22 Aug 2025

Do You Qualify for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate?

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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:

  • Member of the Canadian Armed Forces
  • Employee of the federal public administration
  • Employee of the public service of a province or territory

In these cases, you may still be eligible for a citizenship certificate.

Who Can Apply for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate?

You may apply if:

  • You were born outside Canada and have at least one Canadian parent (biological or legal) who was born in Canada or became a naturalized citizen before your birth.
  • You lost your original certificate and need a replacement.
  • Your certificate has been damaged, stolen, or requires an update (such as after a legal name change).

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

  • Completed application form (CIT 0001).
  • Two valid IDs (one with a photo).
  • Citizenship photos (1 photo if applying online, 2 if paper application).
  • Translations if documents are not in English or French.
  • Additional documents depending on your personal situation.

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

  • Paper applications: You will receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) by mail or email with a Unique Client Identifier (UCI).
  • Online applications: The AOR will appear in your IRCC account.

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

  • Children born in Canada automatically gain citizenship at birth. Their birth certificate is enough proof.
  • Naturalized citizens automatically receive a citizenship certificate when they become Canadian.

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.

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