Good news for Canadian expats: a new simplified passport renewal system will become active as of September 17.
The shorter, simpler form does not require a guarantor or citizenship or identity documents.
To be eligible for simplified renewal you must have been at least 16 years old at the time of your previous application. You must submit a previous Canadian passport that was valid for five years; is not damaged; was never reported lost or stolen; and has not been expired for over a year.
For the new renewal process, you need only provide a completed Simplified Renewal Passport Application form (PPTC 482); your most recent passport; the required fee; and two recent photos (these need not be signed by anyone, but the name and address of the photographer or studio, as well as the date the photos were taken, must be provided on the back of one photo).
As of spring 2013, Canada will also begin issuing 5- and 10-year (the 10-year validity is new) ePassports for Canadians. There will also be a change in fees. To download the simplified application form or for more information visit www.passportcanada.gc.ca/info/ren.aspx?lang=eng.