- a pension
- health care
- a Social Insurance Number
You’ll need to include a letter of explanation, outlining why you need urgent processing, and supporting documentation such as:
- plane tickets or itineraries, with proof of payment
- letter from employer
- letter from school
- doctor’s note
- death certificate
- other documents supporting urgent processing
Write “Urgent – Proof of Citizenship” on the envelope if you are mailing your application from within Canada or the United States of America. If you’re outside of Canada or the United States of America, request urgent processing with the Canadian embassy, High Commission or consulate, when you submit your application.
We review all urgent requests to see if they qualify.
Translation of documents
You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French:
- the English or French translation; and
- an affidavit from the person who completed the translation
Translations may be done by:
- a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French, and the unofficial language), or
- a Canadian certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada)
If the translation isn’t done by a Canadian certified translator, the person who completed the translation must provide an affidavit swearing to their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.
The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of:
In Canada:
- a notary public
- a commissioner of oaths
- a commissioner of taking affidavits
Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Consult your local provincial or territorial authorities.
Outside of Canada:
Authority to administer oaths varies by country. Consult your local authorities.
Important information: Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by members of the applicant’s family. This includes a parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and first cousin.
Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translators who are certified in Canada don’t need to supply an affidavit.
Step 2: Complete your application
Note: It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on these forms. The information you provide on your application will be subject to verification.
Follow these steps to complete your application form:
- Download the CIT 0001 form, Application for a Citizenship Certificate for Adults and Minors (Proof of Citizenship) Under Section 3 (PDF, 3.07 MB)
- Open the application form (PDF) from your computer
- Read the instructions at the end of the application form
- Fill out the form. You can either:
- fill it out electronically on your computer and then print it, or
- print the form and fill it out by hand
If possible, we prefer that you fill out the application form electronically. Filling out the form electronically ensures that your responses are easy-to-read and helps prevent errors.
Note: If you complete the application form electronically, remember that you must sign and date it after you print it.
Tips to help you complete your form
- If a section does not apply to you, write “Not Applicable” or “NA”. If your application is incomplete it may be returned to you and this will delay processing.
- If you’re completing this application for a minor under 18 years of age, remember all questions are about the minor and you should answer as though you are the minor.
- If you need more space to answer any questions, use an extra sheet of paper and indicate the number and/or letter of the question you’re answering.
- All of your answers must be complete and true.
Step 3: Pay your fees
Your fees
If more than one member of your family is applying for a Canadian citizenship certificate pay the fees all together.
Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid. The fee payment receipt must be included with this application.
Application (per person) $CAN Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) 75 Explanation of fees
The following text describes the fees that are required and if they are refundable.
Processing fee
Amount: $75 for each person
Non-refundable once processing has begun, regardless of the final decision.
The only acceptable form of payment is online payment. If you send any other form of payment, we will return your application.
How to pay the fees for your application
To pay your fees for your application you’ll need:
- a valid e-mail address;
- access to a printer (you’ll need to print the receipt), and
- a credit card, Debit MasterCard ® or Visa ® Debit card.
Visit the link below and follow these instructions to pay:
- Go to Online Payment.
- Follow the online instructions.
- At the end, click on the button to print the IRCC official receipt with barcode. Print two copies.
- Keep the second copy of the receipt for your records.
Do not exit without printing the receipt! The printed receipt is your proof of payment!
Payment Issues
No fee included or insufficient fees
If you do not pay the full fees for your application(s) we will return your application(s). We will only start processing your application after you return it with the correct fees.
For immigration applications, see section 10 of the IRPR and for citizenship applications, see section 13 of the Citizenship Act for more information.
Overpayment
If you pay more than the fees needed for your application(s) we will start processing your application, and send you a refund as soon as possible.
Note: You don’t have to ask for a refund. It will be done automatically.
Note: If you’re eligible for a refund, we will issue the refund to the person indicated on the Payer Information section of the receipt (if a receipt is attached to a paper application or uploaded as part of an online application). If you paid directly within an online application (no receipt attached), or if there is no name indicated on the receipt, we will send the refund to the applicant.
