copy of your online payment receipt. You may instead pay the Consulate directly by exact cash or money order, made payable to the Consulate General of Canada, in the amount of USD $75.

Q. The Application for a citizenship certificate from outside Canada requires me to provide 2 additional pieces of ID for my child. My child does not have a driver’s license yet. Can I submit my child’s US medical insurance card?

A. The 2 additional pieces of ID can be the US social security card and the US passport. You will not be able to submit a US medical insurance card, because, unlike in Canada, this is not government issued and does not have a photo on it.

Q. How can I find out if I am eligible to claim Canadian citizenship by being born to a Canadian parent?

A. Since each person’s case is unique, please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) website – Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or contact the Consulate directly for more details. There is a helpful quiz you can take on CIC’s website to help determine if you are a Canadian citizen. The link is New citizenship rules.

Q. The Application for a citizenship certificate from outside Canada requires me to provide original or certified copies of documents. Who is authorized to certify copies in CA?

A. You can have the copies certified by any CA notary public, in the form of a “certification by document custodian”. It is not recommended to submit originals, as it could take up to 12 months and in some cases even longer before you get your documents back.

Q. I have lost/misplaced or had my citizenship card stolen. How can I replace it?

A. . Please visit the following link Proof of citizenship: How to apply for the application form. The processing fee is CDN/US $75 payable online on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. When you pay online you can use the receipt number to check the status of your application. Once you have completed the application, you may submit it directly to the address below or to the Consulate General of Canada San Francisco, 580 California Street, 14th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104:

Proof of citizenship
Case Processing Centre, Sydney P.O. Box 10000 Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 7C1 Canada

If you are applying through the Consulate, you must submit a copy of your online payment receipt. You may instead pay the Consulate directly by exact cash or money order, made payable to the Consulate General of Canada, in the amount of USD $75.

Q. I am filling out an application for proof of citizenship for my child. It requires information on both parents. I am Canadian but the other parent is not. Do I need to submit information about them as well?

A. No, you do not need to fill out all the information or submit documents concerning the parent who is not Canadian. Proof that one parent was Canadian at the time of the child’s birth is sufficient.

Q. I have lost my Canadian birth certificate. How can I get a new one?

A. You need to contact the Vital Statistics office of the province where you were born and request a duplicate.

Q. I was born in the province of Ontario. The application for a birth certificate requires me to provide a guarantor in order to have a duplicate issued to me. I don’t know any person who can serve as guarantor for this purpose. What are my options?

A. The Office of the Registrar General requires that you provide a guarantor who is a Canadian Citizen belonging to one of the designated professions, who has known you for two or more years. You have indicated that a Guarantor cannot be provided, or that the person would not qualify to be a Guarantor for this request. As an alternative, you must send the following required supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar General:

Detailed Letter of Explanation
You must sign and date the Letter of Explanation and enclose one of the following documents:

  • Alternate Guarantor Letter

Or a

  • Proof of Entry into Canada

The Detailed Letter of Explanation:

This letter must explain why you are requesting this birth certificate and why you cannot provide a Guarantor. The following information must be provided:

  • Your contact information including your name, mailings address and telephone number.
  • The length of time you have lived in Canada and the length of time you have lived at your place of residence.
  • The reason you are requesting a birth certificate(s).
  • How you have attempted to find a person who would qualify to be a Guarantor and why you have not been successful.

1. Alternate Guarantor Letter
You may provide an Alternate Guarantor letter from:

  • A person you know who is not Canadian Citizen, but belongs to an occupation that appears on the Guarantor's occupation list and has known you for two years or more.
  • A person you know who is a Canadian Citizen and does not belongs to an occupation that appears on the Guarantor's occupation list and has known you for two years or more.

This letter must specify the following:

  • The Alternate Guarantor's contact information including name, address and telephone number.
  • Their knowledge of this application including whom the certificate is for, how long they have known the applicant and how they may be contacted.
  • The letter must be signed and dated by this person and sent with your letter of explanation.

