Government of Canada services and information in Panama City, Panama
Services and information provided to Canadians by the Embassy of Canada to Panama, in Panama City.
On this page
- Adoption and surrogacy
- Birth abroad
- Citizenship services
- Criminal record checks
- Marriage abroad
- Notarial services
- Passport services
- Pensions and retirement
- Same-sex marriage abroad
- Studying abroad
- Visa and immigration services
- Voting abroad
Adoption and surrogacy
Refer to .
Adoption:
Central authority for adoption cases in Panama is the National Secretary of Children, Youth and Family under the Ministry of Social Development.
Adoption is possible for Panamanian and foreign adoptive parents and may be granted to married or common-law couples, opposite-sex couples or single adults who meet the requirements of the law.
Surrogacy:
Although surrogacy is available in Panama, there are no laws to support intended parents if something goes wrong.
Anyone pursuing reproductive assistance abroad should contact lawyers and clinics directly to confirm the current status in that country and any legal restrictions that might apply.
Birth abroad
Refer to .
.
Citizenship services
Complete your before booking an appointment by email at panamcs@international.gc.ca.
Appointments are available during office hours and may be requested by email.
Payment method
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Details | Fee (CAD) |
---|---|
Application for a Citizenship Certificate for adults and minors (Proof of Citizenship) | 75.00 |
Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship | 100.00 |
Replacement / Update of proof of Canadian citizenship | 75.00 |
Application for a Search of Citizenship Records | 75.00 |
Criminal record checks
All requests for certified criminal record checks from Canada must go through the . The C-216C RCMP fingerprinting form can be requested digitally at the Canadian Embassy in Panama at panamcs@international.gc.ca.
The embassy/consulates of Canada have no control over the process and cannot answer questions or expedite the process.
Marriage abroad
Refer to .
Foreigners can be married in Panama. .
Notarial services
The office provides the following notarial services, to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada. Note: Documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by an official translation in English or French.
Appointments are available during office hours and may be requested by email. Our office hours are from Monday to Friday 8:30am to 12:00pm. Check our office closures before you book an appointment by email at panamcs@international.gc.ca.
Authentication/Attestation (certify the document signature, the position of an official and the seal are genuine):
- Documents issued in Canada must be authenticated by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ in Ottawa before the office will certify the documents (fees apply).
- Witness a signature on a Statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad form (fees apply).
- Clients requiring information about authenticating documents while outside of Canada, refer to Authentication of documents.
Certified copy (certify the document is a true copy of the original):
- Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
- Government-issued identification requiring a certified true copy (fees apply).
Witness a signature (consular officer witnesses a signature):
- Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
- Government-issued identification requiring a witnessed signature (fees apply).
Note: Complete all documents before booking an appointment. Sign all documents in front of the consular officer.
Driver’s license information
Tourists visiting Panama may drive with a valid driver’s license from their home country for a period of 90 days. Legal residents must apply for a Panamanian driver’s license with , which is the entity in charge of issuing local driver’s licenses.
To request a Panamanian driver’s license:
- You will require a letter from the Embassy certifying the validity of the license. To get this:
- Book an appointment by email at panamcs@international.gc.ca
- Submit requirements to the Embassy by courier on a sealed envelope
- Drop-off in person a sealed envelope
- Must include inside the envelope the following requirements: your valid and original Canadian driver’s license, a copy of your Canadian passport bio page and copy of Panamanian residency ID in order to issue an authentication letter. Expired licenses or notarized copies are not accepted, only the original license.
- Complete the (PDF only available to print, complete legibly and sign) and include it within your sealed envelope.
- The letter from the Embassy must be authenticated by local authorities. Please visit the to make an appointment and for the steps you need to follow. For more information please call + 507 504-9392/511-4045/511-4046 or email them to autenticaciones@mire.gob.pa
- Obtain proof of your blood type. Please visit official site for the list of
- At the time of your visit, you will be required to take a vision and hearing test at the Sertracen office. Additionally, you must provide:
- Panamanian residency documents
- original and valid passport
- original and valid Canadian driver’s licence
- authenticated document
- a proof of blood type
Please visit the for more information about locations and complete steps to follow.
Payment method
Credit Card Payment only.
Complete the .
Details | Fee (CAD) |
---|---|
Administering an oath or receiving a statutory declaration or affirmation. The fee shown is per document. | 50.00 |
Attesting any document bearing a signature (affidavit, declaration, affirmation, etc.). The fee shown is per document. | 50.00 |
Authenticating (witnessing) a signature. The fee shown is per document. | 50.00 |
Authenticating the signature and seal of a foreign authority. The fee shown is per document. | 50.00 |
Authenticating signatures of Canadian authorities or notaries. | 50.00 |
Certifying a true copy of a document. The fee shown is per copy. | 20.00 |
Authentication of a Canadian Driver License | 50.00 |
Passport services
Refer to our Service fees section to pay online before completing your .
Book an appointment by email at panamcs@international.gc.ca to present your documents in person.
Payment method
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Details | Fee (CAD) |
---|---|
10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | 260.00 |
5-year adult passport (age 16 or over) | 190.00 |
5-year Child passport (0-15 years of age) | 100.00 |
Additional fee for replacing a valid lost or stolen passport | 45.00 |
Pensions and retirement
Refer to and .
Same-sex marriage abroad
Panamanian law does not allow same-sex marriages
Studying abroad
Refer to and .
Visa and immigration services
Refer to .
- .
- Find a to book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
- Submit an enquiry using the to contact a visa office.
Permanent residents of Canada: Find out how to apply .
Voting abroad
Refer to .
- Date modified: