How to Change the Sex or Gender Identifier on a Canadian Passport to F, M or X
Canadian citizens can request F, M or X in the sex field of a passport. Learn when you need a new passport instead of a renewal, when Form PPTC 643 is required, what supporting documents to provide and the current 2026 passport fees.
CA Canada
Documents & Identity ~ 10 min read
16 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-27
Helpydo structures practical guidance around official or public sources. For individual cases, confirm requirements with the responsible institution.
To change the F, M or X sex or gender identifier on an adult Canadian passport, you must apply for a new passport rather than use the simplified renewal process. Canada allows F for female, M for male and X for another gender. If your proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of immigration status or previous passport already shows the identifier you want, no separate gender identifier form is required. If those documents do not show the identifier you want, include Form PPTC 643 with the new passport application. You do not need PPTC 643 if a previous passport or Verification of Status document has Canada's older X observation sticker. For applications submitted in Canada on or after March 31, 2026, the regular adult passport fee is $122.50 for 5 years or $163.50 for 10 years.
What you need
- You must be eligible for a Canadian passport and submit a new passport application if you are changing the F, M or X identifier from the identifier on your most recent passport.
- You need proof of Canadian citizenship for a new adult passport application.
- You need at least one valid document supporting your identity.
- You need 2 identical passport photos that meet current Passport Program requirements.
- You need an eligible guarantor for a new adult passport application.
- You need 2 eligible references.
- If your current Canadian passport or other Canadian travel document is still valid, include it with the new passport application.
- If your supporting documents already show the F, M or X identifier you want, no additional gender identifier documentation is required.
- If your supporting documents do not show the identifier you want, complete and sign Form PPTC 643, Request - Sex or gender identifier - Adult 16 years of age or older.
- You do not need PPTC 643 if your previous passport or Verification of Status document has an X observation sticker.
Eligibility
Canadian passports allow 3 identifiers in the sex field: F for female, M for male and X for another gender. An adult Canadian citizen can request one of these identifiers when applying for a new passport.
If you want the same gender identifier already printed in your most recent eligible adult passport, you may qualify for passport renewal if you meet all the other renewal conditions. If you want to change the gender identifier, you cannot use the adult passport renewal process and must submit a new passport application.
The supporting-document rule determines whether PPTC 643 is necessary. If your proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of immigration status or previous passport already carries the requested identifier, you do not need the form. If the supporting documents show a different identifier or no identifier, include PPTC 643. A previous X observation sticker also counts as X for this purpose.
How to do it
- Choose the identifier you want printed in the passport: F, M or X.
- Check your most recent passport. If you are changing its gender identifier, do not use the simplified passport renewal process; prepare a new adult passport application.
- Check your proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of immigration status and previous passport to see whether one of them already shows the identifier you want.
- If one of the accepted supporting documents already shows the requested identifier, follow the new adult passport process without adding PPTC 643.
- If none of the accepted supporting documents shows the requested identifier, complete and sign Form PPTC 643 and include it with your passport application. You do not need this form if a previous passport or Verification of Status document has an X observation sticker.
- Gather the documents required for a new adult passport: proof of Canadian citizenship, identity document, 2 compliant photos, guarantor information, 2 references and any valid Canadian passport or travel document currently in your name.
- Complete the current new adult passport application form and have your guarantor complete the required declarations, certify one photo and sign any identity-document photocopies where required.
- Pay the applicable passport fee. In Canada, applications received on or after March 31, 2026 cost $122.50 for a 5-year adult passport or $163.50 for a 10-year adult passport.
- Submit the complete new passport application using an available Passport Program or Service Canada submission method.
- Check the new passport as soon as it arrives to confirm that the requested F, M or X identifier is printed correctly.
- Before international travel with an X identifier, check the entry and transit requirements of every destination because Canada does not guarantee that foreign border authorities or travel systems will recognize X.
Which sex or gender identifiers can appear on a Canadian passport?
The Canadian Passport Program currently offers 3 choices in the passport's sex field:
- F for female;
- M for male;
- X for another gender.
The Government of Canada explains these choices on its passport gender identifier page.
Can you change the gender identifier by renewing your passport?
No. If you want a different gender identifier from the one shown on your most recent passport, you must apply for a new adult passport.
Canada's adult renewal rules require the new passport to have the same name, date of birth, place of birth and gender identifier as the previous passport. If any of those renewal conditions is not met, the renewal application is not the correct process.
You can confirm this rule with the Passport Program's adult passport renewal eligibility rules.
What if your existing passport has an X observation sticker?
Canada previously used an X observation sticker for some people who requested X.
