Lost or Stolen Passport Procedures in Alberta

If your passport is lost or stolen in Alberta, immediately file a report with local police (e.g., Calgary or Edmonton Police), then report it to the Government of Canada; apply for a replacement in person at a Service Canada Centre with Passport Services, a dedicated Passport Office in Calgary or Edmonton for expedited service, or select Canada Post outlets, providing a completed application, proof of citizenship, photos, a statutory declaration, and paying fees ranging from $120 to over $600 depending on urgency.

1. Immediate Steps to Take Within the First Hour

Time is critical. Follow this sequence to mitigate risk and start the replacement process.

Why the Police Report Matters in Alberta: Local police services like the Calgary Police Service (CPS) or Edmonton Police Service (EPS) will enter the passport details into the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database. This adds a layer of protection against identity fraud. According to Statistics Canada, Alberta has one of the higher rates of identity fraud reports among provinces, making this step particularly important.

2. Reporting to Police & Government Authorities

Understanding the roles of different authorities ensures you report correctly and efficiently.

3. The Replacement Application Process: Step-by-Step

This is a detailed walkthrough of the official application process from start to finish.

1. Gather Documents: Collect all required items (see Section 6). The most critical is the Statutory Declaration (PPTC 203).
2. Complete the Application Form: Fill out the Application for a Canadian Passport (PPTC 153). Be truthful about the loss. You can fill it online and print it, or get it at a service point.
3. Get Passport Photos: Use a professional photographer who knows Canadian specifications. Many London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, or independent studios in Alberta offer this service for ~$15-$20.
4. Find a Guarantor: You need a guarantor who has known you for at least 2 years (and meets other criteria) to sign your form and photo. If you can't find one, you must complete a PPTC 132 form and provide additional references.
5. Submit In Person: You must submit a lost/stolen passport application in person. Mail-in is not allowed.
   • Standard Service: Service Canada Centre with Passport Services.
   • Urgent/Express Service: Dedicated Passport Offices in Calgary or Edmonton.
6. Pay Fees: Pay the required fees (see Section 5).
7. Track and Receive: You will get a receipt with a tracking number. Passports are mailed to your Alberta address via Canada Post Xpresspost.

4. Service Locations in Alberta: Where to Go

Alberta has multiple service points, but their capabilities differ significantly.

Pro Tip for Albertans: If you live outside Calgary or Edmonton, consider mailing your documents via certified mail to a Passport Office if you cannot travel. However, you must still have the application and declaration witnessed in person by an authorized official (like a notary public, commissioner for oaths, or lawyer) in your local community first. Check with your local Alberta Registry Agent—many can commission the Statutory Declaration for a small fee (~$20-40).

5. Processing Times & Costs in Alberta (2023)

Fees are set nationally, but processing times can vary slightly based on office volume in Alberta.

Proof of Travel for Expedited Services: You must show confirmed travel itinerary (e.g., airline, bus, cruise ticket) or a written statement from your employer/travel agency explaining the urgent need. The Calgary and Edmonton offices are strict about this requirement.

Alberta-Specific Cost Consideration: If you need to travel to a Passport Office from a remote location (e.g., from Grande Prairie to Edmonton), factor in fuel, parking (downtown Calgary/Edmonton can be $20-$40/day), and potential overnight stay. These are significant hidden costs.

6. Complete List of Required Documents

Missing even one document will cause delays. Use this as a checklist.

