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Custodianship Declaration IMM 5646 for Minor Studying in Canada Who Signs and How to Notarize It
For IMM 5646, the custodian in Canada signs page 1 in front of a notary, and the minor child’s parent or legal guardian signs page 2 in front of a notary in their country, or in Canada if they are physically here. Each signer must appear in person before the notary with valid identification, and the completed pages are usually scanned and uploaded with the study permit application.
The form looks simple, but small errors can delay a file. The most common problems are unsigned pages, notarization in the wrong place, names that do not match passports, and missing proof of the custodian’s status or address.
This guide explains how IMM 5646 works, who signs each page, what to bring to a notarization appointment, and when supporting documents may be needed. This is general information, not immigration legal advice.
What IMM 5646 is and when IRCC requires it
IMM 5646 is the Custodianship Declaration used for a minor child who will study in Canada without a parent or legal guardian accompanying them. It tells Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, often called IRCC, who will take responsibility for the child while the child is in Canada.
The custodian is not the same as a parent. A custodian is an adult in Canada who agrees to help care for the minor during the stay. This can include being available for the school, helping in an emergency, and accepting responsibility for the child’s care and support while the child is in Canada.
IRCC commonly asks for IMM 5646 when a minor applies for a study permit and will live in Canada without a parent or legal guardian. In many cases, minors under 17 need a custodian. For 17-year-old students, IRCC may still ask for a custodian depending on the circumstances, the province, the school, and the officer’s review.
A complete custodianship package often includes:
The completed IMM 5646 form
Page 1 signed and notarized by the custodian in Canada
Page 2 signed and notarized by the parent or legal guardian
A copy of the custodian’s Canadian status document
Proof of the custodian’s address in Canada
Any supporting documents that explain name differences or custody arrangements
If a parent’s documents are not in English or French, they may need translation. For study permit files, it is useful to understand the rules around certified translation for Canada study permits, especially where birth certificates, custody orders, passports, or national ID cards are involved.
Who can be a custodian
A custodian should be a responsible adult living in Canada. IRCC generally expects the custodian to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, although exact requirements should always be checked against the current IRCC instructions for the child’s situation.
The custodian must be able to take on a real role, not just sign a form. The person should be reachable, understand the responsibility, and be able to respond if the school, homestay, medical provider, or authorities need a local adult contact.
A custodian is often:
A relative in Canada
A family friend
A trusted member of the community
A host parent or adult connected to the child’s living arrangement
The person should live close enough to the child’s school or residence to be practical. A custodian in a faraway province may raise questions if the child is studying somewhere else. For example, if the child will study in Edmonton, a custodian in or near Edmonton usually makes more sense than a custodian in Toronto.
IRCC does not choose the custodian for the family. The parent or legal guardian must decide who is suitable. A notary can witness signatures and certify copies, but a notary does not approve the custodian or confirm that the person is the best choice.
Page 1 vs page 2
IMM 5646 has two main signing parts. This is where many mistakes happen.
Page | Who signs | Where it is usually notarized | Purpose |
Page 1 | The custodian in Canada | In Canada | The custodian accepts responsibility for the minor while in Canada |
Page 2 | The parent or legal guardian | In the parent’s country, or in Canada if present | The parent or guardian authorizes the custodian arrangement |
Page 1 is the custodian’s declaration. The custodian must sign it in front of a notary public or other authorized official. If the custodian is in Edmonton, they can attend a local appointment for notary public services and sign the form there.
Page 2 is the parent or legal guardian declaration. The parent or guardian signs to confirm they agree to the custodian taking responsibility for the child in Canada. If the parents are outside Canada, they usually sign before a notary or authorized official in their country. If the parents are physically in Canada, they can sign before a Canadian notary.
The key point is physical presence. A notary cannot properly notarize a signature if the signer is not there, unless a valid remote notarization process is legally available and accepted for that document. For immigration files, in-person notarization is often the safest choice when possible.
What the custodian brings
The custodian should bring the original identification and documents needed to support the declaration. Copies alone may not be enough for notarization, especially if certified copies are needed.
A custodian should normally bring:
Valid government-issued photo ID
A driver’s licence, provincial ID card, passport, permanent resident card, or other accepted ID.
Proof of status in Canada
This may include a Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, permanent resident card, or other status document.
Proof of current address
This may include a driver’s licence with current address, utility bill, bank statement, lease, property tax notice, or other accepted document.
The completed IMM 5646 form
The form should be filled out before the appointment, but not signed until the notary is ready to witness the signature.
The minor child’s details
The custodian should confirm the child’s full legal name, date of birth, school name, and expected address in Canada if known.
If the custodian needs certified copies of their status or address documents, they should bring the originals. A photocopy can be certified only when the notary has compared it to the original document.
Some custodians also bring school admission letters, homestay details, or parent authorization letters. These may not always be required for notarizing IMM 5646, but they can help keep the file consistent.
Name mismatch between ID and form
Name mismatches are common in study permit files. They can happen because of translation, marriage, shortened names, different name order, missing middle names, or different spellings between passports and local documents.