Only online payments are accepted in Canada. If any other forms of payment are received, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will return your application.
Fee payment outside Canada and the United States
Use the following method of payment ONLY if:
- you’re living outside Canada and the United States, and
- you do not have access to the Internet.
If you cannot pay online, you must pay directly to the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate where you’re submitting your application.
- Visit the Pay your fees web page
- Select the country/territory where you’re paying from
- Select your application type
- Click on get payment instructions
- Bring your completed application and the correct fees to the consular office indicated
Note: Consular offices cannot accept:
- receipts for fees paid in Canada, or
- personal cheques
Step 4: Submit your application
Answer the following question to find out where to submit your application.
If you’re a parent or legal guardian applying for a minor child (under 18 years old)
Select the country or territory where the child lives:
- Yes, I’m applying so my child can use their reclaimed Indigenous name
- No, I’m applying for a different reason
- Yes, I’m applying so my child can use their reclaimed Indigenous name
- No, I’m applying for a different reason
If you’re applying for yourself
Select the country or territory where you live:
- Yes, I’m applying so I can use my reclaimed Indigenous name
- No, I’m applying for a different reason
- Yes, I’m applying so I can use my reclaimed Indigenous name
- No, I’m applying for a different reason
Where to submit your application if you’ve reclaimed your Indigenous name
To submit your application to apply for, update, or replace your citizenship certificate or card with your reclaimed Indigenous name:
- Gather your documents, including
- the completed application form
- either the eligibility form or the statutory declaration, depending on your situation
- your supporting documents (check what you need to reclaim your Indigenous name on your citizenship certificate or card)
- Put them in an envelope and
- label the outside with “CTA 17 – Proof” in large, dark letters
- address the envelope to:
Citizenship and Passport Cases Division
Case Management Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
300 Slater Street, 12th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 1L1
If you’re sending more than one application
If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for family members, including siblings), you may send one receipt to cover all applications. Mail the receipt (if applicable) and all applications together in one envelope so that they will be processed together.
Note: If you’re sending more than one application, and one of the applications is incomplete, all the applications will be returned to you.
Sign the form
The application form must be signed and dated before it is submitted. If your application is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you.
Helpful reminders
Remember to use the Document Checklist [CIT 0014] (PDF, 0.99 MB) to find the scenario that applies to you and include the completed checklist with your application.
To avoid your application being returned to you make sure that you:
- answered all questions, or wrote “N/A” (not applicable) on the application form for any question or section that is not applicable to you
- returned all original Canadian citizenship/naturalization certificates previously issued to you and any pink transmission copies that you still have
- agree to delete and destroy all digital and printed copies of your current e-certificate upon submission of your application for a replacement
- included high quality colour copies of two (2) pieces of personal identification one of which must have your photo on it
- included your citizenship photo(s) according to the appropriate citizenship photograph specifications
- included high quality colour copies of requested documents, their translation(s) and an affidavit by the translator for any documents that are not in English or French
- provided a letter of explanation for any documents that are missing, not included or require further clarification with your application (i.e. birth certificates that have been changed or replaced).
- signed and dated the form. Before you send it, make sure that it is not stale-dated (dated more than 90 days before we receive it) or post-dated (dated into the future).
- paid the correct fees and included your receipt with your application.
What happens next?
After you submit your application
If you applied from within Canada or the United States:
If you provided an email address, you’ll receive an ‘acknowledgment of receipt’ email from us containing your ten digit Unique Client Identifier (UCI).
If you did not provide an email address, you’ll receive an ‘acknowledgment of receipt’ letter from us delivered by mail and containing your ten digit Unique Client Identifier (UCI).
If your application is incomplete, your application will be returned to you.
If you applied from outside Canada and the United States:
You’ll receive a receipt from the Canadian embassy, High Commission or consulate where you submitted your application.
