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 (PDF, 311.98KB) to ensure that your application includes all of the required documents.
- Part 2 – Adoptee’s Application (PDF, 2.04MB)
CIT 0012, completed, dated and signed.
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 personFor 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:
- 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 Citizenship (PDF, 1.15MB) (CIT 0464).
- 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 the Record of Landing (IMM 1000), Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) or Valid Temporary Resident Documents (IMM 1436) (PDF, 743.26KB); and
- a completed Request to Correct a Date of Birth for Citizenship (PDF, 1.15MB) (CIT 0464); 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] (PDF, 1.79 MB) 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] (PDF, 2.04MB)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable
Optional:
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.
Important information
Be complete and accurate
Complete all sections. If a section does not apply to you, write “Not Applicable” or “NA”. If your application is incomplete it may be returned to you and this will delay the processing of your application.
If you need more space for any section, print out an additional page containing the appropriate section, complete it and submit it along with your application.
You must submit a separate application for each adopted person.
Section 1
- Question 1A
-
Write the last name (surname/family name) and given name(s) of the adopted person as indicated on the adoption order.
- Question 1B
-
Would you like to receive service (correspondence or interview) in English or in French? Check the applicable box to identify the official language in which you would like to receive service.
Section 2
- Question 2
-
Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not you have special needs. If yes, write what your special needs are.
Special needs include:
- wheelchair access;
- sign language interpretation;
- personal assistance (for example, you will be accompanied by a care attendant, an interpreter, a guide dog, a sighted guide, etc.).
Note: It is important to provide this information if you need assistance in order for us to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate you.
Section 3
- Question 3
-
NoteYou must receive confirmation that Part 1 of the application (CIT 0010) was approved before submitting Part 2 of the application (CIT 0012).
After having submitted Part 1 of the application, you should have received a decision letter confirming that at least one adoptive parent is a Canadian citizen. Write the date of that letter (year/month/day).
Section 4
- Question 4A
-
Check the applicable box to identify who is applying on behalf of the adopted person:
- the adoptive parent, including a non-Canadian parent (for minors); or
- the adopted person (if 18 years of age or older); or
- the legal guardian (for minors).
Note: A legal guardian or a non-Canadian parent may apply on behalf of an adopted person who is under 18 years of age if the adopted person had at least one Canadian citizen parent at the time of the adoption. If the adopted person is 18 years of age or older, they must complete and sign their own application.
- Question 4B
-
Write the last name (surname/family name) and given name(s) of the person applying for the adopted person’s Canadian citizenship.
- Question 4C
-
Write the complete residential address of the applicant, including the postal code and country.
- Question 4D
-
Write the complete mailing address, including the postal code and country, if different from the residential address in question 4C. If the mailing address is that of a representative, you must write their mailing address in this section and complete the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476).
- Question 4E
-
Write all of the applicable contact details for where you can be reached, including:
- a home telephone number
- a business telephone number
- a cellular telephone number
- a facsimile (fax) number, and
- an e-mail address.
Note: By indicating your e-mail address, you are herby authorizing us to transmit all correspondence, including your file and personal information to this specific e-mail address.
If the contact details are those of a representative, you must write them in this section and complete the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476).
Section 5
- Question 5A
-
Write the date the adoption was completed (year/month/day) as it appears on the adoption order.
For more information. See: “Quebec adoptions” in the “Before you apply” section if the adopted person is destined to the province of Quebec. - Question 5B
-
Write where the adoption was completed (place (city/ town), region/province and country) as it appears on the adoption order.
- Question 5C
-
Write the age of the adopted person at the time of adoption.
- Question 5D
-
Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not the adopted person is a relative of one of the adoptive parents. If yes, indicate the relationship and to which adoptive parent.
Note: A relative is someone who has a relationship with another person either by blood or through marriage (for example: sibling, cousin, niece, nephew, grandchild, etc.).
