Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents a Canadian citizen when you were born?
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 onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your online application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create an account or sign in, then complete the citizenship certificate application and upload clear colour images of your documents. If you live abroad and the application offers a choice of office for delivery, select a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start an online application for a Canadian citizenship certificate?”
Pay the fee online
Pay the citizenship certificate fee online.
Pay the feeSubmit your application
Submit your application through your account within 60 days of starting it. You can also apply on paper; where you send the package depends on where you live.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit my Canadian citizenship certificate application online?”
Wait for the decision
Check your application status online and respond if the citizenship office asks you for more information.
Check your application statusReceive your citizenship certificate
Once approved, receive your certificate by mail or through the overseas office you selected. If an overseas office has your certificate, it will contact you with collection instructions; you can then use the certificate to apply for a Canadian passport.
Find certificate delivery informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Canadian citizenship certificate after applying online?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your government-issued birth certificate showing your Canadian parent, and birth records showing the family links through your Canadian parent and, if needed, earlier generations. If your Canadian parent is not named on your certificate or more proof is needed, include records such as court orders, surrogacy agreements or hospital records, and explain why your parent is missing and why the certificate was changed or replaced. Provide clear colour copies or scans of records issued by the original office.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide proof of your Canadian parent's citizenship, and, if needed to establish it, proof of citizenship for earlier generations. Records can include a Canadian provincial or territorial birth certificate, Canadian citizenship or naturalisation certificate, registration of birth abroad certificate, retention certificate, or a naturalisation certificate issued in Canada. If your Canadian parent acquired another nationality before 15 February 1977, include proof of that too.
Parent's time in Canada *
Provide records from the original offices that issued them showing when your Canadian parent was physically in Canada. They must show at least 1,095 days in Canada before your birth.
* Only if you were born on or after 15 December 2025 and your Canadian parent was born or adopted abroad, unless the Crown servant exception applies.
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
Indian Passport, OCI, PCC & Visa Services.
English Facebook group for people interested in Canadian citizenship and visas
Request to join🇨🇦 Canadian Citizenship by Descent – Bill C-3 Resource Center
English Facebook group for people interested in Canadian citizenship
Request to joinCanadian Citizenship by Descent Bill C-3 Support and Community
English Facebook group for people interested in Canadian citizenship
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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