How to Obtain Proof of Canadian Citizenship

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• Why you may need proof of citizenship
• What documents are accepted as proof of citizenship
• What a citizenship certificate is
• Who can apply for a citizenship certificate
• How to apply for a citizenship certificate

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Why might I need proof of my Canadian citizenship?

Sometimes you need to prove you are a Canadian citizen. You might need a proof of Canadian citizenship:

• To vote
• To obtain a passport
• To get a job
• To access government services such as health care or a pension, or to obtain a Social Insurance Number

What documents are accepted as proof of citizenship?

• Provincial or territorial birth certificate (for people born in Canada, unless at the time of your birth, both of your parents were in Canada with diplomatic status)
• Citizenship certificate (Some people born outside Canada after February 14, 1977, to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent are required to take steps before their 28th birthday in order to keep their citizenship. This is known as “retention” of one’s citizenship. If they do not take the necessary steps to retain their citizenship, it is automatically lost according to the 1977 Citizenship Act. If you think this may apply to you and you need more information, please contact us (see the Contact Information section at the end of this publication).
• Naturalization certificate (issued before January 1, 1947)
• Registration of Birth Abroad certificate (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977)
• Certificate of Retention (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977)

What is a citizenship certificate?

A Canadian citizenship certificate is a document that proves that a person is a Canadian citizen. It can be issued to a person born in Canada, to a person born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, or to a permanent resident (immigrant) who is granted Canadian citizenship. The citizenship certificate is a wallet-sized card. It contains your name, date of birth, height and sex, and provides your photograph and signature. It is not a travel document.

Who can apply for a citizenship certificate?

Any Canadian citizen is entitled to apply for a citizenship certificate. Citizens born in Canada may apply for a citizenship certificate if they wish, although provincial or territorial birth certificates are frequently sufficient to establish Canadian citizenship.

If you wish to confirm your status as a Canadian citizen, update your citizenship certificate, or replace a lost, destroyed or stolen certificate, you must apply.

How do I apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate?

To apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate, you must complete the form Application for a Citizenship Certificate.

You can download and print the application from our website at www.cic.gc.ca. If you are inside Canada, you can also contact the Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 and request that an application be mailed to you. If you are outside Canada, you can contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for the region where you live.

Carefully follow the instructions in the application form and provide all the requested documents that are specific to your situation.

In addition to these documents, you will be required to submit two pieces of identification, two signed citizenship photographs and a non-refundable processing fee of $75 (Canadian).

Is it possible that I am not a Canadian citizen?

In general, if you were born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen.

If you were born in another country:

• You are a Canadian citizen if you became a citizen through the naturalization process in Canada (i.e., you were a permanent resident [immigrant] before you became a citizen).
• You are a Canadian citizen if you were born in another country after February 14, 1977, and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth.
• You may be a Canadian citizen if you were born in another country before February 15, 1977, and if, at the time of your birth, one of your parents was a Canadian citizen and certain conditions were met. If you think this applies to you and you need more information, please contact us (see the Contact Information section at the end of this publication).
• You may need to take steps to retain your citizenship before you turn 28 years of age if you were born in another country after February 14, 1977, to a Canadian parent who was also born in another country to a Canadian parent. If you think this applies to you and you need more information, please contact us (see the Contact Information section at the end of this publication).

How much does it cost to apply for a citizenship certificate?

The fee is $75 (Canadian). This charge covers the cost of processing.

Why does my citizenship certificate have an expiry date?

Some people born outside Canada after February 14, 1977, to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent are required to take steps before their 28th birthday in order to retain their citizenship. If they do not, their citizenship is automatically lost as per the 1977 Citizenship Act.

In such situations, a person will receive a notice with their citizenship certificate advising them that they will automatically lose their Canadian citizenship on their 28th birthday, unless they take steps to retain their citizenship before that time.

As an additional reminder, CIC has included an expiry date on all citizenship certificates issued as of January 1, 2007, to people subject to this requirement. The expiry date will be the date on which they will turn 28 years of age and will cease to be a Canadian citizen unless they have taken steps to retain their citizenship.

For more information, contact us and ask for the Retaining Your Canadian Citizenship brochure and worksheet (see the Contact Information section at the end of this publication).

What should I do if I need a citizenship certificate urgently?

Citizenship certificates may be issued to Canadian citizens who demonstrate an urgent need to have their application processed. Every urgent application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on this subject, contact us (see the Contact Information section at the end of this publication).

How can I find out if a citizenship certificate was ever issued to me?

A search of citizenship records can confirm if you were or were not issued a citizenship certificate. To apply for a search of citizenship records, you should complete the form Application for a Search of Citizenship Records and follow the instructions provided in the form. The fee for the search is $75 (Canadian).

For more information on this subject or to obtain the Application for a Search of Citizenship Records, contact us (see the Contact Information section at the end of this publication).

Contact Information

For information about the status of your application, to find out how long it takes to process your application for a citizenship certificate, or to get information on other citizenship issues, please contact us.

Website
The CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca contains information on CIC’s programs and services.

CIC Call Centre
The CIC Call Centre has an automated voice response system that can provide answers to general citizenship questions 24 hours a day. By using a touch-tone telephone, you can order an application kit and check the status of your application.

If you want to speak to an agent, contact the CIC Call Centre during normal business hours across Canada (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time) and press “0”.

For all areas in Canada: 1-888-242-2100 (toll-free).

If you are hearing impaired and you use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service at 1-888-576-8502 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time.

If you are outside Canada, contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for the region in which you live.

 

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2007
Cat. no.: Ci51-202/2007
ISBN 978-0-662-69714-5
C&I-862-03-07