Guide CIT 0014 - Application for Canadian Citizenship for a Person Adopted by a Canadian Citizen - Part 2 - Adoptee’s Application
Table of Contents
This is not a legal document. For legal information, refer to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations or the Citizenship Act and Regulations, as applicable.
This application is made available free by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is not to be sold to applicants.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.
Overview
Application package
This application package has:
- an instruction guide, and
- the forms you need to fill out.
The instruction guide:
- has information you must know before you submit your application, and
- explains how to fill out the forms and gather your supporting documents.
Read the instruction guide completely and then fill out each of the applicable forms.
The forms are designed with questions that will help the processing of your application.
Symbols used in this guide
This guide uses these symbols to draw your attention to important information:
Important information that you need to know to avoid delays or other problems.
Where to get more information.
Note: Tips that will help you with this application.
Before you apply
Two-part application process
This application package is the second part of a two-part process.
Part 2 – Adoptee’s Application is to assess the adopted person’s eligibility for Canadian citizenship.
Note
Do you have your Part 1 decision letter?
Part 2 of the application will not be processed until Part 1 – Confirmation of Canadian Citizenship of the Adoptive Parent(s) has been approved and you have been advised submit Part 2 of the application.
Do not start completing Part 2 of the application until you have received a decision letter confirming that Part 1 of the application has been approved.
The adopted person
The adopted person is someone who:
- is not a Canadian citizen; and
- has at least one adoptive parent who, at the time of their adoption, was or is a Canadian citizen or, for adoptions that took place prior to January 1, 1947, has at least one adoptive parent who became a Canadian citizen on January 1, 1947 (or April 1, 1949, in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador for adoptions that took place prior to April 1, 1949) and is not subject to the first generation limit or is eligible to benefit from one of the exceptions to the first generation limit.
The category of adopted persons includes:
- persons who are minors (under 18 years of age) at the time of application
- persons who were adopted as minors but are adults (18 years of age or older) at the time of application, and
- persons who were adopted as adults.
Who may submit Part 2 of the application?
The following persons may submit Part 2 of the application:
- a Canadian citizen who wants to apply for Canadian citizenship on behalf of a person they have adopted who is under 18 years of age;
- a person who is 18 years of age or older, was adopted by a Canadian citizen and wants to apply for Canadian citizenship; or
- a legal guardian or a non-Canadian parent of an adopted person who is under 18 years of age who wants to apply for Canadian citizenship on their behalf, if the adopted person had at least one Canadian citizen parent at the time of adoption.
Important information: Adopted persons 18 years of age or older must fill out and sign their own application.
Quebec adoptions
Under the Civil Code of Quebec, adoptions from countries not party to the Hague Convention must be recognized by a court in Quebec. This step takes place only after the adopted person arrives in Quebec. However, Canadian citizenship can be granted to adopted persons destined to Quebec before they arrive in Canada, as long as a full adoption has been completed in the person's country of residence. The central adoption authority of the Quebec government must first confirm to IRCC that it does not object to the adoption before Canadian citizenship can be granted to the adopted person.
Important information
Possible loss of foreign citizenship
The adopted person could lose their foreign citizenship if they become a Canadian citizen. If you have any questions about this, you should contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country of the adopted person’s foreign citizenship.
Step 1. Gather the documents
What documents are required?
This section identifies the documents that you will need to send with Part 2 of the application. Please use and attach the Document Checklist: Part 2 – Adoptee’s Application (CIT 0485) (opens in new tab) to ensure that your application includes all of the required documents.
- Part 2 – Adoptee’s Application (CIT 0012) (opens in new tab)
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CIT 0012, completed, dated and signed.
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Two pieces of the adopted person’s personal identification
- Both pieces of personal identification should show the name and date of birth of the adopted person, and at least one should have their photograph on it, if available.
Examples include:
- a driver’s licence;
- a health insurance card;
- a birth certificate;
- a hospital record;
- an immunization record;
- a copy of the biodata page of the adopted person’s passport containing their photograph and personal details, etc.
Format: Clear and legible certified copies
For more information. See: “Certified copies of documents” in Step 1. - one of the following supporting documents (except for adopted persons destined to the province of Quebec):
- adoption order; or
- adoption judgment; or
- adoption certificate.
OR
For adopted persons destined to the province of Quebec:
If the adoption has been finalized by a court in Quebec, one of the following documents:
- jugement d’adoption; or
- jugement sur requête en adoption; or
- reconnaissance de jugement d’adoption; or
- certificat d’inscription d’adoption; or
- attestation d’adoption; or
- lettre d’attestation d’adoption.
Format: Clear and legible certified copy
For more information. See: “Quebec adoptions” in the “Before you apply” section if the adopted person is destined to the province of Quebec.Note: The document must show the adopted person’s name, date of birth, place of birth and the name(s) of the adoptive parent(s).
