Get Your First Canadian Citizenship Certificate Through a Parent or Grandparent

If you were born outside Canada, you may already be a Canadian citizen through your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or even great-great-grandparent. To access your rights, you need to apply for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship). This certificate is essential for obtaining a Canadian passport and enjoying the benefits of Canadian citizenship.

Fees for First Canadian Citizenship Certificate

 

Type of Service	Through Parent	Through Grandparent	Through Great-Grandparent	Through Great-Great-Grandparent
Regular Processing	$783	$849	$1149	Contact Us
Urgent Processing	$1122	$1249	$1349	Contact Us

*All fees are in USD and include Government Fees

Processing Times:

• Through a parent: approx. 3 months
• Through a grandparent or beyond: expected to take 12+ months
• Expedited processing is at the discretion of an immigration officer.

If you believe you qualify for Canadian citizenship through a grandparent, great-grandparent, or great-great-grandparent, click here to start your application.

Canadian Citizenship Through a Parent

If you were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, you are already a Canadian citizen- you just need documentation to prove it.

Benefits of having proof of Canadian citizenship include:

• Living in Canada
• Working in Canada
• Studying in Canada
• Sponsoring relatives for permanent residence
• Obtaining a Canadian passport
• Voting in Canadian elections
• Holding government jobs that require security clearance

Inheriting Canadian Citizenship

• Canadian citizenship can be passed down through biological or adoptive parents.
• Legal Parents at Birth (those listed on a child’s original birth certificate, including same-sex couples) also pass down citizenship.
• Children can apply for proof of citizenship at any age. Parents can apply on behalf of minors, and individuals can apply themselves once they turn 18.
• A child of a Canadian citizen can apply for proof of Canadian citizenship regardless of whether their Canadian parent is still living.

Proof of Canadian Citizenship Application Process

If a child has inherited Canadian citizenship from a parent, then they do not apply to naturalize as Canadian citizens in the same way as immigrants to Canada. This is because technically they are already Canadian citizens, and they simply need to apply for proof of this status.

To apply for a Proof of Canadian Citizenship Certificate, applicants must show:

1. That their parents were Canadian citizens at the time of their birth.
2. That the Canadian citizen is legally their parent.

For adopted children, the process includes proving the adoption was legal in both the country of adoption and in Canada.Then, they have to prove that their parent was Canadian at the time of the adoption just as described above.

Applications from Canada or the U.S. are processed domestically. Applications from other countries are first reviewed at the local Canadian Embassy, then finalized in Canada.

Processing Times for Proof of Canadian Citizenship

First-time citizenship certificate applications take longer than replacements.

A first Canadian citizenship certificate application submitted from an applicant in Canada or the US takes approximately one year to finalize  and receive the certificate.

For applicants outside of Canada and the US, processing times are usually closer to one and a half years.

If an applicant has special circumstances which would warrant urgent processing of their application, then they may request expedited processing. Circumstances which may warrant urgent processing of your first citizenship application include:

• A Canadian job offer
• Acceptance to a Canadian school

These are some of the most common reasons for urgent processing, however other reasons are accepted.

If you or your child was born outside Canada and want to claim your Canadian citizenship, contact us or start your application below.

 

Canadian Citizenship Through a Grandparent

In a landmark decision, the Federal Court struck down the “first-generation limit” on Canadian citizenship by descent (introduced in 2009). The Government of Canada confirmed it will not appeal. As a result, Bill C-71 (now Bill C-3) amended the Citizenship Act, granting citizenship rights to second-generation children born abroad.

Over the past 10 years, our office has helped thousands of Canadians born outside Canada claim their Canadian citizenship.

 

Application Process for Canadian Citizenship Through a Grandparent

 

Children born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who was born in Canada or naturalized currently go through an application process to obtain proof of their Canadian citizenship. When the application is approved, they are issued a Canadian citizenship certificate (previously Canadian citizenship card). This document serves as proof that they are Canadian, and are entitled to a Canadian passport and all other rights enjoyed by Canadians.

IRCC has not yet announced the specifics of the application process for second generation Canadian citizens born outside Canada (grandchildren of Canadian grandparents), but it is expected to work very similarly to the first Citizenship certificate application process used by

children of Canadian citizens.

Documents Required for Your First Canadian Citizenship Certificate Application

When you apply, you will need to submit:

1. Completed and signed application form CIT0001 (to be updated by IRCC once Bill C-3 is fully implemented)
2. Two pieces of valid ID such as a passport, driver’s license, or health card (one with a photo)
3. Long-form birth certificates for you and your parent (showing parents’ names)
4. Your grandparent’s birth certificate or
5. Parent’s or grandparent’s proof of Canadian citizenship (citizenship certificate) if they naturalized in Canada.
6. Proof of name changes, if applicable
7. Certified color copies of all documents

IRCC may also request additional documents during processing.

Proving Canadian Citizenship Through a Grandparent

To succeed, you must show clear documentary evidence, such as:

• Your birth certificate (long form with parents’ names)
• Your parent’s long-form birth certificate
• Your grandparent’s Canadian birth certificate (short or long form) or naturalization certificate
• Your parent’s or grandparent’s proof of Canadian citizenship (if they naturalized)

The responsibility is on the applicant to provide strong evidence because IRCC will not investigate weak or incomplete claims.

If you have a Grandparent that was born in Canada and want to claim your Canadian citizenship, contact us or start your application below.

How Immigroup Can Help?

At Immigroup, we specialize in helping individuals and families obtain proof of Canadian citizenship. Whether you were born abroad to a Canadian parent or believe you may already be a citizen, our experienced team will guide you through every step, from confirming eligibility to preparing and submitting all required documents.

 

We know that proving your Canadian status is more than paperwork, it opens the door to valuable rights and privileges such as a Canadian passport, healthcare, education, and security for your future.

 

Click below to book a consultation and confirm your eligibility for proof of citizenship.