Eligibility quiz
Will one of your parents be a Canadian citizen when your application is made?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
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 onlineApplying online
Fill in the application
As the parent or legal guardian, create or sign in to your citizenship application account and fill in the application for a minor under 18. Select the application for a minor with a Canadian parent; you sign the application, and your child also signs if they are 14 to 17.
Start the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for Canadian citizenship for a minor with a Canadian parent?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your child's online application.
See required documentsPay the fee online
Pay your child's $100 Canadian citizenship application fee online and upload the receipt as instructed in the application.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Canadian citizenship application fee for a minor online?”
Submit your application
Submit your child's application online and keep the confirmation. You can also apply on paper by mail.
Submit the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an online Canadian citizenship application for a minor with a Canadian parent?”
Give fingerprints if asked
If your child receives a letter asking for fingerprints, arrange for your child to give them electronically at a fingerprinting service, following the letter's instructions. Book an appointment if the service requires one.
Find fingerprinting servicesWait for the decision
After you receive an acknowledgement that your child's application was received, use the citizenship tracker to follow its progress. Respond to any questions or requests for more documents.
Track the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my child's Canadian citizenship application?”
Attend the ceremony
If your child is invited to a citizenship ceremony, follow the invitation's instructions and have your child attend. Follow the instructions you receive about the next steps toward Canadian citizenship.
Find ceremony instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does my child attend a Canadian citizenship ceremony?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth or adoption record
Provide a photocopy of your birth certificate or adoption order. The adoption order can be used for this requirement.
Parent's citizenship records *
Provide a photocopy of your Canadian parent's proof of citizenship, such as their Canadian citizenship certificate. Check the citizenship document requirements for the proof your parent has.
* Only if your Canadian parent's proof of citizenship is required for your application.
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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