If you are a Canadian Citizen but were not born in Canada, the only way you can prove your citizenship is by filing a Canadian Citizenship Certificate application. If you became a citizen by applying for Canadian citizenship (that is, called naturalizing), then you were issued this certificate when you swore your oath of citizenship. If this occurred before 2012, you were issued a wallet-sized citizenship card, which is still valid even though they are no longer issued. However, in the case of being born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, you have to apply for your citizenship certificate.
You will need your Citizenship Certificate to apply for your First Canadian Passport, as well as for a number of other documents, including:
- Renewing your driver’s license
- Renewing your provincial health card
- Enrolling at a school/college/university in Canada
- Proving your citizenship in order to qualify for certain jobs
Need an easier way to get a replacement citizenship certificate?
Why not get some support?
1. We make sure everything is perfect! No returned applications.
2. We track and deal with the government for you. Try calling IRCC yourself. It’s a mess.
3. Need your document fast? Again, we can help.
How do I know if I’m Canadian?
If you were born outside of Canada between February 15, 1977 and April 17, 2009 and a parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, then you are most likely a Canadian citizen. As well, your birth had to have been registered with the Canadian government by your parents. However, registering your birth abroad is not sufficient to automatically grant you citizenship. You need to apply for that first citizenship certificate to prove you are Canadian by descent.
Tip: Check out this great tool. It will help you determine if you are Canadian.
If you were born outside of Canada before February 15, 1977, then you may be a Canadian citizen, but the situation is sometimes more complicated. We may be able to tell you whether you are a Canadian citizen or not. The complexity is due to a number of changes to the Citizenship Act since the original Act in 1947. For example:
If you were born outside Canada between January 1, 1947 and February up through February 14, 1977, you are now considered a Canadian citizen if the following is true:
- You were born to a Canadian citizen father and your parents were married even if your birth wasn’t registered within 2 years of your being born. OR
- You were born to a Canadian citizen mother and your parents were not married even if your birth wasn’t registered within 2 years of your being born.
- However, you must have registered your birth by August 14, 2004, or have sent your application to register postmarked August 14, 2004 or earlier.
There are a number of other similarly detailed situations you might be facing. To find out if you could be Canadian, click on the link above.
Note: If you are born in Canada and moved years ago. All you need to get is your Canadian birth certificate. Here is a third party company that can help you with this process.
List of Documents Needed to File Citizenship Application or form cit 0001
- Form cit 0001 completed, signed, and dated. Make sure you answer every question. Write “NA” or “Not Applicable” to questions that do not apply to you. Do not leave questions blank or your application may be returned to you, or its processing could be delayed.
- 2 identical printed citizenship photographs. Go here to print the citizenship photo specifications and bring it with you to the photographer.
- 2 pieces of valid personal ID, one of them being a photo ID. Examples are: passports, driver licenses, or health insurance cards.
- Proof of payment. You must pay online and print your payment receipt before logging out. Go here to pay online.
You may also be required to provide additional documents. In most cases, these include the following:
- Form IMM 5476 Use of a Representative, if you have appointed a paid representative.
- Statutory Declaration – Request for a Change of Sex or Gender form. This is form IRM 0002 – Change of Sex or Gender Identifier. This is needed if your sex or gender is different from that on your birth certificate for first-time certificate applications, or if your sex or gender has changed from that on your current citizenship certificate.
- Proof of legal change of name. For example, if you have got married or if you otherwise decide or had to change your name. Examples are: a provincial/territorial Legal Change of Name document; a marriage certificated; a court order; an adoption order; or a divorce decree.
There are other scenarios that require further documentation.
For example, if you were born in Canada but have never applied for a citizenship certificate or a passport, you’ll need to add the following documents:
- Your Canadian birth certificate
- Proof of any other nationalities acquired by you or your Canadian parent if you were born before February 15, 1977
On the other hand, if you were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent and have never had a certificate of citizenship, nor a certificate of registration of birth abroad, nor a certificate of retention of Canadian citizenship, then you’ll need to provide the following:
- Your foreign birth certificate with the names of your Canadian parent(s)
- Proof that at least one parent is a Canadian citizen including:
- Your Canadian parent’s: birth certificate; registration of birth abroad (RBA) certificate; certificate of retention of Canadian citizenship; etc.
