IMM 5604 is the IRCC form the parent who stays behind signs when a child immigrates to Canada. Who signs, why a notary public must witness it, one form per child, the ID copy, and what to do if a parent will not sign.
Last updated: October 13, 2026
IMM 5604: Declaration from a Non-Accompanying Parent or Guardian
Quick answer: IMM 5604 is the IRCC form a parent or guardian signs when their child under 18 is immigrating to Canada without them. The parent who stays behind, including a former spouse or former common-law partner, declares they have no objection to the child immigrating with the other parent or guardian, and acknowledges they may be permanently separated from the child. The form must be printed and signed by hand in front of a notary public, then sent to IRCC with a photocopy of the parent's ID. You need one form per child. A parent in Ontario can have it witnessed in person by Minute Notary on a mobile visit; a parent abroad signs in front of a notary public where they live. A notary witnesses the signature; IRCC decides the application.
This guide is for both sides of the form: the parent applying to move to Canada with a child, and the other parent, often in another country, who has been asked to sign. It covers what the form says, who needs it, how to fill it in, who may witness it, what to do when the other parent will not sign, and how it differs from IMM 5646 and a travel consent letter. If the parent who signs is in Ontario and you need a notary, contact us or call (613) 434-5555.
Key Takeaways
| Question | Answer | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Who signs? | The non-accompanying parent or guardian, including a former spouse or common-law partner | IMM 5604 (02-2023) |
| Who witnesses? | A notary public, with title, block-letter name, signature, date and professional stamp | IMM 5604, witness section |
| How many forms? | One per child | IMM 5604 |
| What goes with it? | A photocopy of a valid, legible ID; checklists ask for one that shows the signature | IMM 5604; IMM 5533; provincial nominee page |
| What if the other parent won't sign? | A court order, or proof of sole custody; the onus is on the applicant | IRCC instructions on dependent children |
| Online or in person? | In person: an Ontario notary cannot witness a signature by video | Notaries Act s. 3(3); LSO notice, Feb. 26, 2025 |
What IMM 5604 Says
The form's full name is Declaration from Non-accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors Immigrating to Canada. The current version is IMM 5604 (02-2023), a single page in English (IMM 5604 E) or French (IMM 5604 F). By signing it, the parent who is not coming:
- states they have no objections to the named child immigrating to Canada with the named parent or guardian, or with another person named in an optional section;
- confirms they understand they may be permanently separated from the child;
- acknowledges that if they later want to come to Canada themselves, they must meet the immigration rules in force at that time.
Despite the word "declaration", the form has no oath, affirmation or commissioner's jurat. The parent signs, and a notary public witnesses the signature. That decides how and where it can be signed.
Who Needs IMM 5604
It is for a child under 18 immigrating to Canada as a permanent resident without one of their parents or guardians. For example:
- Sponsoring a spouse or partner who has children. IRCC's Document Checklist: Spouse (IMM 5533) says that if a child under 18 will be issued an immigrant visa and your sponsor is not the child's other legal parent, you must complete IMM 5604 for each child and include a copy of an ID for the parent who signed it, showing that parent's signature.
- The provincial nominee class, outside Express Entry. IRCC's document page asks for IMM 5604 for each child when the other parent is not coming, with a copy of that parent's photo ID with signature, proof of full custody, and proof that the children can leave the court's jurisdiction.
- Permanent residence cases in general. IRCC's program delivery instructions on dependent children say non-accompanying parents or guardians and former spouses or common-law partners must complete IMM 5604 for each applicable child.
For any other program, your document checklist, or the list in your online application, tells you whether to include it. The IMM 5533 checklist also covers three common variations:
- The child is not coming now and will not be issued a visa: you do not need to submit the form.
- The other parent has died: provide a copy of the death certificate.
- You are divorced or separated from the other parent: also include any custody agreements that show the child is free to move to Canada.
How to Fill It In, Field by Field
IRCC's form page says to download the PDF on a computer (it may not open on a phone or tablet), open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader, then print the form and sign it by hand. Use the current version from canada.ca, not a copy saved from an earlier application.
| Field on the form | What goes there |
|---|---|
| "I, ..." | Full name of the parent or guardian who is not coming |
| Child's full name and date of birth | Exactly as on the child's passport or travel document; the date as YYYY-MM-DD |
| Parent/guardian full name and relationship (two lines) | The parent or guardian the child is immigrating with, as on their passport |
| Optional section | Only if the child is travelling with someone other than the parent or guardian above |
| Signature (before witness) and date | Leave blank until you are in front of the notary |
| Emergency contact telephone number and place | A number where the signer can be reached, and the place of signing |
| Witness section | Completed by the notary public |
If the parent signing does not read English or French well, have someone they trust explain the form before the appointment. They are confirming that they may be permanently separated from their child.
Who Witnesses It: A Notary Public
The form is explicit. The parent signs in front of the witness and presents their original identification card. The witness section is "to be completed by the witness (notary public)", and asks for the witness's title and full name in block letters, their signature, the date, and their professional chop or stamp.
