Was Your Parent Born in Canada? You May Be Eligible for a Canadian Passport
Canadian
citizens by descent generally have the same citizenship rights as people born
in Canada. This means you may be able to apply for proof of Canadian
citizenship and then apply for a Canadian passport.
How to Apply
for a Canadian Passport
Before applying
for a Canadian passport, you must first get a proof of Canadian citizenship
certificate from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To apply, you
usually need:
|
Required
Document |
Purpose |
|
Your birth
certificate |
To show your
parents’ names |
|
Your parent’s
Canadian birth certificate |
To prove your
parent was born in Canada |
|
Citizenship
certificate or naturalization record |
If your
parent became a Canadian citizen later |
Once you receive your proof of citizenship certificate, you can use it to apply
for a Canadian passport.
At the time of
writing, the proof of citizenship certificate may take around 10 months,
while a Canadian passport may take around 10 to 20 business days.
What About
Dual Citizenship?
Canada allows
dual citizenship. This means you can be a Canadian citizen and also hold
citizenship of another country.
For example,
the United States also allows dual citizenship, so many U.S.-Canadian dual
citizens can enjoy rights in both countries without giving up one citizenship.
However, not
every country allows dual citizenship. Countries such as India, China, Japan,
Singapore, and Saudi Arabia generally do not allow adults to hold dual
citizenship. Some countries allow it only in limited situations.
Before
applying, it is important to check the rules of your other country of
citizenship.
Which
Passport Should You Use for Travel?
If you hold two
passports, the general rule is to use the passport of the country you are
entering.
For example, if
you are a Canadian and U.S. dual citizen, you should enter Canada using your
Canadian passport and enter the United States using your U.S. passport.
For travel to
other countries, you may use the passport that gives you better travel access,
such as visa-free entry or easier processing.
What If Your
Parent Does Not Have a Canadian Passport?
Even if your
parent does not currently have a Canadian passport or proof of Canadian
citizenship, you may still be eligible. You may need to show your family
connection to a Canadian ancestor, such as a parent, grandparent, or
great-grandparent.