- Proof of any other nationalities acquired by you or your Canadian parent if you were born before February 15, 1977
And if your Canadian parent is NOT listed on your foreign birth certificate you’ll also need to provide:
- Documents confirming the names of your Canadian parent(s) at the time of your birth such as: court orders, pre-birth records, surrogacy agreements, hospital records, etc.)
- An explanation of why your Canadian parent(s) is not listed on your foreign birth certificate
- Or an explanation of why your foreign birth certificate was changed or replaced.
FAQs
When can I Apply for a Canadian Passport?
You must have proof of your citizenship before applying for your first Canadian passport. In other words, first you need to apply for your certificate of citizenship. Once you’ve received your first citizenship certificate, you can apply for a passport.
What does it mean to Gain Citizenship by Descent?
This is when your citizenship is passed down to you by one of more parents. In Canada, there have been several changes to how Canadian citizenship is passed on from parent to child. As of April 17, 2009, you can only have 1 generation by descent born abroad.
Should I Apply Online or use a Paper Application to get my First Citizenship Certificate?
It depends on a number of factors: where you were born; when you were born; when your parents were born; whether your parents are your biological or legal parents at birth or whether they became your legal parents after birth. Go here to answer a number of questions to see whether you can apply online. You may have to apply instead on paper depending on your situation.
Where do I send my First Canadian Citizenship Application?
Again, it depends on where you’re applying from. In general, applications from within Canada or the US are sent to the Case Processing Centre in Nova Scotia, while applications from elsewhere are sent to the nearest embassy, high commission, or consulate. Go here to our page for more details.
What is a Naturalized Canadian Citizen?
This is someone who has applied for and successfully received their Canadian citizenship after first becoming a permanent resident in Canada and meeting the physical presence requirements.
Is My Child a Canadian Citizen if Born Abroad?
It depends on your situation, including when your child was born and when and where you were born. For example, if you were also born abroad and received your citizenship by descent through a Canadian parent(s), then if your child was born on or after April 17, 2009, they cannot also be citizens by descent through you. However, if you were born in Canada, or if you are a naturalized Canadian, then you can pass on your citizenship to the first generation born abroad. Go here to our page for more information.
Can I give Canadian Citizenship to my Parents?
No, but you can sponsor them to come to Canada as permanent residents and after 5 years, if they meet the other requirements, they can apply for citizenship. In other words, they must be naturalized as citizens rather than through descent.
How do I Get a Canadian Passport for my Child Born Abroad?
They first must be eligible for citizenship by descent by being the first generation born abroad and then you can apply for their first citizenship certificate for them. After receiving the certificate, you can then apply for a passport for them. If they are not eligible for citizenship by descent, you must sponsor them as permanent residents and then they can naturalize as citizens in 5 years.
Born Outside Canada to a Permanent Resident of Canada
You are not a citizen by birth. Your parent must have been a Canadian citizen in order for you to qualify for citizenship by descent.
Canadian Citizenship Through Marriage – How to?
This involves a Canadian sponsoring their spouse to come to Canada as a permanent resident. It does NOT mean that the foreign spouse automatically becomes a citizen. They must first apply to be sponsored as a permanent resident and their Canadian spouse must also qualify to sponsor them. It’s a long process and results in permanent residence for the spouse if successful. Then once they have lived in Canada for 5 years and have met the requirements, they can apply for citizenship. Go here to see our extensive tutorial on sponsoring spouses/partners to come to Canada.
Can I Get Canadian Citizenship through my Grandfather or Grandmother?
Not normally. Your parent would have to first apply for citizenship, and then you might be able to apply. However, in most cases this approach will not work, and regardless, you will not be able to acquire citizenship directly from your grandparent.
Can I Live and Work in Canada after Getting my First Citizenship Certificate?
Yes, you can. Once you have your citizenship certificate it means you enjoy all the rights of a Canadian citizen.
Need an easier way to get a replacement citizenship certificate?
Why not get some support?
1. We make sure everything is perfect! No returned applications.
2. We track and deal with the government for you. Try calling IRCC yourself. It’s a mess.
3. Need your document fast? Again, we can help.
Riley Haas has been a leading expert since 2011 on immigration matters, with hundreds of publications online. Published author of three books about political philosophy, the Beatles and the Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively. BA from Bishop’s University, MA from McMaster University. You follow Riley on Substack https://rileyhaas.substack.com.
