CIT 0302 - Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship under Subsection 9(1)

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Citizenship fees
• How to complete your application
• Where to send your application
• What happens next

Overview

This application is for an adult Canadian citizen who wishes to renounce their Canadian citizenship. To renounce your Canadian citizenship you must prove you are a Canadian citizen. You must also prove that you are, or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada, if this application to renounce is approved.

Why you need to read this guide?

This guide provides all of the instructions necessary to complete this application. As a result of reading the guide, you should be able to:

• complete the application form, and
• determine what supporting documents need to be included.

What happens if I renounce my Canadian Citizenship?

If you renounce your Canadian citizenship, you lose all the rights and privileges of being a Canadian citizen and will have no status in Canada. This means that if you wish to return to Canada permanently, you will have to apply for a permanent resident visa. If you wish to return to Canada temporarily (to visit, work or study), you will have to apply for a temporary resident visa, if applicable.

Before you apply

Read the instructions carefully. They contain important information. Be sure you are eligible to apply before you submit your application. There is no refund of the processing fee.

What are the requirements?

To be eligible to renounce your Canadian citizenship, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen;
• prove that you are or that you will become a citizen of a country other than Canada if your application to renounce is approved;
• not live in Canada;
• be at least 18 years old;
• not be a threat to Canada’s security or part of a pattern of criminal activity; and
• understand the significance of renouncing your Canadian citizenship.

Who cannot apply to renounce Canadian citizenship?

You are not eligible to renounce your Canadian citizenship if Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has begun the process of revoking your citizenship under section 10 or 10.1 of the Act. This measure will stay in effect until IRCC informs you of the decision on the revocation.

What you must send with your application

Refer to the Document Checklist (CIT 0402) (PDF, 295.62KB) to assist you in gathering the necessary documentation.

You need to provide clear and easy-to-read colour copies of your documents, unless otherwise stated.

Note: If any of the required documents are missing, or the photocopies are of poor quality, your application may be returned to you.

Documents issued in Quebec

Baptismal certificates, birth certificates, and marriage certificates issued in Quebec before January 1, 1994, are no longer accepted. If you have one of these certificates, you must obtain a new document. This can be done by contacting the office of the Directeur de l’état civil du Québec.

You must:

• provide one (1) citizenship photograph;
• print the Citizenship Photo Specifications page and take it to the photographer to make sure you get the correct size photo;
• follow the steps explained on the form; and
• not staple, glue or otherwise attach the photo directly to the application.

Citizenship fees

Your fees

Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid. Fees must be included with this application.

Explanation of fees and refunds

The following table describes the fees that are required and if they are refundable. All payment must be made in Canadian funds.

Processing Fee

Amount: $100 for each person

Non-refundable once processing has begun, regardless of the final decision.

Outside Canada only

The following mode of payment may be used if you do not have access to the Internet.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you may pay directly to the Canadian embassy, High Commission or consulate closest to your home.

Make sure you submit your completed application and the correct fees. If more than one adult member of your family is applying for renunciation of Canadian citizenship, pay all the fees together.

Note: The only acceptable forms of payment outside Canada are online or payment directly to the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your area.

You can find information on fee payment methods outside Canada by

• Going to Pay your fees.
• Selecting Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates.

You must choose the consular office responsible for your area.

Note: Consular offices cannot accept:

• receipts for fees paid in Canada, or
• personal cheques.

How to complete your application

The following are the forms that must be filled out and submitted:

• Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship [CIT 0302] (PDF, 1.86MB)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable (PDF, 648.31KB)

Optional:

• Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier [IRM 0002] (PDF, 1.79MB)

Follow the instructions carefully. Delays will result if the application is not properly completed, or if all of the necessary documents have not been submitted. If you need more space to answer any questions use an extra sheet of paper and indicate the number and/or letter of the question you are answering.

Warning: If you send us an application that has any misleading or fraudulent information on it, you can be charged with a criminal offence, and you may be subject to criminal prosecution in a court and refusal of your application for renunciation of citizenship.

Follow these step-by-step instructions

Section 1

You must indicate whether you would like service in English or French.

