Becoming a citizen: How to apply
To become a Canadian citizen, you must do the following:
- Obtain an application kit.
- Read the guide.
- Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents.
- Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt.
- Mail the application form and documents.
1. Obtain an application kit.
If you are an adult (age 18 or older), you need this form:
If you are applying for your children (under age 18), you need this form:
You can apply for your children at the same time as you apply for yourself,
or after you have become a citizen.
You can download and print the application kit you need from Find an application form or guide in the Quick Find section on the right-hand side of
this page.
You can also contact the Call Centre (see Contact
Us at the top of this
page) to ask for an application to be mailed to you. Be ready to give
the name, age and date of permanent resident status for everyone you
are applying for, your full address, including the postal code, and the
number of adult and children’s forms you need.
2. Read the guide.
Read the guide carefully before you complete the citizenship application
form. The fee for processing your form and your children’s forms
is not refundable, so make sure you are eligible and ready to become
a citizen before you apply.
3. Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents.
The application form contains instructions. Read those instructions,
complete the form and attach photocopies of your documents. Do not send
the originals. You will have to show the originals when you come for
your test or interview, so remember to bring them with you.
If your documents are not in English or French, you can provide a photocopy
of the originals, a translation of them and an affidavit from the person
who did the translation. Translations by family members are not acceptable.
To apply as an adult, you will need to include the following with your
application:
- proof of permanent residence
- A Record of Landing (IMM 1000)—a document that is sometimes
folded and stapled into your passport—if you became a permanent
resident before June 28, 2002; or your Confirmation
of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or 5509)—if you became a permanent
resident on or after June 28, 2002
- A permanent resident card, a copy of both sides, if you became a permanent
resident after June 28, 2002, or if you obtained a permanent resident
card as an existing permanent resident
- two pieces of identification (for example, a passport, a driver’s
licence, or a provincial/territorial health card), at least one of which
contains your photo
- two signed citizenship photos, done according to the instructions in
the guide and
- the receipt of payment (form IMM 5401—see below) showing that you have
paid the $200 fee (which includes a $100 right of citizenship fee and
a $100 processing fee).
To apply on behalf of your child, you will need to include:
- your child’s long-form birth certificate or the child’s
adoption order showing the names of the adoptive parents
- your child’s Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent
Residence (IMM 5292 or 5509)
- your child’s permanent resident card, a copy of both sides, if
your child has one
- two pieces of identification for the child, such as school records,
a provincial/territorial health card, or an immunization record
- two citizenship photos of the child, done according to directions in
the guide and signed by the child if he or she is aged 14 or older and
- the original receipt of payment (form IMM 5401—see below) showing that
you have paid the $100 fee.
If you are a legal guardian applying on behalf of a child, you must also
provide legal documentation proving guardianship.
4. Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt.
You can pay fees:
- at most banks. If you use this method, you must get an original receipt of payment (form IMM 5401) to bring with you when you pay. This form is not available online. You must have it mailed to you. See Order a receipt of payment (IMM 5401) under Related Links at the bottom of the page.
- online through Pay application fees in the Quick Find section on the right-hand of this page. Once you have paid your fees online, you must print a receipt of payment form and include it with your application. Be sure to print the actual receipt, not the “payment confirmation form” page. See Payment of fees on the Internet under Related Links at the bottom of the page for more information.
You can use one receipt for your entire family as long as you send all
the application forms in the same envelope.
5. Mail the application form and documents.
If you apply for more than one person and want your applications
processed together, you can submit all the forms and documents in the
same envelope. If the applications are sent in different envelopes,
they will be processed separately.
Remember to:
- sign and date the application form
- sign your photos
- have any child who is 14 years of age or older sign her or his photos
and countersign the application form
- include the photos
- include the receipt of payment (IMM 5401)
- include the completed and signed application form and
- include photocopies of all documents.
Mail your completed application form, along with the required documents,
to
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Case Processing Centre - Sydney
P.O. Box 7000
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6V6
If your application is signed more than three months before we receive
it or if it is dated into the future, we will send it back to you.
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