How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship Through Parents or Grandparents When Documents Are Missing
Applying for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate through a parent or grandparent can be challenging especially if you don’t have all the documents IRCC usually requires. While the checklist looks straightforward, real-life situations are often much more complicated.
At Immigroup, we regularly help clients navigate these tricky cases. Here’s what you need to know if you’re missing documents or dealing with inconsistencies.
Typical Documents Required
For most first-time applications through descent, you’ll usually need:
- Your long-form birth certificate (showing your parents’ names)
- Your parent’s long-form birth certificate or Canadian citizenship/naturalization certificate
- Grandparent’s birth certificate or Canadian status proof (if applying through a grandparent)
- Two valid pieces of ID (at least one with a photo)
- Marriage or name change certificates (if applicable)
But what happens if you don’t have any of these?
Missing ID or Primary Documents
If you’re missing a photo ID whether due to loss, theft, or living abroad don’t just submit what you have. IRCC will likely mark your application incomplete.
Instead, include:
- A cover letter explaining why documents are missing and what efforts you made to replace them
- A statutory declaration (with your photo attached), sworn before a notary
- Supporting documents like tax assessments, bank statements, or utility bills to confirm your identity.
- Any documents that could help you eventually obtain photo ID (for example, a birth certificate to apply for a passport or driver’s license)
Examples:
- No photo ID or passport? You may need to apply for a foreign passport first (like a UK passport), then use it to obtain a Canadian ID.
- Only a non-photo health card? Apply for a Verification of Status with your birth certificate, then use that to secure proper ID.
IRCC needs to see that certain documents simply can’t be obtained without first having your Canadian citizenship confirmed.
Mismatched Names Across Documents
Another frequent issue is mismatched names across documents, which can happen when:
- A parent or grandparent used different spellings or names
- Women changed surnames after marriage
- The family member has passed away, making corrections impossible
To resolve this, you’ll need:
- A marriage certificate or official name change document to connect the records.
- If that’s unavailable, a sworn affidavit explaining the name discrepancy, signed by someone who knew the individual (you or another family member).
- An explanation letter alongside the affidavit.
What affidavits should include:
- Full name(s) of the person with different name spellings.
- Details of known aliases and how/why they were used.
- Who the affiant is and how they know this information.
- Notarization details.
Linking Generations Together
For your application to succeed, the documents must clearly connect you to your parent and grandparent:
- Your birth certificate must list your parent’s name
- Your parent’s documents must list your grandparent’s name
- All names must either match or be explained with proper affidavits
When the new citizenship through grandparents process launches, long-form birth certificates and/or naturalization documents will be mandatory.
If You Still Can’t Obtain Certain Documents
You can still apply, but your package must demonstrate why the missing records are unavailable. Always include:
- A detailed explanation
- Supporting affidavits or statutory declarations
- Alternative documents to fill the gaps
Applications that provide clear explanations and legal context are far more likely to succeed than those with unexplained missing pieces.
How We Can Help
At Immigroup, we specialize in complex Canadian citizenship cases involving: Lost or unavailable records, Deceased relatives’ documents, Multi-country documentation challenges
If you’re applying with missing or inconsistent paperwork, our team can build a strong, well-supported application to give you the best chance of approval.
