Canadian Citizenship by Descent: Frequently Asked Questions

The Citizenship Act was updated to extend citizenship to many people born outside Canada who have a Canadian parent, grandparent, great-grandparent or a more distant ancestor.

The changes have created a lot of new citizens, but also a lot of confusion. So – we wanted to help break it down for our readers. This is the ultimate FAQ guide to Canada’s new citizenship-by-descent rules.

Am I eligible for Canadian citizenship-by-descent if my parent or grandparent was Canadian?

Yes, you are likely a Canadian citizen. In order to be sure, you need to apply for proof of citizenship.

Under the previous rules, citizenship was generally limited to the first generation born outside Canada. Bill C-3 removed that limit for people born before December 15, 2025.

Your parent or grandparent did not need to hold a Canadian passport or citizenship certificate. They are assumed to have been a citizen under Canadian law without ever applying for documents to prove it.

However, in order to get your proof of citizenship, you have to submit documents proving your ancestor’s citizenship and your lineage.

Am I eligible if my Canadian ancestor was my great-grandparent or further back?

Yes, though you’ll need documentation to get your proof of citizenship. Bill C-3 does not set a limit on how many generations citizenship can pass through for people born before December 15, 2025.

That means that even if your Canadian ancestor was a great-grandparent, great-great-grandparent, or an even earlier ancestor, you may be eligible. Some users on Reddit report receiving citizenship certificates through family lines extending well beyond grandparents.

However, the further back the Canadian ancestor is, the more complicated your application will be. You need to document every link in the biological line between you and your Canadian ancestor, as well as establishing your ancestor’s Canadian citizenship.

If I am a Canadian citizen by descent, is my child Canadian too?

It depends on when your child was born. If your child was born outside Canada prior to December 15, 2025, they should have the same right to citizenship as you. In fact, you can submit your applications at the same time (though, both of you will require separate applications).

If your child was born after December 15, 2025, it’s more complicated.

When Bill C-3 came into effect (on December 15, 2025), the rules for citizenship-by-descent changed for anyone born after that date. Now, when a person’s Canadian parent was also born (or adopted) outside Canada, that parent generally needs to prove a substantial connection to Canada in order for their children to receive Canadian citizenship.

This means showing at least 1,095 cumulative days of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth. The days do not need to be continuous, but the parent must be able to document them. Evidence may include things like employment or education records, tax documents, travel records, housing documents, etc.

How do I apply for proof of Canadian citizenship?

You apply to IRCC for a citizenship certificate, also known as proof of citizenship.

This is different from applying to become a Canadian citizen through naturalization. If you qualify for citizenship by descent, you are already a citizen. The application asks IRCC to assess your status and issue a certificate proving it.

Applicants generally use the Application for a Citizenship Certificate form, CIT 0001. Paper applicants must also complete and submit the CIT 0014 document checklist.

Depending on your circumstances, the basic application package may include:

• A completed CIT 0001 application form
• A completed CIT 0014 document checklist
• Citizenship photograph(s) meeting IRCC specifications
• Two pieces of valid personal identification, one of which must have your photo
• Your birth certificate displaying the name of your Canadian parent(s)
• Proof that the $75 application fee has been paid
• Proof of parentage and Canadian citizenship for your Canadian parent, grandparent and parental ancestor as applicable. This is necessary for every link in the chain, not just yourself and the Canadian citizen ancestor. For each person, you must provide documents (like birth certificates) issued by the original authority. If unable to obtain these documents, you may be able to submit alternatives, but they will only be accepted at the discretion of the officer assigned to your file.
• Documents explaining any discrepancies in names, ages, or birthdates
• Certified translations for documents not written in English or French
• A letter of explanation where documents are missing or the family history requires clarification
• A cover letter and family tree (optional)
• Certain additional documents depending on your circumstances:
  • Use of a Representative Form (IMM 5476) if working with a representative
  • Proof of legal change of name

The exact document requirements vary from person to person. Be sure to check IRCC’s requirements for your specific case and verify you meet those requirements.

Applications can be paper-based or online. Although, depending on the complexity of your application, the online submission portal may limit your ability to submit all required documents.

What documents do I need to prove my Canadian lineage?

