The IMM 5646 Custodianship Declaration has two pages. The Canadian custodian signs page 1 before a notary in Canada. The parents or legal guardians sign page 2 before a notary in their home country. Both original pages go with the minor's study permit application.
Key facts
- Form: IMM 5646, Custodianship Declaration – Custodianship for minor children studying in Canada
- Required for: students under the age of majority coming without a parent
- Custodian: a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living near the school
- Notarization: each page in the country where it is signed
What is the IMM 5646?
The IMM 5646 is the form IRCC uses to confirm that a responsible adult in Canada will act in place of the parents of a minor student. Without it, a student under the age of majority who is travelling without a parent will usually not get a study permit, even with a letter of acceptance.
Who signs which page?
| Page | Signed by | Notarized in |
|---|---|---|
| Page 1, custodian | The custodian in Canada | Canada |
| Page 2, parents | Both parents, or the legal guardian | The parents' home country |
Step by step
- Choose a custodian who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and lives near the school.
- The custodian completes and signs page 1 before a Canadian notary or lawyer.
- Both parents complete and sign page 2 before a notary at home. Use names exactly as on the passports.
- Check that names, dates of birth and school details match the passport and the letter of acceptance.
- Upload both pages with the study permit application and keep the originals.
Mistakes that cause delays or refusals
- Notarizing a page in the wrong country
- Only one parent signing when both have custody
- A custodian who is not a citizen or permanent resident
- Details that don't match the rest of the file
How we help
We complete and notarize the custodian page within 48 hours and send parents a step-by-step guide for page 2 in their language. There is no set-up fee: custodianship is $100 per month, with a $500 minimum.
Sources: IRCC, Study permits: Guidelines on minor children. This article is general information and not legal advice. For your situation, talk to our team.
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