A friend, relative or employer cannot be the witness unless they are a notary public, and neither can a commissioner for taking affidavits who is not also a notary. Our guides to the notary public and the commissioner of oaths and who can witness a signature in Ontario explain the difference.
What goes with the form. The form says the completed declaration and a photocopy of a valid and legible identity document must be submitted to IRCC. The IMM 5533 checklist and the provincial nominee page both ask for an ID that shows the parent's signature. The simplest approach is to copy the same ID you show the notary.
What a notary can and cannot do: A notary public checks the parent's original ID, watches the parent sign, and completes the witness section with their name, signature, date and seal. A notary does not decide custody, advise whether your application needs the form, explain what a custody order allows, or decide the application. For custody, see a family lawyer; for the application, an immigration lawyer or a licensed consultant (RCIC).
If the Other Parent Lives Outside Canada
If you are the parent being asked to sign and you live outside Canada:
- Get the current form from IRCC's IMM 5604 page, in English or French. Fill it in on a computer, print it, and leave the signature and date blank. One form per child.
- Find a notary public where you live. Tell them the form is for Canadian immigration and has its own witness section.
- Bring an original, valid ID that shows your photo and signature, such as a passport or national identity card, and a clear photocopy of it.
- Sign in front of the notary. Before you leave, check that the witness section is complete: title and full name in block letters, signature, date, and stamp or seal.
- Send the signed form and the ID copy to the parent who is applying, the way their checklist asks. For online applications, IRCC asks applicants to upload signed forms; keep the original safe in case IRCC asks for it.
Translations. If your ID or a custody document is not in English or French, IRCC's Help Centre says to send the English or French translation, an affidavit from the person who did the translation, and a certified photocopy of the original. Some checklists word it differently: IMM 5533 does not ask for the affidavit when the translator is a member in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial translators' organization. If the translator is in Canada, they can swear the affidavit of translation online.
Apostille. The form and the IRCC checklists we checked ask for a notary public's signature and stamp. None of them mentions an apostille or legalization. Follow your own checklist and any letter IRCC sends you.
Video. An Ontario notary cannot witness your signature over a video call (see "How the Signing Works with Minute Notary" below). You need a notary public where you are.
When the Other Parent Cannot or Will Not Sign
IRCC's program delivery instructions on dependent children set out the approach:
- The applicant is expected to make every reasonable effort to contact the other parent and get written consent.
- A court order is acceptable where the other parent is unwilling to consent.
- Where no consent is given, the onus is on the applicant to show sole custody, and that the other parent has no custody and no objection to the child leaving the country of origin.
- Where parents share custody, IRCC usually needs written confirmation from the other parent. A written agreement that says the child cannot move to Canada permanently has to be amended or replaced.
- Children subject to custody orders need proof that they may be removed from the court's jurisdiction.
The IMM 5533 checklist adds that if you cannot provide documents showing the other parent has no objection, you must give a detailed explanation, plus any other evidence you have.
These are custody questions, and family law differs from country to country. A notary cannot tell you whether a court order is enough or how to get one; speak with a family lawyer where the child lives. And never sign for the other parent: a notary only witnesses the signature of the person in front of them, with their own ID.
IMM 5604, IMM 5646 and a Travel Consent Letter
| IMM 5604 | IMM 5646 | Travel consent letter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is for | A child immigrating permanently without one parent | A minor international student with a custodian in Canada | A trip outside Canada without one or both parents |
| Who signs | The parent or guardian who is not coming | The custodian in Canada, and the parents abroad | Each parent or guardian who is not travelling |
| Required? | Where IRCC's checklist asks for it | Where IRCC requires a custodian | Not legally required in Canada, but recommended |
| Witness | A notary public, in person | Notarized; see our guide | Any adult; a notary public is strongly recommended |
| Our guide | This page | IMM 5646 custodianship | Consent letter for travel |
A travel consent letter does not replace IMM 5604. One is for a trip; the other is for a move.
How the Signing Works with Minute Notary
Why it is in person. IMM 5604 is a witnessed signature, not a sworn statement. Ontario lets affidavits and statutory declarations be commissioned by video (O. Reg. 431/20). Witnessing a signature as a notary is different: the Notaries Act lets a notary act without being in the person's physical presence only if regulations provide for it (s. 3(3)), and in its notice of February 26, 2025, the Law Society of Ontario said no such regulations have been made. IRCC's page also says to print the form and sign it by hand. So we witness IMM 5604 in person, on a mobile visit, for a parent who is in Ontario. Contact us to confirm your area.
- Prepare the forms. Fill in one form per child, print, and leave the signature and date blank. If you need printing, we can bring it at $0.40 per page (black and white).
- Get in touch. Contact us or call (613) 434-5555. Tell us how many forms there are and where you are.
- On the visit: you show your original government photo ID and sign each form while the notary watches. The notary completes the witness section on each form and applies their seal.
- After the visit: send a clear photocopy of the same ID with the signed forms to the parent who is applying.
Our signature witnessing and immigration documents pages cover the other immigration paperwork we handle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing before the notary is there. A notary cannot witness a signature already made; you would need a fresh copy.
- One form for two children. Each child needs their own.
- A witness who is not a notary public.
- Names that do not match the passports.
