Navigating Passport Applications: Guarantor vs Statutory Declaration Explained
- Jul 5
- 5 min read
Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor — PPTC 132: What It Is and When You Need It?
Clients often come to our office confused about the guarantor section on Canadian passport applications. This is understandable. Some passport forms mention that a guarantor can be a notary public, lawyer, or lawyer/notary, while other passport instructions say the guarantor must be someone who has known the applicant personally for at least two years and has a Canadian passport.
This blog explains the difference in plain language.
1. What is a passport guarantor?
A passport guarantor is someone who confirms your identity for Passport Canada. Your guarantor may be contacted by the Passport Program to confirm information about you.
For a regular Canadian passport application, the guarantor usually has to:
know you personally for at least two years;
be available if Passport Canada contacts them;
confirm that the information in your application is true;
sign the guarantor section of the passport application;
sign the back of one passport photo; and
in some cases, sign copies of your identification documents.
The guarantor is not simply witnessing your signature. The guarantor is confirming that they know you and can verify your identity.
2. Why do some passport forms say a guarantor can be a notary public or lawyer?
This is where many people get confused.
Some Canadian passport application forms, especially forms used for Canadians applying from the United States or from outside Canada, list certain professionals as possible “occupation-based guarantors.” These may include:
notary public;
lawyer or notary;
judge;
medical doctor;
dentist;
pharmacist;
police officer;
veterinarian;
dean or head of a university or college; and
certain bank or trust company signing officers.
However, this does not mean that any notary public or lawyer can automatically sign as your guarantor.
The professional must still meet the requirements of the form. Most importantly, the guarantor must generally have known you personally for at least two years and must be able to confirm your identity.
In other words: a notary or lawyer is not a “shortcut” around the guarantor requirement.
3. Can a notary public or lawyer act as my guarantor in Canada?
Usually, not just because they are a notary or lawyer.
For regular passport applications submitted in Canada, the guarantor is usually someone who:
is a Canadian citizen;
is 18 years of age or older;
holds a valid 5-year or 10-year Canadian passport, or one that has been expired for no more than one year;
was at least 16 years old when they applied for that passport; and
has known you personally for at least two years.
A lawyer or notary public can act as your guarantor only if they meet the applicable guarantor requirements. Their professional title alone does not make them your guarantor for an ordinary Canadian passport application submitted in Canada.
4. What is PPTC 132?
PPTC 132 is called the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor for Canadians Applying for a Travel Document.
It is used when you cannot find an eligible guarantor.
Instead of having a regular guarantor complete the guarantor section of the passport application, the applicant completes a statutory declaration explaining that they cannot obtain an eligible guarantor. The declaration must be sworn or solemnly declared before someone authorized to administer oaths, such as a notary public, commissioner for oaths, or justice of the peace.
5. Is the notary public my guarantor when I use PPTC 132?
No.
This is an important distinction.
When you use PPTC 132, the notary public is not acting as your guarantor. The notary is administering your oath or solemn declaration. The notary does not need to have known you for two years. The notary is not personally guaranteeing your identity the way a guarantor would.
The notary’s role is to confirm your identity for the purpose of the declaration, witness you swear or solemnly declare the contents of the form, and sign/stamp the declaration as an authorized official.
6. Where do I get PPTC 132?
PPTC 132 is an official Passport Canada form, but it is not generally available online.
According to the Government of Canada, if you cannot find a guarantor, you must obtain the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form by:
visiting a passport service location in Canada;
contacting Passport Canada / Service Canada to request a copy;
going to the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate if you are in the United States; or
contacting the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate if you are outside Canada and the United States.
Because the form is not available online from the Government of Canada, clients should be careful about relying on old or third-party copies found on the internet. Passport forms change, and using an outdated version can delay your application.
7. When should I use PPTC 132?
You should use PPTC 132 only when you cannot find an eligible guarantor.
Common examples include:
you recently moved and do not know anyone who meets the guarantor requirements;
you are applying from abroad and cannot find an eligible guarantor in the area;
you do not know anyone who has known you personally for at least two years and meets the passport guarantor requirements;
your potential guarantor does not have the required Canadian passport; or
Passport Canada has told you that your proposed guarantor is not acceptable.
PPTC 132 is not for convenience. If you have an eligible guarantor, you should usually use the guarantor process. The statutory declaration route may cause delays because Passport Canada may need to conduct additional verification.
8. What should I bring to the notary appointment?
If you have obtained PPTC 132 from Passport Canada or a passport office, bring:
the original PPTC 132 form;
your passport application;
your government-issued photo identification;
any identity documents that Passport Canada requires;
your passport photos;
any instructions you received from Passport Canada; and
any copies of identification documents that need to be signed by the same official.
If you are using PPTC 132 and submitting copies of your identity documents, Passport Canada’s forms indicate that the same official who signs the declaration may also need to sign and date copies of both sides of the identity documents to confirm that the official has seen the originals.
9. In summary...
A guarantor is someone who knows you and confirms your identity.
A notary public or lawyer is not automatically your guarantor in Canada.
Some passport forms used outside Canada list notaries and lawyers as occupation-based guarantors, but they still generally need to know you personally for the required period.
If you cannot find an eligible guarantor, you may need PPTC 132, the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor.
PPTC 132 must be obtained from Passport Canada / Service Canada or a Canadian government office abroad. It is not generally available online from the Government of Canada.
When a notary signs PPTC 132, the notary is administering your oath or solemn declaration. The notary is not acting as your guarantor.
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