- All of the following supporting documents (if available and applicable to the adopted person):
- the adopted person’s original birth certificate showing the names of their biological parents;
- for orphaned children: the death certificate of their biological parents (certified authentic by the appropriate local government authority).
Note: For the purpose of a grant of Canadian citizenship under the adoption provisions of the Citizenship Act, the term “biological parents” means the “legal parents at birth” of the adopted person.
Format: Clear and legible certified copies
- Two identical citizenship application photographs of the adopted person
For more information. The photographs must have been taken within the last six months and be in accordance with the Citizenship Application Photograph Specifications included at the end of this guide.
- One photograph must be sent with Part 2 of the application (put the photograph in a small envelope).
- Note: You must keep the second photograph.
You will receive a decision letter by mail after the assessment of Part 1 of the application, and if Part 1 of the application is approved, it will include instructions to send this photograph with the Canadian Citizenship Certificate Preparation Form.
Format: Originals
- Other documents:
- documentation proving legal guardianship (if the legal guardian is applying for Canadian citizenship on behalf of the adopted person);
- translations of any documents submitted that are not in English or French (translations must include an affidavit), if applicable;
- documentation to prove a change of name (such as a legal change of name document), if applicable.
For more information. See: “Change of name” in this section.- documentation to support a date of birth correction, if applicable
For more information. See: “Date of birth correction” in this section.- Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476), if applicable (original)
For more information. For instructions on completing the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476), see: Guide 5561 – Instructions – Use of a Representative- the document checklist.
Format: Clear and legible certified copies
Certified true copies
To have a photocopy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare the original document to the photocopy and must print all of the following on the photocopy:
- “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”;
- the name of the original document;
- the date of the certification;
- the name of the authorized person;
- their official position or title; and
- their signature.
Who can certify copies?
Only authorized people can certify copies.
Important information: Certifying of copies must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by an applicant’s parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin.
People authorized to certify copies include the following:
In Canada:
Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Check with your local provincial or territorial authorities to learn who has the authority to certify.
Outside Canada:
- a notary public
Authority to certify international documents varies by country. Check with your local authorities to learn who has the authority to certify in your country.
Translation of documents
You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French:
- the English or French translation; and
- an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator).
Translations may be done by:
- a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French, and the unofficial language); or
- a Canadian certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada).
If the translation isn’t done by a Canadian certified translator, the person who completed the translation must provide an affidavit swearing to their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.
The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of:
In Canada:
Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Consult your local provincial or territorial authorities.
Outside of Canada:
- a notary public
Authority to administer oaths varies by country. Consult your local authorities.
Important information: Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by members of the applicant’s family. This includes a parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and first cousin.
Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translators who are certified in Canada don’t need to supply an affidavit.
Note
Photographs
You will need two identical citizenship application photographs of the adopted person taken within six months of the date of this application.
- One photograph must be submitted with Part 2 of the application (put the photograph in a small envelope).
- One photograph must be submitted with the Canadian Citizenship Certificate Preparation Form that you will receive with your decision letter after the assessment of Part 1 of the application.
Follow the steps of the Citizenship Application Photograph Specifications, to make sure that you obtain acceptable citizenship application photographs of the adopted person.
Name change
Consult the information below to determine the documents that are to be included with your application.
If you have legally changed your name within Canada
Then you must submit a copy of the change of name document issued by a Canadian province or territory, or by the appropriate foreign-state authority. The document must show both your previous and amended names.
The following documents are accepted:
- Legal change of name document
- Court order specifying name change
- Adoption order
The following documents are accepted for changes to family name only:
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Registration or declaration of union issued by civil authorities
- Revocation of declaration or annulment of union issued by civil authorities
- Registration for common-law relationship, in provinces that permit changes of name for common-law relationships under their provincial/territorial law
If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing in Canada
Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:
- A foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
- A document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation); and
- A document in the new name from Canadian provinces or territories (ex. driver's licence, health card, age of majority card, senior citizen’s identification card, or social service card)
If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing outside Canada
Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:
- a foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
- a document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation) or other foreign legal change of name document issued by foreign authorities; and
- an authoritative national or state/province (or equivalent) issued photo identification document issued in the country or state/province in which you reside that displays the new name, such as:
- a foreign passport or other travel documents, if you are a dual citizen;
- a state/provincial (or equivalent) identification card.
If you have applied and obtained an amendment to your Record of Landing, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence due to errors made by Canadian immigration officials when recording your name, then you must submit a copy of the amendment or a letter confirming the change of name.
Important information: Once processing of your application has begun a name change can only be made due to an administrative error made by the Department, or a legal change of name.
