Important Due to Covid-19, processing times for passports are taking longer than normal for both standard and expedited services.

Can I renew my US passport while retaining my Canadian citizenship?

Question: I'm 28 years old, born in the US and am a Canadian citizen living in Canada. My US passport was last renewed at the age of 5.


1. I would like to renew my US passport and not sure how to do so. Please advise.

2. I would also like to know if I can retain my Canadian citizenship as well after renewing my US passport; i.e. would I be able to have dual citizenship? If so, what steps do I need to take?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: The U.S. and Canada allow for dual citizenship. You only lose U.S. citizenship if you voluntarily relinquish it. This requires you complete a form and pay a fee. If you did not do this, then you probably have dual citizenship and can possess passports from both countries. You should use a valid U.S. passport to enter the United States and a valid Canadian passport to enter Canada.

Since your U.S. passport was issued when you were a minor, you must appear in person in order to apply for a new one. You can do this at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate general. Below if a list of locations.

• Canada: Ottawa

• Canada: Calgary

• Canada: Halifax

• Canada: Montreal

• Canada: Quebec

• Canada: Toronto

• Canada: Vancouver

• Canada: Winnipeg

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US Passport renewal - Dual citizenship
by: Jimmy

Question: I am US-born. I am a U.S. and Canadian citizen. My U.S. passport is expiring. Do I need to renew my U.S. passport or I can simply travel to the U.S. on my Canadian passport?

Answer: You are required my law to enter and depart the United States using your U.S. passport. If it will expire before your trip to the U.S., you need to renew your passport before traveling.

You can do this via mail or at the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. Consulate in Canada.

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COVID-19 UPDATE: Mailing delays are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 8 and 11 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 5 to 7 weeks exluding mailing times on the front and back end. Mailing delays may be significant so requesting 1-2-day mailing may greatly help.

Regional passport agencies are offering extremely limited in-person services if you need to travel internationally in the next 5 business days. Those with qualified life-or-death emergencies are prioritized.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 5 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:

Mondays through Fridays 8 AM to 5PM, call ET 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, 202-647-4000

You can schedule your appointment up to 2 weeks before your international travel but the date of your appointment must be within 5 business days of your international travel. If you need a foreign visa, the date of your appointment must be within 10 business days of your international travel.

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