Section 2

Please enter your UCI or “Unique Client Identifier”, the 8 or 10 digit number that is unique to your IRCC immigration and citizenship records.

If you do not have a UCI, enter “not applicable” or “NA”. If you do not know your UCI, enter “Unknown.”

Section 3

• Provide your first and last name as they appear on your birth or citizenship certificate
• Enter any other names by which you are known, or have been known (for example: previous family names, other given names, aliases, nicknames)
• Print your date of birth exactly as it appears on your certificate of Canadian citizenship or your birth certificate. This is the date of birth that will appear on your certificate of renunciation of Canadian citizenship.
• Indicate the place and country or territory of birth (e.g. Paris, France)
• Indicate whether you are F Female, M Male or X Another gender, your height, the colour of your eyes.

Section 4

In this section you can request a change to the personal details that appear on your previous citizenship certificate or, if this will be your first certificate, the personal details that appear on your birth certificate.

If you want to change your name(s) or your date of birth or your gender, please check the 'Yes' response. Otherwise, check the 'No' response and proceed to section 5.

If you check 'Yes', you'll need to check the box that describes your change of personal details request, and then enter the requested information in the spaces provided.

Request for a different name: If you want a name that is different from the name(s) you provided in section 3, or section 5, if this is your first application enter the requested surname/last name and given name(s) in the spaces provided. Include the required supporting documents with your application. See details above.

Request for a different date of birth: If you want a date of birth that is different from the date of birth you provided in section 3, if this is your first application, enter the requested date of birth in the space provided. Include the required supporting documents with your application. See details above.

Section 5

• You must indicate if you ever had a certificate of Canadian citizenship or naturalization by checking “no” or “yes”. If you check “yes”, write down the surname/last name, given names, certificate number and the date the certificate was issued.
• You must indicate whether you are returning the certificate of Canadian citizenship and/or the pink transmission copy of a certificate with your application. If not, indicate if the certificate was stolen, lost, or destroyed. Indicate if the theft or loss was reported to police and give details. You must return any Canadian citizenship certificates in your possession. Failure to do so will result in delays in processing your application.
• Write down your surname/last name and given names, as they appear on your certificate of Canadian citizenship or birth certificate.
• If you have legally changed your name, indicate what your new name is. Remember to supply the original or a certified true copy of your legal change of name document (for example, provincial/foreign government change of name certificate, court order, marriage certificate, adoption order, divorce decree, etc.).
• If you have used another name in the past, or are known by a name other than the one you listed above, write it down on the application form. (Other names can include your birth name, nicknames, call names, community names, etc.)
• You may request that the certificate of renunciation of Canadian citizenship show a name other than the one on your Canadian citizenship certificate or birth certificate, if you can provide identification to support the name you are requesting. If this change is significant, linking documentation showing the use of both names or the basis for the change will also be required. Examples of linking documents include a marriage certificate, a foreign change of name certificate, an adoption order, a foreign passport showing both names or a divorce decree.

Section 6

You must indicate if you have ever applied to renounce your Canadian citizenship before. Check “no” or “yes”. If “ yes” give the date you last applied.

Section 7

Check the box to indicate if you are a citizen or a national of a country other than Canada. If yes, indicate the name of the country.

If no, and you are not a citizen of another country, write the name of the country of which you will become a citizen if your application to renounce Canadian citizenship is approved. Attach proof.

Check the box to indicate if you live outside of Canada and attach proof when submitting your application.

Section 8

If you are a woman and married before January 1, 1947:

• Print your spouse's surname/last name, given names, country and date of birth.
• Print the country in which you were married and the date of your marriage.
• Indicate if your spouse is a Canadian citizen; if your spouse is, provide the details.
• Enter the number from your spouse’s citizenship certificate, if your spouse has one, and the date your spouse acquired citizenship.

Section 9

If your most recent certificate of Canadian citizenship was issued before February 15, 1977 or you have never had a certificate, list all absences from Canada of one year or longer before 1977. List from the date you left Canada to the date you returned. Indicate the country where you went and the reason for the absence.