If you provided an email address, you’ll also receive an ‘acknowledgment of receipt’ email from us containing your ten digit Unique Client Identifier (UCI).
Once your application is received and considered complete:
- Your application will be reviewed and processing will begin.
- Some applications may require more time for processing. In these cases, you’ll be contacted for more information or asked to supply additional documents.
- If your application is approved, you’ll receive a citizenship certificate:
- if your mailing address is inside Canada or the United States, you’ll receive it by mail
- if your mailing address is outside Canada and the United States, the Canadian embassy, High Commission or consulate where you submitted your application will contact you
For more informationCurrent processing times
You can check current processing times on the Application processing times webpage.
Important informationUpdating your contact information
While your application is in process, you must tell us if you change your address, e-mail address, or telephone number. Use the Change your address tool to give us your new contact information.
Checking application status
Use the Check your application status tool and follow the instructions provided
If you live outside Canada and the United States, you can also contact the Canadian embassy, high Commission or consulate where you submitted your application.
Note: If you do not want your application status to be available online, you can remove your application status information from the Internet.
Protecting your information
Your personal information is:
- available to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it to provide the services to you, and
- not disclosed to other organizations except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Actor the Citizenship Regulations.
For more information about the protection of your data, visit the Frequently Asked Questions/Help Centre.
Quality Assurance Program
Our quality assurance program randomly chooses applications for a special review. If chosen, we’ll ask you to attend an in-person interview where we will:
- review and verify the original documentation you submitted,
- verify that the information you provided on your application form is accurate, and
- request additional supporting documentation, up to and including DNA to confirm parentage, if we’re not satisfied with the documentation on file.
Note: We will notify you in writing if your application is chosen.
Need help?
If you need help, you can find answers to your questions by visiting the Help Centre.
Appendix A
Amendments to the Citizenship Act limit citizenship by descent
On April 17, 2009, the rules for Canadian citizenship changed for persons born outside Canada to Canadian parents, and who were not themselves already Canadian citizens when the rules changed.
Canadian citizenship by birth outside Canada to a Canadian citizen parent (citizenship by descent) is now limited to the first generation born outside Canada.
This means that, in general, persons who were not already Canadian citizens immediately before April 17, 2009 and who were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent are not Canadian if:
- their Canadian parent was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent (the person is therefore the second or subsequent generation born outside Canada), or
- their Canadian parent was granted Canadian citizenship under section 5.1, the adoption provisions of the Citizenship Act (the person is therefore the second generation born outside Canada)
Exception to the first generation limit in 2009
The first generation limit on claims of citizenship by descent through a parent did not apply to a person born outside Canada in the second or subsequent generation if:
- at the time of the person’s birth, their parent was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory, other than as a locally engaged person (a crown servant);
Persons born to a Canadian parent who are not eligible for citizenship by descent due to the first generation limit may apply for and obtain permanent resident status and subsequently submit an application for a grant of citizenship under section 5 of the Citizenship Act.
Persons born to a Canadian parent on or after April 17, 2009 who are not eligible for citizenship by descent due to the first generation limit may be stateless. Those persons may apply for a grant of citizenship under subsection 5(5) of the Citizenship Act. For further information, consult the page on Citizenship grants: Statelessness.
Note: Some naturalized Canadian citizens who had a Canadian parent became Canadian citizens by descent by operation of law under these amendments and this could impact their eligibility to pass on Canadian citizenship to children born outside Canada to them or adopted by them.
Amendments to the Citizenship Act extending citizenship
On June 11, 2015, citizenship was extended to more persons who were born before the Canadian Citizenship Act took effect on January 1, 1947, as well as to their children who were born outside Canada in the first generation. Specifically, the amendments gave Canadian citizenship to persons who were born or naturalized in Canada as well as to those who were British subjects ordinarily resident in Canada on January 1, 1947 (April 1, 1949, in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador), but who were not eligible for Canadian citizenship when the Canadian Citizenship Act took effect. The amendments also retroactively gave Canadian citizenship to the children of these persons, as well as to children of parents who became citizens on January 1, 1947 (or April 1, 1949), but who did not themselves become Canadian citizens on those dates.