Important information: You cannot request a change of an adopted person’s name after Part 2 of the application has been submitted.
If satisfactory documentation is not provided with the application to support the request for a change of name, the name that appears on the citizenship certificate will be the name listed on the adoption order.
Date of birth correction
The date of birth that appears on the adopted person’s citizenship certificate will be the same as that listed on the adoption order unless:
- for permanent residents of Canada, the date of birth has been corrected on the adopted person’s immigration document; or
- it has been legally changed; or
- the adopted person is requesting a different date of birth for the citizenship certificate and can provide documentation to support their request.
- If the adopted person is a permanent resident of Canada, and their date of birth has been corrected on their immigration document, then you must provide a copy of:
- the approved Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Document or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 1436) (opens in a new tab) .
- If the adopted person has legally changed their date of birth through a foreign court order, then you must provide a copy of:
- the foreign court order showing the change of the adopted person’s date of birth and
- a completed Request to Correct a Date of Birth for a Permanent Resident Document or Citizenship Certificate [IRM 0003] (PDF, 2.4 MB).
- If the adopted person did not change their date of birth by a foreign court order and they are a permanent resident and their date of birth has not been corrected on their immigration document, then you must provide a copy of:
- a refused Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Document or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 1436) (opens in a new tab) ; and
- a completed Request to Correct a Date of Birth for a Permanent Resident Document or Citizenship Certificate [IRM 0003] (PDF, 2.4 MB); and
- documentation to support the request for a correction of the adopted person’s date of birth.
Important information: You cannot request a correction of the adopted person’s date of birth after Part 2 of the application has been submitted. If satisfactory documentation is not provided with the application to support the request for a correction of their date of birth, the date of birth that appears on the citizenship certificate will be the date of birth listed on the adoption order.
Important information: If you do not have a court order showing the change of the adopted person’s date of birth and the adopted person is a permanent resident of Canada, you must first request an amendment to their immigration document before requesting a correction of their date of birth on the citizenship certificate.
For more information. For information on amending the adopted person’s immigration document:
refer to the guide Request to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents (IMM 5218).
Gender change
If you need to change the gender on your citizenship certificate or would like to use a different gender than the one on your immigration document, complete and submit the Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (opens in a new tab) with your application.
Step 2. Complete the application
Filling out the Part 2 application form
Follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete the Part 2 application form.
The following forms must be filled out and submitted:
-
Part 2 – Adoptee’s Application (CIT 0012)
Get the instructions (opens in a new tab)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable
Optional:
- Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (opens in a new tab)
Note: It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on your application form. The information you provide on your application form may be subject to verification.
Step 3. Mail the application
Track your application
If you’re submitting a paper application, we recommend you use a postal or courier service with tracking so you have proof your application was delivered.
Where to mail the application
Mail your completed application form and required documents in a stamped envelope to the address shown below:
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Your Postal Code)
You must send Part 2 of the application to the address listed in the decision letter for Part 1 of the application that you received from the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Important information: It is very important that you mail Part 2 of the application to that address. If you cannot find your Part 1 decision letter, consult the Help Centre.
For more information. See: “ Need Help” at the end of this guide.
Sign and date the application form
The Part 2 application form must be signed and dated before it is mailed.
If the adopted person is:
- 18 years of age or older, they must sign and date the application form;
- under 18 years of age, the application form must be signed and dated by one of their parents or legal guardians.
Children who are 14 years of age or older must also sign the application form.
Note: If your application form is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you.
Send the document checklist with Part 2 of the application
Make sure you use the document checklist and include it with Part 2 of the application.
If you are sending more than one application
If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for multiple family members), mail all of the applications together in one envelope so that they will be processed together.
Important information: If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for multiple family members) and one of the applications is incomplete, all of the applications will be returned to you.
Important information
Canadian Citizenship Certificate Preparation Form
Do not forget to send the Canadian Citizenship Certificate Preparation Form (CIT 0480) with a photograph of the adopted person to the CPC in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
What happens next?
Processing of Part 2 of the application
This section explains the phases of processing for Part 2 of the application.
Phase: Initial Review
We review Part 2 of the application to make sure that all required documents have been submitted.
Phase: Verification of the Adoption
We verify that the adoption meets the requirements of the Citizenship Act and Regulations.
Phase: Decision letter
After the assessment of Part 2 of the application, we will send you a decision letter.
If Part 2 of the application is approved, the adopted person will be granted Canadian citizenship and you will receive:
- a decision letter confirming that the adopted person has been granted Canadian citizenship; and
- a Canadian citizenship certificate for the adopted person.
If Part 2 of the application is refused, you will receive:
- a refusal letter.
Note: An interview with the adoptive parent(s), the adopted person and any other individual(s) involved in the adoption may be required during the application process.