2. Proof of Entry into Canada
If you cannot provide a letter from an Alternate Guarantor, you may send additional evidence that supports your proof of entry into Canada. Please send a photocopy of the following documents:

  • Record of Immigrant Landing
  • Passport

Q. What documents do I need to submit with an application for a citizenship certificate from outside Canada?

A. Normally, the application package should include the following:

  • the application form entirely filled out
  • one parent’s proof of Canadian citizenship (citizenship certificate or birth certificate)
  • applicant’s (child’s) birth certificate
  • applicant’s 2 additional pieces of ID (social security card and US passport)
  • receipt for the fee paid (applicant’s information to be filled out)
  • 2 identical photos of the applicant (see requirements page that comes with the application)
  • if either of the Canadian parents acquired US citizenship prior to the child’s birth, you will need to include notarized copies of the naturalization certificate(s).

Q. I cannot find a photographer that can take a citizenship photo with the white strip at the bottom. Can I send a regular US passport type photo instead?

A. It is not recommended that you send photos that do not match the requirements for the specific application. They may be rejected and your application processing could be severely delayed. Canadians have informed us that the following places take Canadian citizenship photos*:

Grace Image, 456 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94104, Tel.: (415) 788-5587

Keeble & Shuchat, 290 California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, Tel.: (650) 327-8996

The UPS Store, 2121 Natomas Xing, Ste. 200, Sacramento, CA 95834

Abby Photo, 6212 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA 94618

Wong’s Photos, 43 S. Hotel St., Honolulu, HI 96813, Tel.: (808) 523-2329

Please be advised that we cannot guarantee that these photographers are necessarily aware of CIC’s particular requirements, so you will need to take the photo specification page that comes with the citizenship application when you go to have your pictures taken.

*Photographers are welcome to contact us to be added to the list provided you take Canadian specification photos.

Q. I believe that I may have lost my Canadian citizenship as a minor (I was born in Canada) when my parents moved to the US. Is there any way I can still claim my Canadian citizenship?

A. Please use the following link Application to resume Canadian citizenship under subsection 11(1) to determine whether you are eligible to resume Canadian citizenship. If you are, you can download this form, The processing fee is CAN $100 payable online on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. When you pay online you can use the receipt number to check the status of your application. Once you have completed the application, you may submit it directly to the address below or to the Consulate General of Canada San Francisco, 580 California Street, 14th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104:

Proof of citizenship
Case Processing Centre, Sydney P.O. Box 10000 Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 7C1 Canada

If you are applying through the Consulate, you must submit a copy of your online payment receipt. You may instead pay the Consulate directly by exact cash or money order, made payable to the Consulate General of Canada, in the amount of USD $100.

Q. I would like to renounce my Canadian citizenship. How can I do that?

A. Please use the following link for the application form Application to renounce Canadian citizenship under subsection 9 (1). Please be advised that once you renounce your Canadian citizenship, you will not be able to reverse the process and re-claim your Canadian citizenship.

Q. How can I verify whether I am still considered a Canadian citizen? Or whether one of my parents was Canadian?

A. You can submit a search of citizenship records with CIC. Please check the following link for more details: Application for a search of citizenship records.

Q. I am thinking of acquiring also US citizenship, but I do not want to lose my Canadian citizenship. Can I have dual citizenship?

A. Both Canada and the US recognize dual citizenship with each other. Taking US citizenship will not affect your Canadian citizenship.

Q. How can I verify the status of my (child’s) citizenship application? Will I receive any correspondence from CIC that they received the application?

A. You are not likely to receive any acknowledgement receipt from CIC. It is always recommended that you send the application via courier with a tracking number, so you have information on when it was delivered. As far as its status is concerned, when you pay online, make sure to keep a copy of the receipt as you will need that number to verify the status online on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. Please be advised that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is currently experiencing a huge backlog, resulting in a 6 to 9 month delay on top of the regular processing time of 9 to12 months for a citizenship certificate application. This means that the processing time could take up to 18 months. Please allow 6 to 9 months for your application to be entered into their system before any information becomes available online.

