Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: Who can apply
Eligibility
You should apply if you want to
- pass down your Canadian citizenship to your child who was born outside Canada
- provide a document that proves your Canadian citizenship (such as to apply for a passport, job, pension, social insurance number, etc.)
- make sure that you’re a Canadian citizen
- replace a lost, destroyed or stolen certificate
- update your certificate, such as when you get a legal name change
Get a certificate for someone born in Canada
A provincial or territorial birth certificate should be enough to prove Canadian citizenship.
You may still apply for a citizenship certificate.
Get a certificate for someone born outside Canada
Alerts
Status of changes to citizenship by descent
The Citizenship Act currently includes a first-generation limit to citizenship by descent. This limit generally means someone isn't automatically a Canadian citizen if
- they were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, and
- their Canadian parent was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent
In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many individuals is unconstitutional.
An extension until August 9, 2024, has been granted by the Court. This means that the current rules still apply until further notice.
For more information, you can
A person is likely a Canadian citizen if at least 1 parent (legal parent at birth [opens in a new tab] or biological parent)
- was born in Canada, or
- became a naturalized Canadian citizen before the person was born
You can check if you or your minor child (under 18) may be a Canadian citizen
- on our See if you may be a citizen page
- by using our Am I a Canadian? tool
To find out for sure, apply for a citizenship certificate.
For more information, see changes to citizenship rules on
- which parents can pass down their Canadian citizenship (2020)
- who is or isn’t a Canadian citizen (2009 to 2015)
Adopted children born outside Canada
If you’re a Canadian parent who adopted a child born outside Canada, your child
- is not automatically a Canadian citizen
- needs to become a Canadian citizen to get the citizenship certificate
- If you apply for a certificate directly, we’ll return your application.
You can still apply to replace their lost, destroyed or stolen certificate.
Minors who are permanent residents
If your minor child is a permanent resident, do not apply directly for a citizenship certificate. To get a certificate, you need to apply for your child’s Canadian citizenship (naturalization or grant of citizenship).
If you apply to become a Canadian citizen
If you apply for and receive Canadian citizenship (naturalization or grant of citizenship), you
- will receive the certificate at a citizenship ceremony
- do not need to apply for a citizenship certificate
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