Common-Law Partners As Guarantors: Passport Possibilities

can i use my common law partner as guarantor passport

A guarantor is required when applying for a passport for the first time or when you are not eligible for passport renewal. Guarantors help confirm your identity when you apply for a passport or other travel documents. They must have known you well enough for at least two years to confirm the information in your application is true. A common-law partner can be a guarantor as long as they meet the requirements. However, if you are in a common-law relationship, your partner cannot be a reference.

Characteristics Values
Who can be a guarantor? Anyone who meets the basic guarantor requirements, including a family member or member of your household.
Guarantor requirements Must have known the applicant for at least 2 years and well enough to confirm the information in the application is true.
Guarantor's role To guarantee the identity of the applicant and confirm the information in their application.
When is a guarantor needed? When applying for a passport for the first time or when the applicant is not eligible to renew their passport.
Number of guarantors needed One guarantor is needed.
Guarantor fee Guarantors cannot charge a fee for helping with the passport application.
Common-law partner as a guarantor A common-law partner can be a guarantor as long as they meet the guarantor requirements.

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Common-law partners as guarantors

In Canada, a guarantor is a person who "guarantees" your identity when applying for a passport or other travel documents. This person must have known you for at least 2 years and must be able to confirm the information in your application is true.

If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you will need a guarantor. However, if you are renewing your passport, you do not need a guarantor. Your guarantor can be anyone, including a family member or member of your household, as long as they meet the basic guarantor requirements.

If you are unable to find a guarantor, you must provide two references and complete a statutory declaration in lieu of a guarantor. This form must be signed in the presence of a person authorized by law to administer oaths and declarations, such as a notary public, justice of the peace, or commissioner of oaths.

For common-law partners specifically, the rules are as follows: if you are in a common-law relationship, your partner can serve as a reference or guarantor as long as you are not applying together. If your common-law relationship has ended, your former partner can serve as a reference or guarantor. It is important to note that you and your guarantor cannot share the same address.

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Guarantor requirements

A guarantor is a person who "guarantees" your identity and confirms the information in your application is true. Guarantors are only required when applying for a passport for the first time or if you are not eligible to renew your passport. You do not need a guarantor if you are renewing your passport.

If you are applying for a child's passport, the guarantor must have known you for at least two years and must know the child. If you are the parent or legal guardian applying on behalf of a child, you cannot sign as the guarantor on the child's application. The other parent or legal guardian (not submitting the application) can sign as long as they meet the requirements.

Your guarantor can be anyone who meets the basic guarantor requirements for a regular passport, including a family member or member of your household. You may also use an occupation-based guarantor for an application submitted outside Canada, as long as that person is registered under the Indian Act or employed in an eligible occupation. For example, First Nations representatives and employees, such as a chief, councillor, or Indian Registration Administrator.

If you are unable to find anyone who is eligible to be your guarantor, you must complete the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form. You must swear or affirm this form in front of someone who has the authority to administer an oath, such as a notary public, justice of the peace, or commissioner of oaths.

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Guarantor tasks

A guarantor is a person who can confirm your identity when you are applying for a passport or other travel documents. They must have known you for at least 2 years and well enough to confirm the information in your application is true.

  • Sign, date and write your name on the digital photo if using the SCIS Photo App or on the back of one of the printed photos.
  • For an adult application, sign and date the photocopies of each supporting identification document (ID) you submit to confirm your identity. This only applies to photocopies of ID and is not needed if you submit original documents.
  • If the guarantor is for your child's passport, they must have known you for at least 2 years and must know your child.
  • If you're the parent or legal guardian who is applying on behalf of a child, you cannot sign as a guarantor on the child's application. However, the other parent or legal guardian (not submitting the application) can sign as long as they meet the requirements.
  • Be available and capable of answering questions about you, such as your name, approximate age, place of birth, physical description, and place of residence, if contacted.

It is important to note that a guarantor cannot charge a fee for helping with your passport application.

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Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor

In Canada, a guarantor is required for a passport application only if it is your first time applying for a passport or if you are not eligible for a passport renewal. A guarantor helps confirm your identity when you apply for a passport or other travel documents. They must have known you for at least 2 years and well enough to confirm the information in your application is true.

If you are unable to find a suitable guarantor, you must complete the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form (PPTC 132). This form is not available online and must be obtained from the passport office directly. This declaration allows you to legally affirm the reason(s) you don’t have a guarantor and move forward without one. The form must be signed by a person with the authority to administer an oath, such as a notary public, justice of the peace, or commissioner of oaths. This person does not need to know you personally. If you are in Canada, this can be a notary public, justice of the peace, or commissioner for oaths. If you are outside Canada, this can be a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative or a qualified local official, such as a civil servant or member of Parliament.

To be legally valid, a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor must include your personal information: full legal name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. You must still comply with all other requirements when applying for a passport, including the requirement to have your photo certified and provide documents that support your identity.

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Guarantor fees

A guarantor is a person who “guarantees” your identity when you apply for a passport or other travel documents. This person must have known you for at least 2 years and well enough to confirm the information in your application is true. Guarantors are typically required for first-time passport applicants or those who are not eligible for passport renewal.

Regarding guarantor fees, there is no explicit information on specific guarantor fees for passports. However, it is important to note that a guarantor is not allowed to charge a fee for helping with a passport application. This means that guarantors should not request or accept any form of monetary compensation for their role in supporting your passport application.

While there are no guarantor fees, there are other costs associated with applying for a passport. These typically include passport fees, which you need to pay when applying by mail or in person, depending on the specific guidelines of the relevant government or passport office.

In some cases, there may be costs associated with obtaining supporting documents, such as passport photos or identity documents. For instance, you may need to pay for professional passport photos that meet the specific requirements, including the photographer's name, address, and date the photos were taken. These costs can vary depending on the photographer or studio you choose.

Additionally, if you are applying for a passport in a country other than your own, there may be additional fees or requirements, such as those outlined for Canadian citizens applying from outside Canada. These fees may cover the processing and handling of your application by the relevant government offices.

Frequently asked questions

No, your common-law partner cannot be a guarantor. However, if your marriage or common-law relationship has ended, your former spouse or partner can serve as a reference.

A guarantor is a person who “guarantees” your identity and confirms the information in your application is true. This person must have known you for at least 2 years. As long as they meet these requirements, your guarantor can be anyone, including a family member or member of your household.

The guarantor must:

- Sign and date photocopies of each supporting identification document (ID) you submit to confirm your identity.

- Write on the back of one of the passport photos: "I certify this to be a true likeness of [your name or your child’s name]" and sign it.

- Sign and date the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form, if applicable.

If you cannot find a guarantor, you must provide two references and complete a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form. This form must be signed in the presence of a person authorized by law to administer oaths and declarations, such as a notary public, justice of the peace, or commissioner of oaths.

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