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IMM 5604: How to Fill Out the Declaration From a Non-Accompanying Parent or Guardian (2026)

IMM 5604 is the form a non-accompanying parent or guardian signs to declare they have no objection to a minor immigrating to Canada with the other parent or guardian. It is required when a child under 18 becomes a permanent resident with only one parent while the other stays behind. You complete one form per child, sign it in front of a notary public, and submit it with a copy of your ID.


That last detail is where files stall. The IMM 5604 page states plainly that failure to complete the form in full may result in a delay or the application not being processed. A missing notary stamp, an unsigned box, or no photocopy of identification is enough to hold up a child's permanent residence. Get it right once and it never resurfaces; get it wrong and it comes back at the worst possible time. You can read the form on the official IMM 5604 page at canada.ca.

A photograph capturing the official notarization of the Canadian IMM 5604 form. A male notary public, seated at a professional desk, applies an embossed seal to the document. He is witnessing the signature of a non-accompanying father, who is presenting his original passport and a photocopy of his identification. The form, titled "IMM 5604: Declaration of Non-Accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors Immigrating to Canada," rests on the desk, validated by the notary's stamp.

When is IMM 5604 required?

You need IMM 5604 when a minor is immigrating to Canada, meaning becoming a permanent resident, with one parent or guardian while the other parent or guardian does not come along. The classic situation is a separated or divorced couple: one parent is landing in Canada with the children, and the other parent, including a former spouse or former common-law partner, is not. That non-accompanying parent signs the declaration to confirm they consent to the child immigrating.


This most often appears inside a family sponsorship application for a dependent child, but it can also come up when dependent children are listed on an economic permanent residence application and one parent is not immigrating. The trigger is not the program, it is the family arrangement: a child immigrating without both parents present.


One point that trips people up: IMM 5604 is an immigration declaration, not a travel consent letter. If a child is only visiting or studying in Canada temporarily with one parent, that is a different situation with its own consent documentation. IMM 5604 is specifically for the child becoming a permanent resident.

Who completes IMM 5604, and the witness rule that matters

The form is filled out by the non-accompanying parent or guardian, and it must be witnessed by a notary public. That word matters. Think of it the way you would a passport photo endorsement: not just anyone qualifies, and IRCC is specific about who does. The declaration is not valid simply because you signed it, a friend watched, and someone stamped it. It has to be a notary public, you present your original identification to that notary, and the notary adds their title, full name in block letters, signature, date, and professional stamp.


You also submit a photocopy of a valid and legible identity document with the completed declaration. And you complete one form per child immigrating to Canada without both parents. Two children, two separate forms, each witnessed.


In practice, at Ansari Immigration the declarations that get returned almost always fail on one of three things: the witness was not a notary public, the photocopy of identification was missing or unreadable, or the parent left the emergency contact or place fields blank. None of those are hard to fix, but each one costs a round trip while a child's file waits.

How to fill out IMM 5604, step by step

The form is short, one page, and you must print it and sign it by hand. Open it on a computer with Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher, because it may not open on a phone or tablet.

  1. Download the form from the official canada.ca IMM 5604 page and open it in Acrobat Reader.

  2. Enter your full name as the non-accompanying parent or guardian, then the child's full name and date of birth exactly as they appear on the child's passport or travel document.

  3. Name the parent or guardian the child is immigrating with, and their relationship to the child. If the child is travelling with someone other than that parent, complete the section that names that person too.

  4. Read the declaration carefully. By signing, you confirm you understand you may be permanently separated from your child, and that if you later want to enter Canada you must meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in force at that time.

  5. Do not sign yet. Take the form and your original ID to a notary public and sign in front of them.

  6. Have the notary complete the witness section with their stamp, then attach a photocopy of your valid identity document.

Because the form lists the child's details exactly as shown on the passport, keep the spelling consistent with the rest of the application, including forms like the IMM 5406 Additional Family Information form and the IMM 0008 generic application form. Officers cross-check names and dates across the package, and a mismatch between forms is its own kind of delay.

