Yes. If you are getting your first passport or you cannot renew your existing passport, you will need to provide proof of your Canadian citizenship. You must provide the original document, not a photocopy. If you were born in Canada, you can provide one of: birth certificate (long or short form issued by the province or territory where you were born) Canadian citizenship certificate If you were born outside of Canada, you can provide one of: Canadian citizenship certificate certificate of naturalization certificate of registration of birth abroad certificate of retention of Canadian citizenship Note, the Government of Canada will only accept laminated proof of citizenship documents if the issuing authority laminated it. They will not accept the document if you laminated it yourself. If you apply in person, the officer will verify your document and give it back to you right away. If you apply by mail, you must include the document with your application, and the Government of Canada will mail it back to you. You do not need to provide proof of Canadian citizenship if you are renewing your passport. Last Reviewed: June 2023