On June 19, 2014, the exception to the first generation limit to citizenship by descent was extended to children born outside Canada whose grandparent, at the time of the child’s parent’s birth or adoption, was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory, other than as a locally engaged person.
Extension to the exceptions to the first generation limit in 2014
The first generation limit to on claims of citizenship by descent through a parent does not apply to a person born outside Canada in the second or subsequent generation if:
- the person is born to a Crown servant or,
- at the time of their parent’s birth or adoption, the person’s grandparent was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or public service of a province or territory, other than as a locally engaged person (a crown servant).
Note: Some naturalized Canadian citizens who had a Canadian parent became Canadian citizens by descent by operation of law under these amendments, which and this could impact their eligibility to pass on Canadian citizenship to children born outside Canada to them or adopted by them. If you think that this may apply to you and you would like more information, consult the Help Centre at the end of this guide.
Appendix B
Crown servants
The table below will help you to determine if proof of employment is required to demonstrate that one of your Canadian parents or grandparents was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory, other than as a locally engaged person at the time of your birth or at the time of your parent’s birth or adoption.
If your answer is:
1. Was your Canadian parent born in Canada or granted citizenship, also known as naturalization, (except for a grant of citizenship under the adoption provisions) before your birth?
YES. This section does not apply to you. Submit your application.
NO. Proceed to question 2.
2. Was one of your Canadian parents a Crown servant (employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or public service or a province, other than as a locally engaged person) at the time of your birth outside Canada?
YES. This section does apply to you. Proof of your parent’s employment at the time of your birth is required. Refer to the section below on “Acceptable proof of employment as a Crown servant”.
NO. Proceed to question 3.
3. Was one of your grandparents a Crown servant (employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, other than as a locally engaged person), at the time of your Canadian parent’s birth or adoption outside Canada?
YES. This section does apply to you. Proof of your grandparent’s employment at the time of your parent’s birth or adoption is required. Refer to the section below on “Acceptable proof of employment as a Crown servant”.
NO. This section does not apply to you. Submit your application.
Acceptable proof of employment as a Crown servant
The employment document must be issued by the responsible authority (the employer) and contain the following information:
- Your parent or grandparent’s name; and
- Start date, employment duration and title of the position they held in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory; and
- Transfer date, employment duration and title of the position they held outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory.
Current and retired Government of Canada employees who have worked abroad and are applying for proof of citizenship need to confirm their posting by contacting the Compensation Department and asking for proof of employment. The proof of employment needs to contain the information mentioned above.
Appendix C
Name change
This section applies to you if:
- you’re applying for your first citizenship certificate and the name you wish to appear on your citizenship certificate is different than the name on your birth certificate, or
- you’re applying for a replacement certificate and the name you wish to appear on your citizenship certificate is different than the name on your previous certificate.
Consult the information below to determine the documents that are to be included with your application.
If you have legally changed your name within Canada
Then you must submit a copy of the change of name document issued by a Canadian province or territory, or by the appropriate foreign-state authority. The document must show both your previous and amended names.
The following documents are accepted:
- Legal change of name document
- Court order specifying name change
- Adoption order
The following documents are accepted for changes to family name only:
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Registration or declaration of union issued by civil authorities
- Revocation of declaration or annulment of union issued by civil authorities
- Registration for common-law relationship, in provinces that permit changes of name for common-law relationships under their provincial/territorial law
If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing in Canada
Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:
- A foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
- A document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation); and
- A document in the new name from Canadian provinces or territories (ex. driver's license, health card, age of majority card, senior citizen’s identification card, or social service card)
If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing outside Canada
Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:
- a foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
- a document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation) or other foreign legal change of name document issued by foreign authorities; and
- an authoritative national or state/province (or equivalent) issued photo identification document issued in the country or state/province in which you reside that displays the new name, such as:
- a foreign passport or other travel documents, if you’re a dual citizen;
- a state/provincial (or equivalent) identification card.