• 1. Application Form (PPTC 153): Fully completed and signed. Do not sign until instructed by the accepting agent.
• 2. Proof of Canadian Citizenship (Original):
  • Canadian birth certificate, or
  • Certificate of Citizenship, or
  • Previous Canadian passport (if not lost), or
  • Naturalization certificate (pre-1977).
• 3. Two Identical Passport Photos: One signed by your guarantor on the back with the statement “I certify this to be a true likeness of [your name]”.
• 4. Supporting Identification: Original of a valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., Alberta Driver's License, Alberta ID card). A second piece of ID may be requested.
• 5. Statutory Declaration Concerning a Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Canadian Passport (PPTC 203):
  • This is the most important form for a lost passport.
  • It must be signed and sworn/affirmed in the presence of a commissioner for oaths, notary public, or lawyer. Passport officials at the office can also commission it.
  • Include the police report file number if available.
• 6. Any Valid Canadian Passport or Travel Document in your possession. (If you have others, you must surrender them).
• 7. Guarantor Declaration: Filled and signed by your guarantor (Section 3 of PPTC 153) OR the form PPTC 132 if you don't have a guarantor.
• 8. Fees: Payment by debit, credit card, certified cheque, or money order payable to “Receiver General for Canada”. Cash is often not accepted at Passport Offices.

7. Special Circumstances: Minors, Tourists, & Dual Citizens

For Children (Under 16):

• Both parents/guardians must usually provide consent. If one is unavailable, additional documentation (e.g., custody order, death certificate, or a signed PPTC 101 form) is required.
• The child must be present at submission if possible, but not mandatory for lost passport applications.
• The guarantor must have known the parent(s) applying for at least 2 years, not necessarily the child.

For Dual Citizens:

• You must report the loss of your Canadian passport to Canadian authorities, even if you plan to travel on your other passport.
• Using a foreign passport to enter Canada? You must present the required visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you are a visa-exempt foreign national. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, must present a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada. This is a strict Canadian law.

8. Traveling Domestically & Internationally While Waiting

If Travel is Imminent: Go to the Calgary or Edmonton Passport Office immediately with proof of travel (within 2-9 days) to apply for expedited or emergency service. Be prepared to pay the premium fees.

9. Prevention Tips & Safe Passport Handling in Alberta

Prevention is the best strategy. Follow these tips tailored to common Alberta scenarios.

• Make Digital & Physical Copies: Photocopy the photo page of your passport. Store a digital copy (encrypted) in your email or cloud. Leave a copy with a trusted person at home. This does not replace the passport but speeds up reporting.
• Use Hotel Safes: When visiting Banff, Jasper, or Calgary hotels, lock your passport in the room safe. Do not carry it on daily hikes or to bars.
• Be Cautious at Major Events: During the Calgary Stampede or Edmonton's festivals, pickpocketing risk increases. Use a money belt or hidden pouch.
• Do Not Leave in Vehicles: Theft from vehicles is a common problem in Alberta tourist areas and city parking lots. Never leave your passport in a car, even locked in the glove box.
• Register with Canadians Abroad: If traveling internationally from Alberta, register with Registration of Canadians Abroad so the government can contact you in an emergency.

10. Alberta vs. Other Provinces: Key Procedural Differences

While the federal process is identical, provincial logistics differ.

11. Interacting with Alberta Law Enforcement

How to effectively file a report and what to expect.

• What to Bring: Any details about the passport (number, date of issue, place of issue if known), and where/when you believe it was lost/stolen.
• What to Expect: The officer will take a statement and create a report. They will give you a file number. This is not a replacement ID, but a crucial reference.
• In Person vs. Phone: For a lost (not stolen) passport, you can often report by phone. For a suspected theft, especially if other items were taken, an in-person report at a district office is better.
• Case Study: A tourist from Germany had their backpack stolen from a rental car in Canmore. They reported to the RCMP detachment in Canmore, obtained a file number, and contacted the German Consulate in Vancouver. The RCMP report was essential for both the German emergency passport and their travel insurance claim for stolen items.
• Follow-up: Police in Alberta rarely investigate a single lost passport unless it's part of a larger theft ring. The report is primarily for your documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Official Resources & Links

• Government of Canada: Report a Lost, Stolen or Inaccessible Passport
• Service Canada: Canadian Passport Homepage
• Passport Office Locator & Appointments: Service Canada Appointment Booking
• Alberta RCMP Detachment Locator: Find an RCMP Detachment
• Calgary Police Service (Non-emergency): 403-266-1234
• Edmonton Police Service (Non-emergency): 780-423-4567
• U.S. Consulate General Calgary (for American citizens): Official Website