Certificate of Identity

There are two types of travel documents available for non-Canadians traveling abroad:

• Refugee Travel Document
• Certificate of Identity

Both documents require the same application form.

These travel documents are issued to:

• Convention refugees
• Protected persons
• Stateless individuals
• Permanent residents of Canada under special circumstances
• The issuing authority determines the validity period of the travel document.

Important: These documents cannot be used to travel to your country of citizenship.

Before making travel arrangements, check with the embassy of your destination country to confirm whether your travel document is accepted.

Who Can Apply: There are two types of travel documents available for non-Canadians:

Refugee Travel Document

Issued to protected persons in Canada, including Convention refugees and individuals in need of protection.

Certificate of Identity

Available to permanent residents of Canada who:

• Are stateless and not classified as protected persons, or
• Are unable to obtain a passport from their country of nationality or a travel document from any other source.

To apply for a travel document, you must be physically present in Canada.

Once we receive your application, we determine:

• The type of travel document you qualify for.
• The validity period of the document.

Note: These documents cannot be used to travel to your country of citizenship.

Before traveling, check with the embassy of your destination country to ensure your travel document is accepted.

Travel Documents for Children

You may apply for a travel document on behalf of a child (under 16 years old) if you are:

• A parent with proof of parentage.
• A parent with legal custody, along with all required legal documents (in cases of separation or divorce).
• The child’s legal guardian, with supporting documentation proving guardianship.If a Parent or Legal Guardian is Deceased

You must provide the original or an officially issued copy of the death certificate from:

• A provincial or territorial vital statistics office in Canada, or
• An equivalent office outside Canada.

Note: A statement of death from a funeral home is not an acceptable death certificate.

How to apply

Complete the form: file:///C:/Users/Scope%20Immigration/Downloads/_content_dam_ircc_migration_ircc_english_passport_forms_pdf_pptc190.pdf

General Document Checklist for Refugee Document/Certificate of identity:

When submitting your application, make sure to include the following:

• Proof of Immigration Status in Canada (photocopy).
• Identity Document – Can be:
  • The original document, or
  • A photocopy signed by your guarantor.
• Any Valid Passport or Travel Document issued in your name.
  • We will retain this document, but you can request its return.
  • If you don’t request it back within two years of its expiry, it will be destroyed.
• Two Identical Passport Photos
  • On the back of one photo, the photographer must:
    • Write their name, the full address of their studio, and the date the photo was taken.
    • This information can be handwritten or stamped (stick-on labels are not accepted).
  • Your guarantor must sign the back of the same photo and write:
    • “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
  • Review the official photo requirements for more details.
• All documents must be in English or French. If any document is in another language, you must provide an official translation.

Additional Documents May Be Required If You Are:

• Changing your name.
• Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged travel document.
• Updating the sex designation on your travel document.

Find a Guarantor and Two References

To complete your application, you must have:

• A guarantor who meets the eligibility criteria for travel documents and can sign:
  • Your application.
  • The back of one passport photo.
  • The front and back of all photocopies of your supporting identity documents.
• Two references to list on your application.

Your guarantor and references must have known you for at least six months.