New Citizenship Rules: Effective April 17, 2009

How does the new law affect me?

The new citizenship law is very complex and each case is different. As such, it is difficult to provide one answer to this question. Please click on the following links to see the varying answers to this question, depending on your individual situation:

Sample Scenarios:

Adoption:

I adopted a baby overseas, what now?

News Releases:

Criminal Inadmissibility

Q. I have been denied entry into Canada. I was told I had a criminal record (DUI, DWI, wet and reckless, etc.). I was also told I need to contact the nearest Canadian Consulate in order to have this issue fixed so I can continue to visit Canada.

A. Unfortunately, the San Francisco office does not have an immigration section and does not handle this type of enquiry. Please check the following link Are you inadmissible to Canada? where you can find more information about criminal inadmissibility into Canada. However, should you need further assistance, or to proceed with a rehabilitation application, please contact one of the five offices in the USA that has an immigration section: Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Please note that other Canadian offices in the United States do not provide visa and immigration services.

Visas and Immigration

Q. I am a US permanent resident and I hold another country’s valid passport. Do I need a visa to go to Canada?

A. As a US permanent resident (green card holder) you will not need a visa to go to Canada as a tourist. Your green card acts in lieu of a visa but only in conjunction with a valid passport from your country of citizenship.For more information on whether you need a visa or not, please check the following link: Countries and territories whose citizens require visas in order to enter Canada as visitors .

Q. I am in the US on a visa, and would like to visit Canada. My parents are also coming from another country and would like to come with me to Canada. I may also be interested in continuing my studies there, so I may also need a study visa. Can we apply for our visas at the Consulate in San Francisco?

A. Please note that immigration and visa services are only provided by Canadian offices in Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Other Canadian offices in the United States do not provide visa and immigration services. Please contact your nearest visa office for any questions you have about the visa application process.

Q. I am thinking of immigrating to Canada. My husband is a Canadian. I am an IT professional. What is the immigration process like and what are the pre-requisites?

A. Please note that immigration and visa services are only provided by Canadian offices in Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Other Canadian offices in the United States do not provide visa and immigration services. Please contact your nearest immigration office for any questions you have concerning immigration.

Q. I have recently acquired US permanent residency and I need to relinquish my Canadian maple leaf card. How can I do that?

A. Please mail or bring your Canadian maple leaf card, SIN card and any medical insurance card to the Consulate.

Notary Services

Q. What types of notarial services are offered at the Consulate in San Francisco?

A. Please note that most Canadian agencies will accept a CA public notary. However, if you require us to provide a notarial service to you, you will need to make an appointment. But before that, please make sure that the service you are requesting can be provided at our office.

Services we provide:

  • Notary Services (PPTC 132, PPTC 203) – $50 USD fee per document
  • Authentication of Documents (Bank signature cards, real estate escrow document for property purchased in Canada) – $50 USD fee per signature
  • Certified Copy of Document (only Canadian documents required for Canadian applications) – $20 USD fee per page

Please be advised that all fees are payable ONLY by exact change cash or money order made out to the Consulate General of Canada. We cannot accept Canadian currency, personal checks or credit/debit cards, and we cannot make change if you don’t have the exact amount.

Benefits and Taxes

Q. I found I am eligible to apply for Canadian benefits (Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Pension, Social Security, etc.). How can I do that?

A. You need to contact the Service Canada office in the province where you worked. For more information on Canadian benefits, please go to Service Canada.

Q. I am applying for Canada Pension Plan/Old Age Pension and I am required to provide my landed immigrant documents. I believe I have lost them, how can I get duplicates or copies of these records?

