How to apply

Adoptions are the responsibility of the provinces and territories in Canada. You should contact your provincial or territorial adoption authority for information on eligibility to adopt and the accompanying requirements that must be met.

What you can expect from the citizenship application process

Once the adoption process is complete, you can apply for Canadian citizenship for your child.

Get the application package

There are two parts to the Application for Canadian citizenship for a person adopted by a Canadian citizen:

• Part 1–The Confirmation of Canadian citizenship of the adoptive parent(s) to confirm that at least one adoptive parent is or was a Canadian citizen at the time of adoption, or, for adoptions that took place prior to January 1, 1947, at least one adoptive parent became a Canadian citizen on January 1, 1947 (or April 1, 1949, in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador for adoptions that took place prior to April 1, 1949) and is able to pass on Canadian citizenship to the adopted person.
• Part 2–The Adoptee’s application to assess the adopted person’s eligibility for Canadian citizenship.

Download and print the application package. It includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

Read the guide carefully before you complete the citizenship application forms. The fee for processing the forms is not refundable, so make sure the adoptee is eligible for Canadian citizenship before you apply.

Read the instructions in the application package, and provide the required documents. If information or documents are missing, your application may be delayed.

If your documents are not in English or French, you must provide clear and legible copies of the originals, an English or French translation of them and a sworn affidavit from the person who did the translation attesting that the contents of the translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translations by family members are not acceptable.

If you are a legal guardian applying on behalf of a child, you must also provide legal documentation proving guardianship.

Pay your application fees

Your fees depend on your age. Your fees may include:

• the processing fee
• the right of citizenship fee

You have to pay your fees online(opens in a new tab) .

Submit your application

Mail your completed application forms along with the required documents and fees to:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Case Processing Centre—Sydney—Adoption
P.O. Box 10030
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 7C1

If your application is not signed or the fees are not included, the application will be returned to you.

Track your application