I don’t know what the passport regulations are link where you live, but here in Canada, getting a passport involved jumping through several difficult hoops. One of those was finding a guarantor to sign the passport — a professional of some sort (Doctor, engineer, etc.) who you’ve known well for at least two years and who would be willing to provide a reference for you. Sometimes it’s easy; other times, it’s a bit of a hassle.
But getting a passport in Canada is easier now than ever. Passport Canada has made changes and guarantors no longer have to be a professional to sign off on someone’s passport. Here are the requirements to be a guarantor:
- Be over 18 and a Canadian citizen
- Be a holder of a valid Canadian passport
- Have been 16 years or older when applied for their own passport
- And have known the applicant for at least two years.
I’m not sure if the new rules are good or not. It certainly eases my mind for when I have to renew my passport, but it seems like it almost makes it a little too easy to get a passport. Thoughts?