If you have applied and obtained an amendment to your Record of Landing, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence due to errors made by Canadian immigration officials when recording your name, then you must submit a copy of the amendment or a letter confirming the change of name.
Important information: Once processing of your application has begun a name change can only be made due to an administrative error made by the Department, or a legal change of name.
If you’re reclaiming your Indigenous name
If you’ve reclaimed your Indigenous name, you can change the name on your citizenship certificate or card. To do that, apply for a new citizenship certificate. There will be no cost for this change until May 30, 2026.
When you apply, include either an “eligibility form” or a “Statutory Declaration”, depending on your situation.
Include an eligibility form [IRM 0004] (PDF, 1.8 MB) if you either
- amended your birth certificate, or
- obtained a legal change of name document.
- are applying for a free replacement certificate, or for a first time certificate, and
- can’t amend your birth certificate or obtain a legal change of name document
- You’ll also need to include proof that you can’t obtain these documents (for example, a rejection letter from your province or territory).
We’ll use these forms to determine if you’re eligible for a free replacement certificate.
You can apply normally if you’re applying for your first citizenship certificate and you:
- reclaimed your indigenous name, and
- have an amended birth certificate or legal change of name document
Appendix D
Date of birth correction
The date of birth on your citizenship certificate will be the same as the one shown on your previous citizenship certificate, if you had one, or your birth certificate or foreign passport unless:
- for former permanent residents of Canada, you have corrected your date of birth on your immigration document, or
- you have legally changed it, or
- you’re requesting a different date of birth for your citizenship certificate and you can provide supporting documents.
- If you’re a former permanent resident of Canada, and your date of birth has been corrected on your immigration document
- Then you must provide a copy of an approved Request to Amend Immigration Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
- Then you must provide a copy of provincial/territorial court order changing your date of birth and
- completed questionnaire Request to Correct a Date of Birth for a Permanent Resident Document or Citizenship Certificate [IRM 0003] (PDF, 2.4 MB)
- Then you must provide a copy of foreign court order changing your date of birth and
- completed questionnaire Request to Correct a Date of Birth for a Permanent Resident Document or Citizenship Certificate [IRM 0003] (PDF, 2.4 MB)
- Then you must provide a copy of a refused Request to Amend Immigration Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) and
- completed questionnaire Request to Correct a Date of Birth for a Permanent Resident Document or Citizenship Certificate [IRM 0003] (PDF, 2.4 MB)and
- documents to support your new date of birth.
Important information: You cannot request a change in your date of birth after your application has been submitted. If satisfactory documentation is not provided with the application to support the date of birth requested, the citizenship certificate will reflect the date of birth indicated on your previous citizenship certificate, if you had one, or your birth certificate or foreign passport.
Important information: If you do not have a court order changing your date of birth and you were formerly a permanent resident of Canada, you must first request an amendment to your immigration document before requesting a different date of birth on your citizenship certificate.
For more information. For information on amending your immigration document
Features
Appendix E
Legal parent at birth
Before July 2020, only biological parents could pass down Canadian citizenship to their children. Biological parents are those with a genetic or gestational connection to their child.
As of July 2020, non-biological parents can pass down their Canadian citizenship to their children who were born outside Canada if they’re the child’s legal parent at birth.
There are some exceptions for both parents (see Appendix A).
A legal parent at birth
- is the biological or non-biological parent listed on a child’s original birth certificate or birth record issued at the time of their birth.
- does not include parents who adopted a child after they were born or legal guardians.
Birth records include pre-birth orders, court orders, surrogacy agreements, hospital records, etc.
To respect the requirements of the Citizenship Act, if you were born outside of Canada and adopted by Canadian parents, you can apply for Canadian citizenship for adopted persons.
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