- Forgetting the ID copy, or copying an ID that does not show the signature.
- Treating a travel consent letter as IMM 5604.
Pricing
| Service | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| IMM 5604 signature witnessed (mobile visit, Ontario) | $24.95 per seal + $60 travel fee (up to 30 km from our nearest office in Ottawa or Toronto), once per trip | One seal per form; plus HST and card processing |
| Example: two children, two forms, one visit | $49.90 + $60 travel fee (up to 30 km from our nearest office in Ottawa or Toronto) | Plus HST and card processing |
| Printing on request | $0.40 per page | Black and white |
Note: each IMM 5604 has one signer, the parent who is not coming. The travel fee is charged once per trip, not once per form. It covers up to 30 km from our nearest office in Ottawa or Toronto; beyond that, an additional travel fee applies.
All fees are shown in full before you pay. See every posted rate on our pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IMM 5604?
IMM 5604 is IRCC's Declaration from Non-accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors Immigrating to Canada. The parent or guardian who is not coming, including a former spouse or former common-law partner, declares that they have no objection to their child immigrating with the named parent or guardian, and that they understand they may be permanently separated from the child. A notary public must witness it, and you need one form per child.
Who has to sign IMM 5604, and who witnesses it?
The non-accompanying parent or guardian signs it by hand, in front of the witness, after showing an original identification card. The form says the witness must be a notary public, who adds their title, full name in block letters, signature, date and professional stamp.
Do I need one IMM 5604 for each child?
Yes. The form says to complete one form per child immigrating to Canada without both parents or guardians. Two children means two forms, each signed and witnessed.
Can IMM 5604 be signed online or witnessed over video?
Not with an Ontario notary. IRCC says to print the form and sign it by hand, in front of the witness. Ontario's Notaries Act lets a notary act without being physically present only where regulations allow it, and the Law Society of Ontario said in February 2025 that none have been made. Minute Notary witnesses IMM 5604 in person, on a mobile visit.
The other parent lives abroad. Where do they sign?
In front of a notary public where they live, with the printed, unsigned form and an original ID showing their photo and signature. They then send the signed form and a clear photocopy of the same ID to the parent who is applying.
What if the other parent refuses to sign or cannot be found?
IRCC expects the applicant to make every reasonable effort to get written consent. A court order is acceptable where the other parent is unwilling, and without consent the onus is on the applicant to show sole custody. IRCC's spousal sponsorship checklist also asks for a detailed written explanation when a document cannot be provided. Speak with a family lawyer about your case.
Does IMM 5604 need an apostille or a translation?
The form and the IRCC checklists we checked ask for a notary public's signature and stamp, and do not mention an apostille. The form comes in English and French. If the ID or a custody document is in another language, IRCC's general rule is a translation, the translator's affidavit and a certified photocopy of the original.
How much does it cost to have IMM 5604 witnessed with Minute Notary?
For a parent in Ontario, $24.95 per seal plus a $60 travel fee once per trip (up to 30 km from our nearest office in Ottawa or Toronto; beyond that, an additional travel fee applies), plus HST and card processing. Each form is one seal, so two children's forms at the same visit are $49.90 plus the $60 travel fee.
Final Recommendation
Start with your own checklist: it tells you whether you need IMM 5604 and what goes with it. Fill in one form per child with the names exactly as on the passports, and have the parent who is not coming sign each one in front of a notary public, with an original ID and a photocopy for IRCC. In Ontario, we witness it on a mobile visit; abroad, a local notary public is the route. If the other parent will not sign, talk to a family lawyer before you file.
Book Your Appointment
Need IMM 5604 witnessed for a parent in Ontario? Minute Notary witnesses it in person on a mobile visit, one seal per form.
- Contact us: Ask a question or request a visit
- Call: (613) 434-5555
- Service page: Mobile notary
- Related guide: Custodianship declaration (IMM 5646)
- Hours: Every day, Saturday and Sunday included, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Ottawa time)
Sources
- IRCC: Declaration from Non-accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors Immigrating to Canada (IMM 5604), form page
- IRCC: IMM 5604 (02-2023) E, the form (PDF)
- IRCC: IMM 5604 F, French form page
- IRCC: Document Checklist: Spouse (Including Dependent Children) (IMM 5533)
- IRCC: Provincial nominees (outside Express Entry), get your documents ready
- IRCC program delivery instructions: Dependent children (custody issues)
- IRCC Help Centre: What language should my supporting documents be in?
- Government of Canada: Consent letter for children travelling outside Canada
- Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.6 (Ontario), s. 3
- Law Society of Ontario: Notice to the Professions, online notary services are not permitted under the Notaries Act (February 26, 2025)
- O. Reg. 431/20: Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely (Ontario)
This article was written using AI.
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About the author
Kai Mai
Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer, Minute Notary
Kai Mai writes and edits the Minute Notary guides, working from the published federal and Ontario guidance each article links, and from what Ottawa clients actually run into with certified copies, affidavits, statutory declarations, travel consent letters, and immigration paperwork. These guides are general information written by our editorial team — not legal advice, and not a professional opinion on your document. The receiving authority always has the final say.