Have you already downloaded IMM 5604 and hit a wall on the witness step? Tell us in the comments what tripped you up, and keep it general. For advice on your specific case, book a consultation.

What if the non-accompanying parent will not or cannot sign?

This is the hardest part, and it is where the official page goes quiet. IRCC's IMM 5604 page explains how to complete the form but does not spell out what to do when the other parent refuses to sign, cannot be located, has passed away, or has no legal say in the child. As of July 2026, that guidance is not on the form page itself, so do not assume a single workaround applies to your situation.


What is clear is that this becomes a legal question about custody and authority over the child, not just a paperwork question. If you have sole custody or legal guardianship, or if the other parent is deceased, you will generally provide documentation proving that instead of a signed declaration. Because the exact evidence depends on your family circumstances and your home country's law, confirm the requirement with IRCC or a licensed professional before you submit, rather than guessing. Do not leave the box blank and hope it passes: a dependent child left unexplained is a refusal risk, not a rounding error.

A domestic photograph showing the consequence of an incomplete application. A stressed mother sits at a cluttered kitchen table, her head in her hands in frustration. In front of her is the rejected IMM 5604 form, which is covered in red pen circles highlighting missing notary stamps and signatures in the witness section (the very elements being validated in image_0.png). An open laptop displays an official IRCC rejection letter citing a missing consent form. A young child draws nearby, unaware of the application stalling. The scene emphasizes the anxiety caused by paperwork errors in family immigration.

Why this matters for your immigration application

A dependent child is often the whole reason a family applies, and IMM 5604 is a small form that carries the child's landing on its back. When the declaration is complete and properly witnessed, it quietly does its job and the child lands with the rest of the family, receiving a Confirmation of Permanent Residence like any other new permanent resident. When it is missing, unwitnessed, or contradicted by other documents, it can delay or derail an entire family's permanent residence.


Not sure whether your child's file even needs IMM 5604, or what to do because the other parent will not cooperate? That is a 30-minute question, and Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC will give you a straight answer, including whether you need the form at all: book a consultation ($80, 30 minutes).

Frequently asked questions about IMM 5604

When is IMM 5604 absolutely required?

When a minor is immigrating to Canada, becoming a permanent resident, with one parent or guardian while the other parent or guardian does not accompany them. You complete one form per child in that situation.


How do you fill out IMM 5604?

Print the form, enter your details and the child's details exactly as they appear on the passport, name the accompanying parent or guardian, then sign in front of a notary public and attach a photocopy of your valid ID. Do not sign before you reach the notary.


Can IMM 5604 be signed by a judge instead of a notary public?

The form specifies that it must be witnessed by a notary public. It does not list a judge as an alternative witness. If a notary public is genuinely unavailable to you, confirm any substitute with IRCC before submitting rather than assuming another official qualifies.


Is there an alternative to the IMM 5604 form?

When the non-accompanying parent can sign, IMM 5604 is the document IRCC asks for. When they cannot sign, because they are deceased or you hold sole custody, you generally provide legal documentation of custody or guardianship instead. Because the right evidence depends on your circumstances, confirm what IRCC needs for your specific case before you file.


Do you need IMM 5604 if the child has only one parent?

If there is genuinely no second parent or guardian with a legal claim to the child, a signed declaration from a non-accompanying parent may not apply. You will usually need to document why, for example a death certificate or a custody order. Confirm the requirement rather than simply omitting the form.

Related Posts

Three signs your family's permanent residence file needs a professional read: you are separated or divorced and bringing a child without the other parent, the other parent will not sign or cannot be found, or your child's name and date of birth are not identical across every form. Any one of these is what Ansari Immigration untangles in a focused consultation, handled personally by the firm's licensed RCIC from start to finish, with direct access to your consultant, not a call center. Fees are flat and quoted upfront, and a consultation is $80 for 30 minutes. Which IRCC form should we break down next? Tell us in the comments, and when you are ready, book your consultation here. Ansari Immigration is led by a licensed RCIC regulated by CICC.

This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your situation.

 
 
 

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