- Question 5E
-
Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not the adopted person will come to Canada to live immediately after Canadian citizenship is granted.
If yes, write the name of the province or territory in which the adopted person will be living after their arrival in Canada.
Section 6
- Question 6A
-
Write the last name (surname/family name) and given name(s) at birth of the adopted person.
- Question 6B
-
Write the last name (surname/family name) and given name(s) of the adopted person as they appear on their birth certificate or adoption order, if different from question 6A.
- Question 6C
-
Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not the name of the adopted person has changed since birth or the adoption. If yes, and if it is different from the name listed in question 6A or 6B, write the last name (surname/family name) and given name(s) of the adopted person as they appear on the legal change of name document.
Note: You must provide documentation to prove the change of name (if applicable); otherwise the name that appears on the adopted person’s citizenship certificate will be the same as that listed on the adoption order.
For more information. See: “
Name change” in the “Gather the documents” section.
- Question 6D
-
Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not the adopted person has used any other name(s) in the past or is known by a name other than the name(s) listed above. If yes, write the last name(s) (surname(s)/family name(s)), given name(s) and details of the name(s) of the adopted person. Other names can include nicknames, birth name, community names, etc.
- Question 6E
-
Write the full name of the adopted person as it appears on their birth certificate in the adopted person’s native language, if not English or French (for example: Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese characters or Chinese commercial/telegraphic code).
- Question 6F
-
Write the adopted person’s date of birth (year/month/day) and the place (city/ town), the province/region and the country where they were born.
You must provide documentation to support a date of birth correction (if applicable); otherwise the date of birth that appears on the citizenship certificate will be the same as that listed on the adoption order.
For more information. See “Date of birth correction” “Gather the documents” section. - Question 6G
-
Check the applicable box to indicate the gender of the adopted person.
- Question 6H
-
Check the applicable box to indicate the marital status of the adopted person (single/married/common-law/widowed/divorced/separated).
- Question 6I
-
Write the adopted person’s current country or countries of citizenship, including the following information for their passport(s) or travel document(s) (if applicable):
- the current passport or travel document number(s)
- the date the document(s) was/were issued (year/month/day) and its/their expiry date(s) (year/month/day).
Check the applicable box to indicate which passport or travel document will be used to travel to Canada.
Note: If you check the box “I don’t know”, an IRCC visa officer will advise you about what type of documentation the adopted person will require to travel to Canada.
For more information. See: “Important information for adoptive parents returning to Canada with the adopted person” at the end of this guide. - Question 6J
-
Write the following details about each of the adopted person’s biological family members, including their biological parents and biological siblings.
- last name (surname/family name);
- given name(s);
- gender (F Female, M Male or X Another gender);
- date of birth (year/month/day);
- place of birth (city/town);
- country of birth;
- country of citizenship;
- country of residence;
- other countries where a permanent resident;
- marital status (single/married/common-law/widowed/divorced/separated); and
- relationship with the adopted person.
If you do not have a particular piece of information, write “unknown”.
For the purpose of a grant of Canadian citizenship under the adoption provisions of the Citizenship Act, the term “biological family members” means the “legal family members at birth” of the adopted person.
- Question 6K
-
Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not you know where the adopted person currently lives. If yes, write the complete address, including the postal code and country, along with the name of a contact person or organization where the adopted person currently lives. The contact person can be the adopted person if they are an adult (18 years of age or older).
- Question 6L
-
Write the same address you entered in question 6K in the language of the country where the adopted person currently lives, if not English or French (for example: Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese characters or Chinese commercial/telegraphic code).
- Question 6M
-
Write the details for all addresses where the adopted person stayed or lived during the past ten (10) years, starting with their current address. You must account for each month and year during that period (year/month). Enter the complete address, including the street and street number, city/town, province, state or district and country. If there is no street or street number for the address, list as precisely as possible the location of the residence or building.
Note: Do not use post office (P.O.) box addresses.
