Canada: Knowledge Base profile
Updated 12 April 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/canada-knowledge-base-profile/canada-knowledge-base-profile
About: Canada
This document contains useful information about Canada which will assist His Majesty’s Passport Office staff process passport applications.
Contacts
If you have any questions about the document and your line manager or senior caseworker cannot help you or you think that the document has factual errors then email HM Passport Office’s Guidance team.
If you notice any formatting errors in this document (broken links, spelling mistakes and so on) or have any comments about the layout or navigability of the document then you can email the Guidance team.
Publication
Below is information on when this version of the document was published:
- version 3.0
- published for Home Office staff on 9 April 2024
Changes from last version of this document
This document has been updated to confirm change of name certificates are issued in each province in Canada.
Canada: names
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about names in Canada.
The Canada passport has a limit of 31 characters (including spaces) on the ‘given names (forenames)’ field. Any customer with names longer than 31 characters will have only the names that fit within the character limit recorded on the personal details page. The full name will be entered as an observation.
Change of name
Name changes are legal in Canada, these are done in the province. Adding additional names and changes of names after birth confirmation or marriage are allowed.
Change of name certificates are issued in each province.
Name alignment
HM Passport Office will not ask the customer to align the passport if the name on the British passport application matches the customer’s name either:
- on the personal details page in the Canada passport
- as an observation in the Canada passport
The Canada authorities have informed HM Passport Office they will not issue any evidence to a customer who has an expired Canada passport they have no plans on renewing (or have not renewed for a number of years).
Canada: nationality
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about nationality in Canada.
Dual nationality is allowed in Canada.
Canada: legitimacy
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about legitimacy in Canada.
Legitimacy
Since 15 February 1977 Canada does not recognise a difference between legitimate and illegitimate births. All children born after this date are legitimate whether parents are married or not.
Canada: adoption
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about adoption in Canada.
Adoption is legal in Canada.
Canada: surrogacy
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about legitimacy in Canada.
Surrogacy is allowed in Canada.
Canada: gender recognition
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about gender recognition in Canada.
Transgender citizens are recognised in Canada.
The gender identifier on a Canada passport is:
- M for male
- F for female
- X for another gender
Canada: civil partnership and marriage
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about civil partnership and marriage in Canada.
Same sex marriage is legal in Canada.
A civil partnership in Quebec is called a union civile or civil union.
There are religious and civil marriages in Canada.
Canada: documents
This section gives HM Passport Office operational staff information about documents in Canada.
The Vital Statistics Agency in the province where the event took place issues:
- birth certificates
- marriage certificates
- death certificates
Birth certificates
Each province in Canada keeps their own birth records. Births should be registered within 3 months. Late registrations are allowed.
All provinces issue 2 types of birth certificate:
- short birth certificate – only shows child’s information, (not acceptable for HM Passport Office purposes)
- long birth certificate – shows child and parents details, (acceptable for HM Passport Office purposes)
If there is a mistake on a certificate the update will be shown as either a marginal note or an amendment to the original record. Each province makes their own decision. Amendments on birth certificates can be on a second page or at the bottom of the document.
Marriage certificates
Marriages are only legal if registered with the Vital Statistics Agency in the province where the wedding took place and a marriage certificate issued.
Only a marriage certificate issued by a Vital Statistics Agency province office is acceptable for HM Passport Office purposes.
Death certificates
Deaths are registered with the Vital Statistics Registrar in the province where the death occurred. A death certificate is issued when a death is registered.
Identity documents
Canada citizens must have a Canada passport or valid province ID document. Foreign nationals must have a visa or a residence card.
The gender identifier on a Canada passport is either:
- M for male
- F for female
- X for another gender
The Canada passport has a limit of 31 characters (including spaces) on the ‘given names (forenames)’ field. Any customer with names longer than 31 characters will have only the names that fit within the character limit recorded on the personal details page. The full name will be entered as an observation.
Change of name certificates are issued in each province.