Proof of citizenship

Sometimes you need to prove that you are a Canadian citizen. You may need to do this when you:

• vote
• apply for a passport
• apply for certain jobs or
• apply to obtain certain government entitlements.

If you were born in Canada, a birth certificate issued by the province or territory of your birth is often enough to prove that you are a Canadian citizen.

If you were born outside Canada, you get a citizenship certificate when you become a Canadian citizen.

A citizenship certificate is proof of citizenship. It is not a travel document. Any Canadian citizen wanting to travel outside Canada should obtain a Canadian passport.

The citizenship certificate is a wallet-sized card that has your photograph on it. It looks like this:

Learn about:

• Who can apply
• How to apply
• After applying