The short answer is you have to apply for a replacement citizenship certificate. When you fill in form cit0001 – the application form for a citizenship certificate – you will be asked the reasons why you’re applying for a certificate. You should indicate the reasons you are replacing it in question 3 near the beginning of form cit0001. For an in-depth look at how to fill in the form, go here to our page on form cit0001.
What do I do if my Citizenship Certificate is Lost?
You have to apply for a new certificate using form cit0001 whether it’s lost, stolen, or damaged (destroyed is the term IRCC uses)
If you don’t plan on applying for a replacement certificate within 6 weeks of the loss, then you have to download, fill out sign & date what is called A Solemn Declaration Concerning a Citizenship Certificate that was Lost, Stolen, Destroyed, or Never Received.
Go here for the link to download the form – which is one page and reasonably straightforward. The first part is personal information and contact information. However, questions 3, 4, and 5 are the critical part. Here’s what you’ll see:
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.
Click here to see the application from IRCC. Warning, this PDF application will not open in your internet browser. Save the file to your desktop and then open it.
Make sure you explain, as best you can, how your certificate was lost, stolen, or damaged/destroyed in question 3. Then in question 4, you’ll need a copy of the police report if it was stolen. And in question 5 you promise to return it, if found, to either an immigration officer in Canada or the nearest embassy, consul, or high commission.
What do I do if my Citizenship Certificate is stolen?
If your citizenship certificate was stolen, you should report the theft to the local police as soon as possible. As well, if you don’t plan on applying for a replacement certificate for at least 6 weeks from the date of the theft (or loss) of your certificate, you’ll need to download, fill out, and submit what is called A Solemn Declaration Concerning a Citizenship Certificate that was Lost, Stolen, Destroyed, or Never Received. See above for an explanation of how to fill in the Solemn Declaration and what to look out for.
However, we always recommend you apply immediately for a new certificate using form cit0001. Go to our page here for more information.
Additionally, you should obtain, if possible, a copy of the police report as you usually need it when applying for a replacement certificate.
My Citizenship Certificate is Damaged. What do I do?
In both previous cases (lost or stolen), you have to apply for a replacement certificate. And as mentioned above, you should do so immediately. As we’ve already mentioned above, if for some reason you can’t apply within 6 weeks of it being damaged, you have to file A Solemn Declaration Concerning a Citizenship Certificate that was Lost, Stolen, Destroyed, or Never Received.
Tip: Click here to learn how to replace your citizenship certificate.
Lost Citizen Certificate Replacement Checklist
If you fail to complete the procedure in full, you may have your application returned or refused. To avoid delays, keep track of the checklist below:
- You have completed the application form in full.
- You have signed and dated the form in the correct way (no earlier than 90 days before IRCC receives it, nor in the future).
- You have attached at least one identity document with a photo.
- You have returned all old copies of the certificate.
- You have included the police report for the lost certificate.
- You have enclosed two photographs.
- You have enclosed all supporting documents relevant to your situation.
- You have included translation of all documents which are not either in English or in French and you have attached an affidavit from the translator.
- You have attached the receipt for payment of the processing fee.
FAQs
My citizenship certificate was not returned when I applied for a new passport. What do I do? I have not received my certification. What do I do?
When your citizenship certificate gets lost in the mail, what you have to do depends on where the certificate was mailed to and how long it has been since it was shipped.
- There is a window of opportunity to get IRCC to send a replacement certificate. From 6 weeks to 6 months from the date it was mailed you can get a replacement certificate IF it was mailed to an address in Canada or the USA.
- First, check your application’s status to see when it was mailed. Go here.
- Click here to learn how to contact the government.
- To get a replacement certificate:
- Go here to the client support center at IRCC, or
- Go here and fill in the webform (Preferable option) and click the blue Tell us more button on the lower LHS of the page to submit your complaint about not having received your certificate yet.
- You’ll be asked if you’ve submitted an application for permanent residence, student, visitor, or worker. Click No and then click the blue Go to Web form button to open the online form. Fill it in with the details of your not having received your certificate.
- If your certificate was mailed to an embassy, consulate, or high commission because you are outside Canada, your window of opportunity is from 8 weeks to 6 months from the date your certificate was mailed.
- To get a replacement certificate in this case:
- Contact the embassy, consulate, or high commission to you submitted your application
IMPORTANT: If more than 6 months pass from the date your certificate was sent (either to an address in Canada or the USA or to an embassy etc., abroad), you must instead apply to replace the certificate and pay the fees.
Can I use a Photocopy of a Citizenship Certificate (or Card)?
No. For example, if you need to provide your certificate to apply for a new passport, it must be the original you send to IRCC (or the local embassy/consulate/high commission). Photocopies will not be accepted. Furthermore, any proof of citizenship – certificates; certificates of naturalization; certificates of registration of birth abroad; or certificates of retention of Canadian citizenship) should NOT even be laminated, or they risk being rejected by IRCC.
I am missing my citizenship certificate, or I can’t find my citizenship card. What do I do?
You have to apply for a replacement card. Go here to see our page on getting a new citizenship certificate.
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.