For example, one document may show:
Maria Santos Cruz
Another may show:
Maria Cruz
Maria S. Cruz
Cruz Maria Santos
Mariya Santos-Kruz
Small differences can create confusion if IRCC cannot clearly see that the documents refer to the same person. A notary may also ask questions if the name on the form does not match the name on the ID.
When there is a mismatch, the solution depends on the reason. Common supporting documents include:
A marriage certificate
A legal name change certificate
A birth certificate
A passport showing both names
A government ID with the current name
A sworn name affidavit explaining that the names refer to the same person
A name affidavit can be useful when a person uses different versions of their name across documents. It should be clear, specific, and supported by ID or other records where possible.
If the mismatch appears in documents issued outside Canada, translation may also be needed. The translation should be consistent with the passport and the study permit forms. A small spelling issue can become a bigger problem if every document uses a different version of the name.
Combining both pages
IMM 5646 has two signing sides, but the pages do not always get notarized in the same city or even the same country. That is normal.
A common process looks like this:
The family completes the form with the minor’s details, parent details, and custodian details.
The custodian in Canada signs page 1 before a Canadian notary.
The custodian sends a scanned copy of notarized page 1 to the parents.
The parents sign page 2 before a notary in their country.
The completed notarized pages are combined into one PDF for the study permit application.
The family keeps the original notarized pages in case IRCC asks for them later.
If the parents are in Canada, both page 1 and page 2 can be notarized in Canada, as long as all signers appear before the notary with valid ID. If the custodian is in Edmonton and the parents are also in Edmonton, they may complete both pages in one appointment.
If the parents are outside Canada, the Canadian notary should not notarize page 2 unless the parents are physically present before that notary. In that situation, page 2 should usually be notarized where the parents are.
When combining the pages, make sure the scan is readable. IRCC officers should be able to see the notary stamp, seal, signature, dates, names, and all form fields.
Common mistakes
Signing before seeing the notary
The signer should usually wait and sign in front of the notary. If a signature is already on the form, the notary may ask the person to sign again or complete a fresh copy.
Mixing up page 1 and page 2
The custodian signs page 1. The parent or legal guardian signs page 2. Reversing them can cause delay.
Using a custodian name that does not match ID
The form should match the custodian’s legal ID. If there are name differences, prepare supporting documents or a name affidavit.
Forgetting proof of status or address
IRCC may want to see that the custodian is in Canada and has a real Canadian address. Certified copies can help make the file clearer.
Uploading unclear scans
Blurry scans, cut-off seals, missing pages, and dark photos can make a properly notarized form look incomplete.
FAQ
Can a relative be the custodian?
Yes. A relative can be the custodian if they are a suitable adult in Canada and can take responsibility for the minor while the child studies here. The person should meet IRCC’s expectations and be able to support the role in a practical way.
A relative is often a strong choice because there is already a family connection. That said, the relationship alone is not enough. The person still needs to sign the declaration, provide ID, and show status and address documents if required.
Must both parents sign page 2?
Often, both parents or legal guardians sign page 2, especially where both have custody or legal decision-making authority. If only one parent signs, IRCC may expect an explanation or supporting documents.
Examples may include a custody order, death certificate, sole guardianship document, consent letter, or other proof showing why one parent alone can authorize the arrangement. If there is any custody concern, get proper legal advice before submitting the file.
Can both pages be notarized in Edmonton?
Yes, if all signers are physically in Edmonton and appear before the notary with valid identification. The custodian can sign page 1 in Edmonton. The parents or legal guardians can sign page 2 in Edmonton if they are also present.
If the parents are outside Canada, an Edmonton notary cannot notarize their signatures in the ordinary way. They should sign page 2 before a notary or authorized official where they are located.
Does IRCC accept a scanned declaration?
For online study permit applications, applicants commonly upload scanned copies of notarized documents. The scan should be clear, complete, and show every stamp, seal, signature, and date.
Keep the original notarized pages. IRCC may ask for originals or clearer copies during processing. If a scan is hard to read, it can create unnecessary questions even when the document itself was completed correctly.
How Can Document Genie Help You?
Document Genie helps families, custodians, and students prepare notarized and supporting documents for minor study permit files. The team has served clients since 2017, brings 10+ years of related experience, and has handled thousands of similar files for people in Canada and abroad. Document Genie also has about 3,000 Google reviews at 4.9 stars.
For a Custodianship Declaration IMM 5646 for Minor Studying in Canada Who Signs and How to Notarize It issue, the goal is to make the document package clear, properly witnessed, and easy to upload.
Document Genie can help with:
Notarizing page 1 for the custodian in Canada
Notarizing page 2 if the parents or legal guardians are physically here
Certifying copies of custodian status documents
Certifying copies of address documents
Drafting a name affidavit where names do not match across ID and forms
Translating parents’ documents where certified translation is required
There are also clear limits:
Document Genie does not choose the custodian for the family
Document Genie does not vet whether a custodian is suitable
Document Genie cannot advise on study permit eligibility
Document Genie does not replace immigration legal advice where the file has custody, refusal, inadmissibility, or eligibility concerns
To get help with notarizing IMM 5646 or preparing related supporting documents, call 587-501-2088 or book online. You can also visit Document Genie at Unit 18, 9186 34A Ave NW, Edmonton AB T6E 5P4.
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