A Canadian citizenship certificate is an official document
issued by the Government of Canada. It acts as proof that you are a Canadian
citizen. While it is not a travel document, it is an essential requirement if
you plan to apply for a Canadian passport.
If you were born outside Canada, you may be eligible for a
citizenship certificate if at least one of your parents was a Canadian
citizen—either by birth or naturalization—before you were born.
What is Citizenship by Descent?
Children born outside Canada can automatically gain
citizenship through their Canadian parent. This process is known as citizenship
by descent.
However, under current law, citizenship by descent is
restricted to the first generation born abroad. This means that if you
are the child of a Canadian citizen who was also born outside Canada, you may
not automatically qualify for citizenship. This rule is called the first-generation
limit (FGL).
Recent and Proposed Changes to the FGL
On March 13, 2025, the Canadian government
introduced interim measures for people affected by the FGL. Under these
measures, individuals may request a discretionary grant of citizenship
if their parent had a “substantial connection to Canada.”
A substantial connection is defined as living in Canada for
at least three years (1,095 days) before the child’s birth or adoption.
In addition, Bill C-3, introduced on June 5, 2025,
proposes to remove the FGL for children whose parents meet this substantial
connection test. If passed, this bill could restore automatic citizenship
rights to thousands of individuals known as “lost Canadians.”
Exceptions to the First-Generation Limit
The FGL does not apply if your Canadian parent (or
grandparent at the time of the parent’s birth) was working abroad as a:
In these cases, you may still be eligible for a citizenship
certificate.
Who Can Apply for a Canadian Citizenship
Certificate?
You may apply if:
How to Apply for a Canadian Citizenship
Certificate
Before applying, you can use the IRCC tool “Am I a
Canadian?” to check your eligibility. However, this tool provides only
preliminary guidance. To get official proof, you must apply.
Steps to Apply:
Step 1: Get the application package
Download the guide, forms, and checklist from IRCC.
Step 2: Gather required documents
Step 3: Pay the application fee
The non-refundable fee is $75 per person. Include proof of payment with
your application.
Step 4: Submit your application
Processing Times
Processing can take at least five months. It may
take longer if you are applying from outside Canada and the U.S., or if you are
applying for a minor abroad.
Urgent processing is available in special circumstances
(such as for education, employment, or avoiding hardship), but IRCC does not
guarantee faster results even if you qualify.
Discretionary Grants of Citizenship
If you are affected by the FGL, you must first apply for a
citizenship certificate. If IRCC determines that the FGL applies to you, they
may invite you to request a discretionary grant. At that stage, you may need to
provide evidence of your parent’s substantial connection to Canada.
Who Does Not Need to Apply
Final Thoughts
The Canadian citizenship certificate is a vital document if
you were born outside Canada and want to confirm your status as a Canadian.
With proposed legislative changes on the horizon, more people may soon qualify
automatically.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility or how to
apply, professional guidance can make the process easier.