Eligibility quiz
Is one of your parents a Canadian citizen?
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
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents needed for your citizenship application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Your parent, guardian or another person authorized to apply for you creates an online citizenship account, selects the application for a minor and completes it. If the requirement for an authorized person to apply for you is waived, you can apply yourself.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start an online Canadian citizenship application for a minor?”
Sign your application
Your parent, guardian or other authorized applicant signs and dates the application in the account, and you also sign and date it if you are 14 to 17, unless you cannot understand what signing means because of a mental disability. If the requirement for an authorized person to apply is waived, follow the account's signing instructions.
Find signing instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I sign an online Canadian citizenship application for a minor?”
Pay the fee online
You or the person applying for you pays the $100 citizenship processing fee online and keeps the receipt.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Canadian citizenship application fee for a minor online?”
Submit your application
You or the person applying for you uploads the documents requested in the account and submits the completed application. You can also apply on paper by mail; some applicants may need to use paper.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an online Canadian citizenship application for a minor?”
Wait for the decision
After you receive confirmation that your application was received, you or the person applying for you can check its status online. Respond to requests for information or documents and attend an interview or test if asked.
Check your application statusSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of a Canadian citizenship application for a minor?”
Follow the ceremony instructions
If your application is approved, follow the citizenship ceremony instructions you receive and attend and take the oath if asked. Once you become Canadian, you can apply for a Canadian passport.
Prepare for the ceremonySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I prepare for a Canadian citizenship ceremony for a minor?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Provide a photocopy of your birth certificate showing who your parents are. If you were adopted, you can provide a photocopy of your adoption order instead. If your name has changed, include your legal name-change documents.
Guardianship documents *
Provide the legal documents that show your guardian is allowed to apply for you. These may include a court order or a written agreement.
* Only if a legal guardian rather than your parent with custody applies for you.
May need translationParent's citizenship records *
Provide the proof of your Canadian parent's citizenship that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) asks for. Follow the instructions for your application when choosing which record to provide.
* Only if you rely on your parent's Canadian citizenship.
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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