Finding a guarantor to sign my infant's passport photo

[mcgyver]

Hello readers,

My wife and I are permanent residents and living in Ontario. We have recently had a baby in Ontario and his birth certificate has arrived. So, we are thinking about applying for his Canadian passport.

Since we are not Canadian citizens yet, it seems that none of us could sign his passport photos as a guarantor.

The Passport Canada website mentions two options for a guarantor:
[optionA] guarantor who is a Canadian citizen
[optionB] occupation-based guarantor (such as, Judge/Magistrate, Justice of Peace, Notary public, Police officer, Practicing lawyer, Registered Pharmacist, Signing officer of a bank, Veterinary surgeon)

However, could anyone kindly confirm whether we could sign our son's photos or not?

 

[IXIA150]

Hi

Firstly, Congratulations on the baby.

I am permanent resident myself and had your situation.

1- The guarantor must be a CANADIAN CITIZEN. That said, neither you or your wife can sign as a guarantor.
2- If you know any Canadian citizen for at least 2 years. This can be a colleague from work, friend, neighbour, anyone who knows you for at least two years and Canadian.

If you don't have any Canadian knows you for at least 2 years, then complete form PPTC 132 "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" available from any passport office or by telephone. The form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorised by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration.
You can request this form and fill it at any City Hall in the city you are residing. when you go to the city hall ask for a "commissioner vote".
In this case, you will need to provide two contacts as references. They don't need to be Canadian citizens. They must know you at least for two years. It's preferable they are living in Canada ( i.e. on a work permit, or PR or students ) for fast process.However, if you don't have anyone inside Canada, you can provide any two references from any country but the process will take longer because then the embassy of Canada in the country where they are from, will contact them to verify their relation and awareness of you.

Make sure they are aware they'll be contacted. they will be asked questions like;
if they know you. since when. from where. your birthdate. address.

Hope this helps.

All information could be found here cic.gc.ca/english/passport/child/apply-how.asp
Guarantor information is here cic.gc.ca/english/passport/apply/guarantor-reference.asp

 

[alphazip]

when you go to the city hall ask for a "commissioner vote".

I think you mean "commissioner of oaths," more formally known as a "commissioner for taking affidavits."

http://www.dynamiclegalforms.com/commissioner-of-oaths-commissioner-for-taking-affidavits-in-ontario/21/

 

[mcgyver]

Thanks to all for having confirmed what I suspected. Yes, my close friend is a Canadian who knows me for years. So, I will request him to be the guarantor.

 

[fotkifolkslove]

What is the difference here?

[optionA] guarantor who is a Canadian citizen
[optionB] occupation-based guarantor (such as, Judge/Magistrate, Justice of Peace, Notary public, Police officer, Practicing lawyer, Registered Pharmacist, Signing officer of a bank, Veterinary surgeon)

Is the option B anyone who works on such occupation and not required to be canadian?