Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted? If more than one person adopted you, answer about one adoptive parent at a time and repeat the quiz for each parent.
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Canadian passport
Canadian citizens can apply for a Canadian passport for travel abroad and return to Canada.
Citizens with another citizenship generally need a valid Canadian passport to fly to Canada, unless a special authorization applies.
A citizenship certificate proves citizenship but is not a travel document.
Live in Canada for life
Canadian citizens have the right to enter, stay in and leave Canada, and to move to any province.
Citizenship does not expire, and living outside Canada indefinitely does not end it.
Study in Canada
Canadian citizens can study in Canada and access education on the same general basis as other Canadians.
Work in Canada
Canadian citizens can work in Canada and pursue a livelihood in any province.
Travel to destinations
A Canadian passport may make it easier to travel abroad without a visa or get a visa on arrival at some destinations.
Destinations and conditions can change.
Use public services
Canadian citizens can access housing and social services on the same general basis as other Canadians.
Federal services are available in English or French.
Get help abroad
Canadian citizens can ask for help from Canada while abroad.
The help available is limited by the laws and authorities of the country where they are.
Vote and run for office
Canadian citizens have the right to vote and stand as candidates in Canadian elections.
Election conditions apply, including a usual minimum voting age of 18.
Use public healthcare
Canadian citizens can access public healthcare on the same general basis as other Canadians.
Provinces and territories run healthcare, and conditions apply.
Access social benefits
Canadian citizens may qualify for pensions and benefits, depending on conditions such as age, residence, income or contributions.
For example, Old Age Security requires a person to be 65 or older and meet citizenship or legal-residence and residence-history rules.
How to apply
Applying by mailApplying by mail
Download the application forms
Download the citizenship by adoption package, including the guide, Part 1 form CIT 0010, Part 2 form CIT 0012 and checklists CIT 0484 and CIT 0485. You need a separate application for each adopted person.
Find the application formsSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Canada citizenship by adoption application forms and checklists?”
Fill in Part 1
Complete and date form CIT 0010. If you are an adult adoptee, sign it yourself; for a child, a parent or legal guardian signs it.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Part 1 of the Canada citizenship by adoption application?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for both parts of the application.
See required documentsPay the fee online
Pay the applicable citizenship fee through the online payment service and keep the receipt for Part 1. You will need an account for the payment service.
Pay the feeMail Part 1
Send the signed Part 1 form, checklist, receipt and supporting documents to the IRCC Digitization Centre – Adoptions in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, with enough postage. Use tracked mail or a courier.
Get the mailing addressSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I mail Part 1 of the Canada citizenship by adoption application?”
Wait for Part 1
Check your application status and wait for the decision letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. If Part 1 is approved, the letter tells you when and where to submit Part 2; do not submit it before approval.
Check your application statusSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of Part 1 of my Canada citizenship by adoption application?”
Finalise the adoption
If the adoption is not yet final, complete it before submitting Part 2. You will need the final adoption order or an equivalent document.
Find adoption informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I finalise an adoption before applying for Canada citizenship by adoption Part 2?”
Fill in Part 2
Complete and date form CIT 0012 and enter the date of the Part 1 approval letter. If you are an adult adoptee, sign it yourself; for a child, a parent or legal guardian signs it.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Part 2 of the Canada citizenship by adoption application?”
Pay any additional fee
If a further fee applies to Part 2, pay it online and keep the receipt to include with the application.
Pay the feeSubmit Part 2
Send the signed Part 2 form, checklist, required documents and photos, and any applicable fee receipt to the place and by the method given in your Part 1 approval letter. Follow that letter’s instructions for where you live.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit Part 2 of the Canada citizenship by adoption application after Part 1 approval?”
Wait for the decision
Check your application status and respond to any requests from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for more documents, an interview, fingerprints, medical information or other steps. For a child’s application, help your child respond to any requests.
Check your application statusSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of my Canada citizenship by adoption application?”
Receive your citizenship confirmation
If the application is approved, follow the instructions to receive your citizenship certificate or confirmation, or your child’s. A citizenship certificate can be used when applying for a Canadian passport.
Find certificate informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive a Canada citizenship certificate after my citizenship by adoption application is approved?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption documents
Include a clear colour copy of your final adoption order, adoption judgment or adoption certificate with Part 2. It must show your name, date and place of birth, and your adoptive parents’ names. If a Certificate of Conformity applies to your adoption, include that too.
Parent’s citizenship records
Include a clear colour copy of proof of your Canadian adoptive parent’s citizenship with Part 1. Include proof for your adoptive parents if both are Canadian citizens.
Birth certificate *
Include a clear colour copy of your birth certificate showing your biological parents’ names. Include it with Part 2.
* Only if your birth certificate is available and applies to your adoption.
May need translationName change records *
Include evidence of the name change with your application. Send a clear colour copy rather than the original.
* Only if a name has changed.
May need translationParents’ death certificates *
Include your parents’ death certificates with Part 2. Have the appropriate local government office certify that they are authentic.
* Only if you are an orphaned child.
May need translationParent’s time in Canada *
Include the original physical-presence calculation, form CIT 0555, and proof of your Canadian adoptive parent’s time in Canada with Part 1. Send clear colour copies of supporting documents unless an original is requested.
* Only if your Canadian adoptive parent must show time spent in Canada.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Jury duty
Canadian citizens must serve on a jury if selected.
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship can be taken away for fraud, false statements or knowingly hiding important facts in an immigration or citizenship process.
You can respond; the Federal Court decides unless you request the Minister, and a 10-year wait to regain citizenship generally follows.
You can give it up if you are 18 or older, live abroad, have or are acquiring another citizenship and understand the decision.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/CanadaAdoptedCitizens
English Reddit group for people interested in Canadian citizenship
Join on RedditCitizenship Online Application
English Facebook group for people interested in Canadian citizenship
Join on FacebookCanadian Citizenship Test, Status, Citizenship, Application
English Facebook group for people interested in Canadian citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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