You need to prove two things:

1. That your ancestor was a Canadian citizen, or qualified as Canadian under historic rules
2. That you are directly descended from that person

In a simple case, this can be shown through a chain of birth certificates. For example, if you were born in the United States, your mother was also born in the United States, and your maternal grandmother was born in Canada, you could provide:

• Your birth certificate naming your mother
• Your mother’s birth certificate naming your grandmother
• Your grandmother’s Canadian birth certificate

If you’re applying for a more distant relative, you need to provide a chain of ancestry all the way back to that ancestor.

If possible, obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate (or birth record) for your relevant Canadian ancestor from whichever authority holds that record. For example, in Quebec the authority is the BAnQ, while in Ontario the authority is the Archives of Ontario. You must submit a colour copy of this certified record to IRCC. Be advised that wait times for birth records from these archives have increased following a surge in requests post-Bill C-3.

You can also include Canadian or foreign census records, naturalization documents, military paperwork, marriage records, or probate documentation.

Birth records are the strongest evidence because they directly establish parentage. Marriage, death, census, military, and probate records can be useful as supplementary evidence or as alternatives when a birth record can’t be obtained.

Genealogy sites like FamilySearch or Ancestry can help applicants locate records. However, IRCC says an application cannot be supported solely by third-party records. If an online database points to an official record, you should try to obtain a copy from the official source.

What if I cannot find all the documents needed to prove my citizenship?

A missing birth certificate doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get your proof of citizenship.

IRCC’s guidelines allow applicants to provide other evidence where a birth certificate or birth record is unavailable. But – you need to explain what’s missing, why you can’t provide it, and what documents you are using instead.

Include a letter of explanation that identifies the missing document and describes the steps you took to obtain it. Ideally, you will also include supporting evidence showing your efforts, like your communications with an archive or registry.

According to the highly active Canadian citizenship Reddit community, applicants have reported receiving citizenship certificates using combinations of non-birth certificate documents, like census records, marriage certificates, and military documents.

Again, the final decision will rest with the immigration officer assessing your application.

If you’re working with alternative documentation, you may want to consult with a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer with experience preparing proof of citizenship applications.

Pro-tip: There’s a community of volunteers on Reddit who will help you track down your documents if you’re having trouble finding them. You can get more information here, though, always be cautious when sharing personal information with online strangers.

How long does it take to get proof of Canadian citizenship?

Approximately 19 months. Since Bill C-3 took effect, IRCC has seen a surge in proof of citizenship applications with about 100,000 applications currently awaiting decisions. With the increased application volume, processing times have skyrocketed.

As of July 2026, IRCC is taking approximately 19 months to process new applications for proof of citizenship.

It is possible to request urgent processing when you submit your application. However, IRCC decides those requests on a case-by-case basis and simply requesting urgent processing doesn’t guarantee you’ll get it. Furthermore, considering the current application backlog, even being granted “urgent processing” may still result in a lengthy wait time before you receive a decision.

What if someone in my line of descent was adopted?

If someone in your line of descent was adopted, they can only pass on their Canadian citizenship if they formally received Canadian citizenship before the birth of the next generation. If they were not formally granted Canadian citizenship prior to the birth of the next generation, then the chain is broken and citizenship is not automatically passed down.

If you are the person who was adopted outside Canada by a Canadian citizen, you should not normally apply directly for a citizenship certificate. IRCC provides a separate citizenship application process for adopted people.

What if my ancestor’s name or age varies across different documents?

It’s common for historical records to have slight differences in the spelling of names and even in ages and birthdates for certain individuals.

Explain any inconsistencies in a cover letter. A simple table listing each version of the person’s name, the document where it appears, and the reason you believe it is the same person. If possible, include supporting documents proving the alternate spellings / information apply to the same individual.

IRCC will assess your evidence as a whole. The objective is to provide a documented chain connecting you to the Canadian ancestor, even if historical records aren’t perfectly consistent.

Get Help with Your Proof of Citizenship Application

If you have questions about your proof of citizenship application, we recommend speaking with a regulated Canadian immigration consultant who has experience advising on citizenship certificate applications.

You can also consult with online communities, like the active Canadian citizenship subreddit. Always be cautious of information from online communities. They can serve as a useful starting point for research, but information may not be accurate.

Good luck with your application, citizen!