The Passport Program states that a passport with the X observation sticker is treated the same as a passport with X printed in the sex field. If you want X again and otherwise meet the renewal conditions, that sticker can satisfy the same-gender-identifier renewal rule.
When is Form PPTC 643 required?
You need Form PPTC 643 when the identifier you want does not match the gender identifier shown on the accepted documents supporting your application.
The form is called Request - Sex or gender identifier - Adult 16 years of age or older.
PPTC 643 asks you to identify the F, M, X or blank value shown on your supporting document and then select the F, M or X identifier you want on the Canadian travel document.
When do you not need Form PPTC 643?
You do not need PPTC 643 if an accepted supporting document already shows the identifier you want.
Canada accepts the gender identifier shown on:
- proof of Canadian citizenship;
- proof of immigration status, where applicable;
- a previous passport.
You also do not need the request form if your previous passport or Verification of Status document has an X observation sticker and you want X on the new document.
What documents do you need for the new passport application?
Because changing the identifier makes you ineligible for simplified renewal, you need the supporting material required for a new adult passport application.
For an application in Canada, prepare:
- proof of Canadian citizenship;
- at least one valid identity document;
- 2 identical passport photos;
- an eligible guarantor;
- 2 references;
- your valid Canadian passport or other Canadian travel document, if you currently have one;
- PPTC 643 if the supporting documents do not show the identifier you want.
The current requirements are listed on the new adult passport document checklist.
What proof of citizenship do you need?
A new adult passport application requires proof of Canadian citizenship. Depending on your circumstances, this can include a Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
A paper citizenship certificate must normally be submitted as the original. A citizenship e-certificate can be submitted as a printed copy according to Passport Program instructions.
Use the official proof of citizenship instructions before submitting the application.
What identification document can you use?
You need at least one valid document supporting your identity. It should normally show your name, date of birth, photo and signature and be issued by an appropriate government authority.
Examples can include a provincial or territorial driver's licence, health card where accepted, Canadian passport, foreign passport or other qualifying government identification.
If you submit photocopies, copy both sides and have your guarantor or signing official sign and date them as required by the Passport Program.
Do you need a guarantor and new passport photos?
Yes. A new adult passport application requires a guarantor and 2 identical passport photos.
Your guarantor must sign the application and one passport photo and must sign and date supporting identity-document photocopies where required.
You also need 2 references who meet the Passport Program requirements. This is one of the practical differences between a full new passport application and a simplified renewal.
How much does it cost to change the gender identifier in 2026?
There is no separate fee for selecting F, M or X or for submitting PPTC 643. You pay the normal fee for the new passport.
For adult applications made in Canada and received on or after March 31, 2026:
| Passport | 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| 5-year adult passport | CAD $122.50 |
| 10-year adult passport | CAD $163.50 |
Optional urgent, express, replacement and other services can have additional charges. Check the official passport fee schedule before submitting your application.
Can you apply online to change the identifier?
The Passport Program's online service is currently designed for eligible adult passport renewals. A person changing the gender identifier does not meet the renewal requirement because the new passport would contain different personal information.
You therefore follow the new adult passport application process, using the submission method available for a new passport application.
How long does the new passport take?
For regular applications submitted in Canada, current Passport Program service standards are:
- 10 business days when submitted in person at a passport office or a Service Canada Centre offering 10-day processing;
- 20 business days when submitted at a regular Service Canada Centre or by mail.
Mailing time is not included. Processing can also take longer if the Passport Program needs corrections, additional documents, replacement photos, verification or security checks.
Check the official passport service standards before making firm travel arrangements.
Do you need medical proof or a court order?
PPTC 643 itself does not require you to provide a medical diagnosis, medical procedure or court order simply to request an identifier that differs from your supporting documents.
The form asks which identifier appears on the supporting record and which identifier you want on your Canadian travel document, followed by your signed declaration.
You still need to satisfy the normal proof of citizenship and identity requirements for the passport application itself.
Can you travel normally with an X passport?
Canada issues passports with X, but Canada cannot guarantee that every foreign government or travel system will recognize it.
Some countries and travel companies may still require a traveller to select male or female in their systems. Before travelling, confirm the rules of every country you will visit or transit through.
The Government of Canada recommends checking with the relevant embassy, high commission or consulate and reviewing official Canadian travel advice.
Does changing F, M or X also change your name or other records?
No. The gender identifier request controls the sex field on the travel document. It does not automatically change your legal name, citizenship record, provincial identification or other government records.
If you also need a different name, date of birth or place of birth on the passport, follow the separate supporting-document rules for that change as part of the full passport application.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Submitting a simplified renewal when you want a different F, M or X identifier from the one on your previous passport.