A. You need to contact the nearest Canadian Consulate that handles immigration. Please note that immigration and visa services are only provided by Canadian offices in Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Other Canadian offices in the United States do not provide visa and immigration services. Please contact your nearest immigration office for any immigration related questions you may have.

Q. How can I apply for a SIN number? How can I replace a lost/stolen SIN card?

A. Please contact Service Canada for more information and detailed instructions.

Q. I need to file taxes in Canada and need some forms and more information.

A. Please contact Canada Revenue Agency, as they are in the best position to assist you with any tax related questions you might have.

Other Requests

Q. I am a Canadian citizen planning to get married in a foreign country. In order to be able to do so, I need to obtain and provide a Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad. How and where can I obtain one?

A. If you wish to get married in a country other than Canada, you may be required to obtain a Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad. In order to determine whether you will require a Statement, visa, etc., you must contact the embassy, high commission or consulate in Canada of the country concerned. Contact information for other countries’ representation in Canada can be found by visiting the following link: Foreign Representatives in Canada . You can submit your request for a Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad in person or by mail. Processing time for these Statements is 10 to 15 working days, regardless of how they are delivered. If you were born in Canada, you must submit your certified birth certificate. If you were not born in Canada, you must submit certified true copies of your Canadian citizenship card and Record of Landing form. If you have lost your Record of Landing form, this must be mentioned in the statutory declaration of marital status.

You must provide a statutory declaration of your present marital status and indicate the name and citizenship of your future spouse. Statutory declarations can be done before a Canadian lawyer, solicitor, notary or commissioner of oaths.

If you have been married before, you must submit your certified divorce certificate or divorce judgment. If you are a widow or widower you must submit a certified copy of the death certificate of your deceased spouse. If you intend to marry in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, your certificate must be issued no more than three months before your intended marriage date.

Other Documents

Legal documents must be signed and sealed by a Canadian lawyer, solicitor, notary or commissioner of oaths. Documents issued by federal or provincial authorities that are signed by an official of the respective government must include the signing officer's title. Documents that are un-signed can be submitted if they are certified, signed and sealed by a Canadian lawyer, solicitor, notary or commissioner of oaths. If the documents you send are not properly signed or certified, they will be returned to you without being authenticated. Medical reports must be certified by a Canadian lawyer, solicitor, notary or commissioner of oaths, or by a representative of the relevant provincial medical association. If the documents you send are not properly certified, they will be returned to you without being authenticated.

Mailing Address and Telephone Numbers

Authentication and Service of Documents Section (JLAC)
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0G2

Tel.: 1-800-267-8376 (Toll Free in Canada)

(613) 944-4000 (in the National Capital Region and outside Canada)
(613) 944-9136 (TTY for the deaf)
When submitting your documents in person to JLAC, appointments are not necessary. Simply report to the Reception Desk at the address shown above between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. The office is closed on statutory holidays.

Q. I will be travelling with my children to Canada. Are there any specific requirements that I need to take into consideration as far as travel documentation for them is concerned?

A. Apart from the fact that your children must have travel documentation similar to yours (i.e. passports, IDs, proof of citizenship, etc.), there are some additional requirements to consider when taking children into Canada. Please check the following link for detailed information on Travelling with Children.

Appointments

Appointments at the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco are available between 9h00-12h00 Monday to Friday, except for statutory holidays. Please note that consular appointments are not available at the Palo Alto office.

The duration of your appointment will depend on the service you are requesting. Apointments are not available for enquiries or requests for information.

Appointments are scheduled closely together; if you forget anything - documents, photos or fees, we will be unable to wait and you will be asked to reschedule.

To schedule an appointment, please email us at sfran@international.gc.ca or call us at (415) 834-3180 with your contact information, preferred dates and service requested, and a Consular Team member will call you to schedule an appointment.

* If you require a plug-in or a third-party software to view this file, please visit the alternative formats section of our help page.

Footer

Date Modified:
2013-04-26