- Question 6N
-
Write the details to account for what the adopted person has been doing in the past ten (10) years, starting with the most recent activity. Please also account for the adopted person’s activities since turning 13 years of age, should this period of time be longer than the last 10 years. For each activity, write the year and month (year/month) of its start and end, along with the location of where it took place (city/town and country) and the name of the company, employer, school, facility, as applicable. Do not leave gaps between activities (each month for the entire period in question must be accounted for).
For example:
If the adopted person is:
- 30 years of age, you would need to provide details of their activities from 13 years of age onwards.
- 22 years of age or younger, you would only need to provide details of their activities for the last 10 years.
- 10 years of age or younger, you would need to provide details of their activities since birth.
Section 7
- Question 7
Write the following details of the adoptive parent(s):
- their last name(s) (surname/family name);
- their given name(s);
- any other name(s) used (if applicable), including birth name, name(s) from previous marriage(s), aliases, nicknames, etc.;
- their country of birth; and
- their date of birth (year/month/day).
Check the applicable box to indicate the marital status of the adoptive parent(s) (single/married/common-law/widowed/divorced/separated).
Note: If there are two adoptive parents, complete both columns.
Section 8
- Question 8A
-
Write the complete residential address of the adoptive parent(s) or the legal guardian, including the postal code and country, if different from the residential address in question 4C.
- Question 8B
-
Write all of the applicable contact details for where the adoptive parent(s) or the legal guardian can be reached, if different from the contact details in question 4E, including:
- a home telephone number;
- a business telephone number;
- a cellular telephone number;
- a facsimile (fax) number; and
- an e-mail address.
Note: If you provide their e-mail address, you are hereby authorizing us to transmit all correspondence, including your file and personal information to this specific e-mail address.
Section 9
- Question 9
-
If you appoint an individual, firm or organization as your representative, you must complete the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476). Note that once you appoint a representative, all correspondence from us regarding your application will be directed to them and not to you.
For instructions on completing the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476), see: Guide 5561 – Instructions – Use of a Representative.
Section 10
- Question 10A
-
Note: This section is not an application for a Canadian passport. If you intend to apply for a Canadian passport for the adopted person, visit the Passport Canada website.
Canadian passport:
If the adopted person currently resides outside Canada, you may need to apply on their behalf for a Canadian passport to facilitate their travel and admission to Canada.
Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not you intend to apply for a Canadian passport for the adopted person at a Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate if the adopted person is granted Canadian citizenship.
If you check “yes”, proceed to question 10B.
If you check “no”, proceed directly to section 11.
- Question 10B
-
With your consent, IRCC will share with consular officials at the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate the personal information of the adopted person contained in this application in order to facilitate their Canadian passport application process.
Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not you authorize IRCC to release the personal information of the adopted person contained in this application to the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for the purpose of facilitating their Canadian passport application process.
If you check “yes”, print and sign your name and enter the place (city/ town) where the application form was signed along with the date (year/month/day).
Note: If you check “yes”, this will allow the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to obtain the personal information of the adopted person from IRCC on an expedited basis in order to facilitate their Canadian passport application process.
If you check “no”, IRCC will not release the personal information of the adopted person contained in this application to the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
Section 11
-
Read and sign the declaration.
NoteThe parent, legal guardian or adopted person (if 18 years of age or older) must sign the application form and write the place (city/town) where the application form was signed along with the date (year/month/day). The application form should be signed and dated on the same day.
Children who are 14 years of age or older must also sign the application form and write the place (city/town) where the application form was signed along with the date (year/month/day).
The application form must be signed and dated before it is mailed.
Note: Your application will be returned to you if:- You have appointed an individual, firm or organization as your representative and you did not submit the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) with your application or this form was submitted incomplete.
- You appoint a compensated representative who is not a member of the designated bodies:
- Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC);
- lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society and students-at-law under their supervision; and
- notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec or a student-at-law under their supervision.
Step 3. Mail the application
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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