Canadian Documents

On July 1, 2013, a number of Canadian travel documents were updated to ePassport formats. These documents share many security features that make them even more tamper-proof, including:

• An electronic chip embedded in the back cover stores the photo, a digital security feature that proves the passport was issued by the government of Canada, and the same personal information shown on Page 2 of the passport (except for the signature).
• New images in the inside pages celebrate Canada and serve as extra security features.

The A1 Series Regular ePassport is a 36-page passport issued to Canadian citizens for occasional travel, such as vacations and business trips. Adult applicants have the option of a 5- or 10-year ePassport for both first-time applications and renewals, while children’s ePassports are issued for a maximum of 5 years.

Diplomatic ePassports are issued to high-ranking Government of Canada officials and diplomats, as well as representatives and delegates of the Government of Canada to international governmental organizations and international conferences of a diplomatic nature. The validity period for this passport is determined by the issuing office.

Special ePassports are issued to people holding office, such as members of Parliament, Senators, members of provincial cabinets, and to people employed by the Government of Canada in a non-diplomatic capacity traveling on an official mission or to a post abroad. The validity period for this passport is determined by the issuing office.

Are issued to people in Canada with protected-person status, including Convention refugees and persons in need of protection. The document is endorsed for travel to all countries except the bearer’s country of citizenship. The validity period for this passport is determined by the issuing office.

Is issued to permanent residents of Canada who are not yet Canadian citizens, and who, although not considered to have refugee status in Canada, are otherwise stateless or unable for valid reason, to obtain a national passport or travel document from any source. The certificate of identity is not valid for travel to the bearer’s country of citizenship. The validity period for this passport is determined by the issuing office.

On August 31, 2017, the Canadian government began offering an observation noting that the holder’s sex should read as «X», defined as «unspecified». The observation and remark will be available temporarily, until the information can be printed directly on the biographical data page. During this time, Canadian travel and citizenship documents will continue to beat an «M» or «F» in the sex field.

Common Features
The 2013 version of the documents just presented share a number of security features. The common features are:
1. Variable size microprinting
2. Fine line Coat of Arms
3. Latent image
4. Positive and negative variable size microprinting.

Common features of the end pages also include:
1. Laser perforation (back page only)
2. Rainbow-printed background
3. Three-color intaglio 4.      Microprinting screen.

Biographical Data Page contains:
1. Laser perforation
2. Embedded page number in relief pattern
3. Intaglio latent image
4. Intaglio microprinting
5. Stock control number
6. Anti-copy linework
7. Microprinting
8. Intaglio dry emboss
9. Secondary greyscale image
10. Optically variable ink
11. Rainbow printed background
12. See-through register
13. Stock control number waves
14. Positive and negative variable size microprinting.

Laminate security features include:
1. Variable size text spiral
2. Modulation of relief text
3. Greyscale maple leaf
4. Fine line guilloche
5. Canadian national anthem in English and French microprinting
6. Brick pattern in various shapes
7. Positive and negative variable size microprinting.

The Emergency Travel Document (ETD) is issued by Canadian missions abroad and is valid for a single journey only. The validity period for this document is determined by the issuing office. Security features:
1. Watermark
2. Security fibers and planchettes
3. Fine line background
4. Microprinting
5. Letterpress numbering and 1D barcode
6. Affixed photo with overlapping ink stamp.

A Canadian visa is a verification that a Canadian consular office abroad has reviewed and granted a request from a citizen of that country to travel to a port of entry in Canada. Upon arrival, the foreign citizen will request permission to enter as a visitor or resident. A Canadian visa does NOT automatically permit entry into Canada. The inspecting immigration officer determines if the applicant may enter and for how long he/she may stay. This visa is a counterfoil-styled document that is attached to a foreign passport. The document does NOT contain a photograph.

On April 1, 2012 Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) began issuing a more secure version of the visa counterfoil. This enhanced counterfoil contains additional security features and no longer contains a security seal.

Visa Waiver Countries
Not all visitors to Canada need visas. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program that allows citizens of specific countries to travel to Canada for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.

IMM 1442
In February 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) began a national rollout of the single-page version IMM1442 generic secure form. This format is issued for:
1. Study permits
2. Work permits
3. Visitor records
4. Temporary resident permits.

As of February 1, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada stopped producing the plastic wallet-sized citizenship certificate card with photo.

The Certificate of Citizenship is an 8½ x 11 inch paper document that proves Canadian citizenship. Have:
1. Certificate number
2. Surname and first name (s)
3. Date of birth
4. Gender (male, female, or other gender)
5. Effective date of citizenship.

The Secure Certificate of Indian Status (Indian Status Card), is issued by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and allows access to certain federal programs and services.

This version contains:
1. Black and white photo
2. See-through window feature
3. First Nations OVD
4. Wave pattern and anti-copy linework
5. Microprinting
6. Tactile control number and birth year
7. 1D Bar codes (2 locations on back of card)
8. MRZ
9. A second version of this card is issued WITHOUT the MRZ and should not be used for US/Canada travel
10. Wildlife images
11. INAC Registration Number and Document ID Number.

