Documents establishing citizenship
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Circumstances of applicant
Born in Canada
Exception: children born in Canada and neither parent is a citizen or permanent resident and either parent is a representative of a foreign government (e.g. diplomat), their employee, or anyone granted diplomatic privileges or immunities
Document required:
Birth certificate issued by a province or territory.
Born outside Canada to a Canadian parent on or after February 15, 1977
Documents required:
- Birth certificate showing parentage, issued by the responsible government authorities in the country where the person was born.
- Proof that a parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of the person’s birth (provincial or territorial birth certificate or a certificate of citizenship/ naturalization).
Replacement of a certificate or a certificate of registration of birth abroad
Document required:
All original citizenship and naturalization certificate(s).
Born outside Canada to a Canadian* parent before January 1, 1947
* A British subject parent who would have been considered a Canadian citizen if the 1947 Act had come into force immediately before the person’s birth.
Documents required:
- Birth certificate showing parentage, issued by the responsible government authorities in the country where the person was born.
- Provincial or territorial birth certificate, or other documentation to establish that the natural father, or the natural mother if the parents were not married at the time of the person’s birth, was a British subject at the time of the person’s birth.
- If the person was not a minor (under 21) on January 1, 1947, proof of admission to Canada as a landed immigrant (immigration document or British passport used to originally enter Canada if it includes original entry/admission stamp).
- If applicable, parents’ marriage certificate.
British subject who lived in Canada for 20 years immediately before 1947
Documents required:
- Birth certificate issued by the responsible government authorities in the country where the person was born.
- For women only, details of husband’s nationality.
British subject who lived in Canada as a landed immigrant for at least 5 years before 1947
Documents required:
- Birth certificate issued by the responsible government authorities in the country where the person was born.
- Proof of admission to Canada as a landed immigrant (immigration document or British passport used to originally enter Canada if it includes original entry/admission stamp).
- For women only, details of husband’s nationality.
Women who were married to a Canadian* before 1947 and who entered Canada as a landed immigrant before 1947
* A British subject man who would have been considered a Canadian citizen if the 1947 Act had come into force immediately before the marriage.
Documents required:
- Birth certificate issued by the responsible government authorities in the country where the person was born.
- Marriage certificate.
- Husband’s provincial or territorial birth certificate, or other document to establish that the husband would have been a Canadian citizen had the 1947 Act come into force immediately before the marriage.
- Proof of admission to Canada as a landed immigrant (immigration document or British passport used to originally enter Canada if it includes original entry/admission stamp).
Women who were born in Canada or who were British subject by other means, and who lost British subject status upon or during marriage before 1947
Documents required:
- Birth certificate issued by the responsible government authorities in the country where the person was born.
- Marriage certificate.
- Proof of husband’s foreign nationality.
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