Important information
Updating your contact information
During the Citizenship process, you must advise us of any change of address or telephone number.
If you reside in Canada
- select Change my address
If you reside outside Canada
- contact the Canadian visa office responsible for the country where you reside.
Checking application status
You can check the status of the minor’s application online. The status will only appear online once we receive and have accepted the minor’s application into processing.
Find out how to remove the minor's application status information from the Internet.
Protecting your information
Your personal information is:
- available to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it to provide the services to you, and
- not disclosed to other organizations except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act or the Citizenship Regulations.
For more information about the protection of your data, visit the Frequently Asked Questions/Help Centre.
Important information
Important information for adoptive parents returning to Canada with the adopted person
The adopted person’s passport or travel document for travel to Canada: document(s) required for travel to Canada
The adopted person may require a passport to travel to Canada. Depending on the country where the adopted person resides, the adopted person may or may not be able to travel to Canada with a Canadian passport. Some countries do not allow their citizens to leave on any travel document other than their national passport, in which case an immigration facilitation visa for the adopted person will be required.
Note: Adoptions from the United States
While a person adopted from the United States may not need a travel document (passport or facilitation visa) to travel to Canada, all provincial or territorial adoption requirements and Hague Convention requirements must be met and they must be granted Canadian citizenship prior to entering Canada.
Canadian passport:
Adopted persons granted Canadian citizenship are entitled to Canadian passport services.
With your consent, IRCC will share the personal information of the adopted person contained in their citizenship application with consular officials at the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to facilitate their Canadian passport application process. IRCC will provide a letter to the applicant advising them that Canadian citizenship has been granted to the adopted person. This letter may be presented to Canadian consular officials by the applicant when applying for a Canadian passport for the adopted person. This letter is not proof of Canadian citizenship.
For additional information or to obtain a Canadian passport application form, please visit the Passport Canada website.
Facilitation visa:
In certain cases, after Canadian citizenship has been granted to the adopted person, the passport of their country of origin may be used for travel to Canada. This may occur in situations where the adopted person cannot exit their country of birth with a Canadian passport, or where the adoptive parents opt to travel to Canada with the adopted person before a Canadian passport can be issued to them abroad. In certain circumstances, it is not possible or it would cause unreasonable delay for the adopted person to travel to Canada on a Canadian passport. Note that a facilitation visa is available to all adopted persons who are granted Canadian citizenship.
In such cases, it is possible for the adopted person to obtain a facilitation visa through the visa office once they have been granted Canadian citizenship. The facilitation visa is placed in the passport of the adopted person’s country of origin, and will enable them to travel to Canada for the first time. If the adopted person is from a visa-exempt country, then they would not require a facilitation visa (however, they would still require a valid travel document in order to be able to travel to Canada). Facilitation visas are used mostly in a consular context to assist Canadians to depart from, or transit through, the country of their other citizenship. A facilitation visa is not proof of Canadian citizenship.
Note:
- There is no application form to complete to request a facilitation visa.
- There is a processing fee for the facilitation visa, payable at the visa office (please consult the relevant visa office website for the acceptable methods of payment).
- Adoptive parents must request a facilitation visa for the adopted person by adding a note to Part 2 of the application and including with it the passport of the adopted person’s country of origin (the facilitation visa will be affixed in the passport of the adopted person's country of origin).
- Processing times for facilitation visas are short (in general, they range from same-day service to a couple of days, depending upon the visa office processing the request for a facilitation visa).
The facilitation visa in the passport of the adopted person’s country of origin must be shown to a Canadian border services officer when they arrive in Canada.
Make sure to inform yourself of the requirements for obtaining a passport or travel document for the adopted person before making plans to bring them to Canada.
If you are unsure whether or not a facilitation visa is required for the adopted person, you may:
- visit the Canadian visa office website, or
- contact the Canadian visa office.
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship:
Once Canadian citizenship has been granted to the adopted person and the Canadian Citizenship Certificate Preparation Form has been received by the CPC in Sydney, Nova-Scotia, it will issue a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship for the adopted person. The citizenship certificate is produced in Canada only. The adopted person’s citizenship certificate will be mailed by the CPC to either the Canadian mailing address of the adoptive parent(s) or the legal guardian of the adopted person, the visa office responsible for the adopted person’s country of residence or the address of the applicant’s authorized representative. Where the citizenship certificate will be sent to the visa office responsible for the adopted person’s country of residence, the visa office will arrange to have the citizenship certificate transmitted to the adoptive parent(s) or the legal guardian of the adopted person, or to the adopted person themselves, if they are applying on their own. A citizenship certificate is proof of citizenship. It is not a travel document.
Need help?
If you need help, you can find answers to your questions by visiting the Help Centre.
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