- Including PPTC 643 unnecessarily when an accepted supporting document already shows the identifier you want.
- Forgetting PPTC 643 when none of the accepted supporting documents shows the requested identifier.
- Assuming an existing X observation sticker is different from a printed X for this purpose.
- Submitting the new passport application without proof of Canadian citizenship because you previously held a passport.
- Forgetting the guarantor, 2 references or compliant photos required for a full new adult passport application.
- Paying an outdated passport fee after the March 31, 2026 fee increase.
- Assuming that every destination country will recognize the X identifier without checking its entry and transit rules.
Gender identifier change checklist
- Choose F, M or X.
- Confirm that changing the identifier means you need a new adult passport rather than a renewal.
- Check whether your proof of citizenship, immigration status or previous passport already shows the identifier you want.
- If it does not, complete and sign PPTC 643.
- If your previous passport or Verification of Status has an X observation sticker and you want X, do not add PPTC 643 solely for that reason.
- Gather proof of Canadian citizenship.
- Gather valid supporting identification.
- Get 2 compliant passport photos.
- Find an eligible guarantor.
- Provide 2 eligible references.
- Include your current valid Canadian passport or travel document if applicable.
- Choose a 5-year or 10-year adult passport.
- Pay the current passport fee.
- Submit the complete new passport application.
- Check the F, M or X field when the new passport arrives.
- If travelling with X, verify destination and transit-country requirements before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the gender identifier on my Canadian passport?
Yes. Canadian passports can show F for female, M for male or X for another gender.
Can I renew my passport and change from M to F or F to M?
No. If you want a different gender identifier from the one on your most recent passport, the Passport Program requires a new adult passport application rather than the renewal process.
Can I change my Canadian passport from F or M to X?
Yes. You can request X. If your accepted supporting documents do not already show X, include Form PPTC 643 with the new passport application.
What is Form PPTC 643?
PPTC 643 is the adult Request - Sex or gender identifier form. It is used when the F, M or X identifier you want on the travel document differs from the identifier shown on your supporting documents.
Do I always need PPTC 643 to change the gender on a passport?
No. If your proof of citizenship, proof of immigration status or previous passport already shows the identifier you want, you do not need the form.
Do I need PPTC 643 if my old passport has an X observation sticker?
No. Canada treats the X observation sticker as equivalent to having X printed in the passport for this purpose.
Do I need medical documents to request X on my Canadian passport?
PPTC 643 does not require medical proof simply to request F, M or X that differs from the supporting document. You still need the normal proof of citizenship and identity required for the passport application.
Do I need a new passport application to change the sex field?
Yes. A change to the F, M or X identifier makes you ineligible for simplified passport renewal, so you must use the full new adult passport process.
How much does it cost to change the gender identifier on a passport in Canada in 2026?
There is no separate gender-change fee. For applications in Canada received on or after March 31, 2026, a regular adult passport costs $122.50 for 5 years or $163.50 for 10 years.
Do I need proof of Canadian citizenship again if I already have a passport?
Yes when you must use the new adult passport process. A full new passport application requires proof of Canadian citizenship.
Do I need a guarantor when changing the passport gender identifier?
Yes. Because changing the identifier requires a new adult passport application rather than renewal, the normal guarantor requirement applies.
Do I need references when changing F, M or X on my passport?
Yes. A new adult passport application requires 2 eligible references.
How long does a new passport take when changing the gender identifier?
In Canada, the regular service standard is 10 business days at a passport office or qualifying Service Canada Centre offering 10-day processing, and 20 business days at a regular Service Canada Centre or by mail. Mailing time is extra.
Can I change the gender identifier on a passport online?
The online passport service is for eligible renewals. Because changing the gender identifier requires a new passport application, use the full new adult passport process instead.
Will every country accept a Canadian passport with X?
Not necessarily. Canada warns that some foreign border authorities and travel systems may not recognize X. Check destination and transit-country requirements before travelling.
Does changing the gender identifier on my passport change my other government records?
No. Changing the passport sex field does not automatically update your name, citizenship record, provincial ID or other government records.
Official sources
Choose or update the gender identifier on your passport or travel documentPPTC 643 Request - Sex or gender identifier - Adult 16 years of age or olderCheck if you can renew your passport in CanadaApply for a new adult passport in CanadaWhat you need to apply for a new adult passport in CanadaHow to show proof of Canadian citizenship for an adult passportDocuments to support your identity for a new adult passportPassport and travel document fee changes effective March 31, 2026Canadian passport service standardsPassport photo requirementsRelated procedures
Useful next steps and closely related guides for Canada.
Others were interested in
Other practical guides people exploring this topic may find useful.