Section 10

1. Indicate if you are claiming Canadian citizenship by birth outside Canada to a Canadian parent.
2. Indicate if you have entered Canada. If yes, write down the date you entered.
3. Indicate if you were a British subject living in Canada before 1947. If yes, write down the date you entered Canada.

Section 11

Answer all questions on information regarding your parents:

• Indicate the relationship of your parents to you by indicating biological, adoptive or legal parent at birth.
  • “biological parent” (means you have a genetic or gestational connection to that parent)
    • select “biological parent” if your parent is both your biological and legal parent at birth, or
    • your parent has a biological connection to you and they are not listed on your birth certificate but you have birth records and documents that recognize your parent(s). (ex. pre-birth orders, court orders, surrogacy agreements, hospital records, etc.)
    • Note: After submitting your application, IRCC might request a DNA test to confirm parentage. IRCC will also provide a list of accredited laboratories to complete the DNA test. In these cases, DNA results must have an accuracy of 99.8% or higher.
  • “adoptive parent” (means that you were legally adopted after you were born)
  • “legal parent at birth” (means that your biological or non-biological parent was listed on the original birth certificate or birth record issued at the time of your birth)
    • your parent was listed on your original birth certificate issued at the time of your birth, and / or
    • you have birth records and documents that recognize your parent(s) at the time of your birth (ex. pre-birth orders, court orders, surrogacy agreements, hospital records, etc.)
    • does not include adoptive parents (even those recognized right after birth) or legal guardians.
• Print your parents surname and last name, given names, date of birth and place and country of birth.
• Indicate where your parents were married (if applicable) and the date of the marriage.
• Indicate how your parents obtained Canadian citizenship.
• Indicate if your parents have left Canada for more than one year before 1977. If yes, write the dates they were away and the country (countries) they visited.
• Indicate if your parents are or were citizens of a country other than Canada. If yes, write the details showing the country, date and how the citizenship was obtained.
• Indicate if your parents were employed in Canada by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.
• If your parents were born in Canada, indicate if one of your grandparents was employed by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.

Section 12

• Provide your last and first name
• Provide your e-mail address using a format similar to the following: name@provider.net
• Provide your current home address complete with postal code (or foreign equivalent).
• If your mailing address is different from your home address, include your mailing address, complete with postal code. If the mailing address is that of a representative, you must indicate their mailing address(es) in this section and complete the IMM 5476 form.
• We may need to contact you by phone. List the phone numbers where you can be reached.

If the email address is that of a representative, you must indicate their e-mail address in this section and complete the IMM 5476 form.

Note: By writing your 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 13

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.

Where to send your application

If you are living in Canada or the United States, complete the mailing envelope as follows:

or

If you are living outside Canada or the United States, submit your application to a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate for processing.

What happens next

Once your application is received in Sydney, Nova Scotia and is considered complete, it will be reviewed and processing will begin.

Some applications may encounter delays and require more time for processing. In these cases, you will be contacted for more information or asked to supply additional documents.

If you are sending an application from outside Canada and the US, through a consular mission, allow sufficient time for your application to be received at the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, as mail service can vary between countries. If you reside in the US, send your application directly to the CPC in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

If your application is approved, you will receive a certificate of renunciation.

Your application, along with the processing fee, will be returned to you if we have begun revocation proceedings under Section 10 or Section 10.1 of the Act.

If the processing of your renunciation application has begun and then we begin the process of revoking your citizenship under section 10 or section 10.1 of the Act, the processing of your renunciation application will be suspended until a decision is made on the revocation process.

Checking your application status

In Canada and the United States

You may Contact Us or go online to see the current status of your application:

1. Go to Check application status.
2. Follow the instructions provided.

To obtain details on how to remove your application status information from the Internet, visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section.

If you are outside Canada and the United States:

Contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your region.

Processing times

You can obtain current processing times for renunciation applications online.

Protecting your information

Your personal information is:

• only available to IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you, and
• not disclosed to other organizations except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act.

For more information. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting our Help Centre page.

Features