Lost or Damaged
Passport

It depends on the extent of the damage. A lightly wet passport that has dried without warping and where all text and the machine-readable zone are still clear may still be usable. A passport that has been fully soaked, has pages stuck together, or where the chip or photo page is damaged will need to be replaced before you travel. Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we’ll assess it honestly before any fees are committed.

No. Once a passport has been reported lost or stolen to the passport authority, it is flagged as invalid in the system — even if it is physically recovered and undamaged. Attempting to use a cancelled passport at a border can result in it being confiscated and may cause serious difficulties. You must continue with the replacement application. Contact us and we’ll advise on how to proceed efficiently given your updated situation.

For both the Sri Lanka High Commission and IRCC, the police report should include your full name, the date the loss or theft was reported, and the passport number (if known). Some authorities also require the report to note the country or jurisdiction where the passport was lost. We advise you on what to request from the police when you file the report — getting this right the first time avoids having to return for a corrected report.

No. Canada does not charge a penalty fee for a lost or stolen passport. The replacement fee is the same as a standard renewal — CAD 160 for a 10-year adult passport. The only additional requirement is a police report confirming the loss. We advise you on completing and submitting everything correctly so the process is as straightforward as a normal renewal.

The same as a standard renewal — 6 to 10 weeks from submission to the High Commission. Processing happens in Colombo after the High Commission forwards the application. There is no standard expedited processing for Sri Lankan passport replacements from Canada. If you need to travel urgently, see our Emergency Passport page — the High Commission may be able to issue a temporary Emergency Travel Document for genuine emergencies.

The process is the same as replacing an adult passport — police report, application form, photos, and supporting documents — but the child’s replacement form is different (PPTC 153 for Canadian passports, or the equivalent SL High Commission form). For Canadian replacements, children must always apply in person at a Service Canada or Passport Canada office — mail-in is not available for minors. Both parents must sign the parental consent form unless a court order establishes sole custody. We prepare the complete package for you.

Start with the police report first — one report can cover both passports. Then notify the Sri Lanka High Commission (613-247-1865) and report the lost Canadian passport to Passport Canada (1-800-567-6868 or online). After that, contact us — we handle the replacement applications for both passports simultaneously and advise on the right order and timing. Having both underway at the same time is usually the most efficient approach.

For a Sri Lankan replacement passport from Canada, the fee is USD 100 (same as renewal) — or USD 130 if the application must be treated as a new passport due to the original being unverifiable. For a Canadian replacement, the fee is CAD 160 for a 10-year adult passport and CAD 100 for a 5-year child passport — same as a renewal. There is no penalty fee for lost passports in either system. All fees are government fees paid directly to the issuing authority — our service fee is separate and quoted clearly during your free consultation.