The Permanent Resident Card was introduced in 2002 as an enhanced status document for permanent residents of Canada. The card design has been updated and the original version is being phased out. Older cards will remain valid until they expire.

Is a vital record that usually lists name at birth, date and place of birth, sex, name(s) of parent(s). In some countries, information about parents’ occupations, places of birth and more is recorded. Also includes weight at birth, and length at birth.

What are the challenges in examining birth certificates?

Examining birth certificates can be challenging because certificates are issued in multiple formats, there are a number of versions in circulation, a number of styles exist and certificates from non-Canadian jurisdictions vary greatly in version, format and materials. Many carry no security features.

There are multiple types and formats available:

• Secure paper format 
  1. Wallet size (short form) 
  2. File size
  3. Certified copy (long form).
• Polymer format
  1. Certificate with individual’s information only
  2. Certificate with parental information.     

What are some of the key elements found on Canadian birth certificates?
Canadian certificates should at least display: 1. Name of issuing agency (‘’keeper’’ of the original birth record) 
2. Coat of Arms or Brand
3. Birth number
4. Issue date.

NOTE: The birth certificate should always bear an issue date. If the issue/filing date is more than one year after the birth date, the examiner should ask why. Oftentimes, it is discovered during a child’s first school enrollment process that the birth was not originally registered.

Should a birth certificate contain an embossed seal?
Certified copies (long forms) of the extract of birth registration will contain a seal from the issuing agency of the province of territory. Wallet and file size do not have embossed seals. Always ensure that the name on the seal matches the name of the agency on the document.

What about British Columbia birth numbers?
British Columbia used an alpha numeric numbering system for a period time. The birth number begins with an alpha to indicate the year, followed by the jurisdiction code and registration number.

 ‘A’ = 1989, ‘B’ = 1990, ‘C’ = 1991, ‘D’ = 1992, ‘E’ = 1993

Holders of these certificates may, but are not required to, replace these certificates for those bearing standardized numbers.

The New Canadian Birth Certificate should contain:
Individual’s information (short form)
1. Name
2. Date and place of birth
3. Sex
4. Registration date
5. Registration number.

Parental information (long form)
1. Adds Parent(s) name(s) to the list above.

Security features
1. Polymer material
2. Clear window feature
3. Watermark
4. Intaglio printing
5. Rainbow printing
6. Latent image
7. Anti-copy linework
8. Color shifting window
9. Color shifting ink.

Data encoding feature
1. 1D and/or 2D bar codes.

Key elements
1. Provincial/territorial coat of arms/brand
2. Provincial/territorial title
3. Authorizing signature.  

What are the challenges in authenticating these documents?
1. The material used to make the document differs by jurisdiction.
2. The security features present differ by jurisdiction.
3. There are many different versions of each jurisdiction in circulation.
4. There is a criminal industry built upon supplying fraudulent driver’s licenses and id cards.

Minor’s licenses: In Canada, the driving age varies by province, as does the age of majority. A number of provinces distinguish minor operators by displaying certain information on the license. In this example from British Columbia, a minor’s license is labeled under the primary photo with «Under 19 Until: (date)».

DND implemented a replacement to its paper driver’s license, known as the DND 404, with a new photo license. DND is the only federal department authorized by law to issue its own driver’s licenses to qualified Canadian Forces personnel, DND civilian employees, and Allied forces assigned to DND. DND 404 meets Canadian Driver’s License Agreement standards and is comparable in type and quality to provincial driver’s licenses throughout Canada.

There are three major types of vehicle identification documents used in Canada:
1. New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS)
2. Registration
3. IRP (International Registration Plan) Registration Card
Not all jurisdictions use or issue every one of these documents.

New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS)
The New Vehicle Information Statement is issued by the vehicle manufacturer at the ‘’birth’’ of the vehicle. It is comparable to the Certificate of Origin (MCO) issued in the United States- NVISs are used to prove the origin of the vehicle and will contain specific characteristics and identifying information about the vehicle. In some instances, the jurisdiction may provide these forms to the manufacturer, but it is the manufacturer who issues the document to accompany the vehicle they have manufactured.

NVIS fraud may also be hard to detect because:
1. There are multiple issuing manufacturers.
2. There is no national legal requirement for NVIS forms to be secure or uniform.
3. There are many different ways in which a NVIS may be altered.

Data fields most commonly altered on a NVIS are:
1. Odometer reading
2. VIN
3. Dealer information.

Registration
A Registration is used to prove ownership of the vehicle as well as compliance with provincial taxation requirements. The document contains identifying information about the vehicle but does NOT contain an odometer reading.

Registration fraud may be difficult to detect because:
1. Security features differ by jurisdiction.
2. There are different ways in which a Registration document may be altered.
3. This document may NOT be printed on secure paper.

Data fields most commonly altered on registrations are:
1. Pertinent vehicle information
2. Owner information
3. Control document number.

International Registration Plan (IRP) Registration Cards
IRP registration cards CANNOT be used as the sole basis of ownership in the purchase or sale of a commercial motor vehicle. However, when reviewing an IRP Registration Card, it is important to check for alterations which attempt to allow a commercial vehicle to operate in unauthorized jurisdictions or conditions.