Guide CIT 0531 – Application for Canadian citizenship – Adults – Canadian Armed Forces under subsection 5(1)

Steps to Canadian Citizenship


This is not a legal document. The explanations and definitions are not legal definitions. In case of a discrepancy between the language in this document and the relevant legislation or regulations, the legal text in the legislation and regulations prevails.

For legal information, consult the following documents:


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:

Required step
What you must do to have your application processed.

Important information that you need to know to avoid delays or other problems.

Get more information

Where to get more information.

Note: Tips that will help you with this application.

Make sure you’re eligible

Who may use this application?

  • persons aged 18 years of age or older
  • persons having met the service requirements in, or with, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF):
    • permanent residents (landed immigrants) of Canada who are, or were, serving in the CAF and who were honourably released, or
    • non-permanent residents who are, or were, attached or seconded to the CAF

Note: If you were released other than honourably from the Canadian Armed Forces, you are not eligible to apply under the Canadian Armed Forces application form. Consider applying under the Application for Canadian Citizenship under Subsection 5(1) – Adults if you meet the requirements for citizenship.


Citizenship service requirements

The Citizenship Act provides for an expedited access to citizenship for persons who are serving in, or have served in, the Canadian Armed Forces. The Act requires a person to have completed three (3) years of service in the six (6) years immediately before the date of the application.


What are the other requirements for citizenship?

You must:

  • have met any applicable requirement under the Income Tax Act to file income taxes for three (3) taxation years that are fully or partially within the six (6) years immediately before you apply;

    Note: You need to meet this requirement if you are a permanent resident. If you are not a permanent resident, this requirement does not apply to you.

  • have adequate knowledge of one of the official languages of Canada;

    Note: You need to submit language proof with your application.

  • have adequate knowledge of:
    • Canada’s history,
    • geography,
    • government, and
    • the rights and responsibilities of citizenship

    Note: You will need to pass a written and/or oral knowledge test

    Note: Persons 55 years of age and over at the time of their application are not required to meet the language and knowledge requirements.

Compassionate grounds include medical and non-medical factors. Examples include (but are not limited to) evidence of

  • a severe medical condition that has lasted (or is expected to last) for at least 1 year, including
    • serious illness
    • physical or developmental disability
    • mental impairment
  • trauma due to
    • war
    • torture
    • living in a refugee camp
    • other similar circumstances
  • low levels of education or literacy in the first language (mother tongue)
  • other circumstances that may justify a waiver.

Requesting a waiver does not guarantee it will be approved. They are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If you are a permanent resident and have any outstanding terms and conditions linked to your Permanent Resident status, you may not be eligible for citizenship. For example, some new permanent residents are required to undergo medical screening after they arrive in Canada. Before applying for citizenship, you should review the documents provided to you when you first came to live in Canada as a permanent resident to ensure that you have met all of your terms and conditions.

You must not:

  • be subject to any prohibition under the Citizenship Act (see section 8 of the application form CIT 0532), and/or
  • be under a removal order (asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada).

Family applications

If more than one member of your family is applying for Canadian citizenship, send all the applications together in the same envelope. The applications will be processed together. If one or more family members’ applications are incomplete, ALL of the applications will be returned to you. Each family member applying must meet the requirements for citizenship based on the application type they submit.

If your spouse or common-law partner who is not a member of the Canadian Armed Forces wishes to apply for Canadian citizenship

To apply for Canadian citizenship for your child


Possible loss of other citizenship

Important information: You could lose your present nationality or citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. If you have any questions about this, you should contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country of your present nationality before you apply for Canadian citizenship.


Step 1. Gather documents

What documents are required?

The table below outlines the documents that you need to include with your application. Refer to the Document Checklist (CIT 0172) (opens in new tab)  to assist you in gathering the necessary documentation.

If any of the required documents are missing, or photocopies are not clear, your application will be returned to you.

Additional documents may be required during the processing of your application.

1. Language requirements

All applicants 18-54 years of age must submit proof that demonstrates adequate knowledge of English or French (even if your first language is English or French). If you are 18-54 years of age and unable to demonstrate that you have the necessary English or French language ability due to a medical condition, this requirement may be waived. You must submit supporting evidence with your application.

If you do not have proof of language proficiency or the language level needed, you can take a government-funded language program to help you improve your language skills to get a certificate at a level of CLB/NCLC 4.

Canadian Language Benchmark/ Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiensFootnote 1 level 4 is considered “Basic Proficiency” and means an individual can:

  • take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics
  • understand simple instructions, questions and directions
  • use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses and show that you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself
  1. Results from a third-party language test. Your language test result must be equal to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB/NCLC)footnote 1 level 4 or higher in speaking and listening skills. If you did the test in the past for immigration purposes or citizenship purposes, we will accept the results even if it has expired. Examples of third-party tests include:
    • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General test (CELPIP-G), (not the academic version). You must have achieved a score of:
      • 2H or higher (3L, 3H, 4L, 4H, 5 or 6) in speaking and listening; or
      • CELPIP-General LS – a two-skills (listening and speaking) version of the CELPIP general test You must have achieved a score of:2H or higher (3L, 3H, 4L, 4H, 5 or 6) in listening and speaking; or
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS), general training, not the academic version. You must have achieved a score of:
      • 4.0 or higher in speaking, and
      • 4.5 or higher in listening. (If the test was done before November 28, 2008, we will accept a 4 or higher); or
    • Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF), Test d’Évaluation du Français adapté au Québec (TEFAQ) or TEF épreuves orales.
      • After July 1st, 2012, you must have achieved a score of:
        • B1 or higher (B2, C1 or C2) in listening; and
        • B1 or higher (B2, C1 or C2) in speaking.
      • Before July 1st, 2012, you must have achieved a score of:
        • Level 3 or higher (4, 5 or 6) in listening; and
        • Level 3 or higher (4, 5 or 6) in speaking.
    • The following list of proof will be accepted if they have been submitted for immigration purposes to Quebec (please note that the following tests align with the Échelle Québécoise and not officially with CLB/NCLC 4):
      • DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) – All results or
      • DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) – B1 or higher or
      • TCF (Test de connaissance du français) – B1 or higher or
      • TCFQ (Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec) – B1 or higher
  2. You attended a secondary or post-secondary education program in English or French, either in Canada or abroad:
    • A degree, diploma, certificate or official transcripts from a secondary or post-secondary education program showing you studied in English or French, in Canada or abroad.
    • If the original document is in a different language, include:
      • a letter from the school showing that the language of instruction was in English or French along with
      • an official translation of the original document and
      • the address and contact information (phone number) of the education institution
  3. Proof of achieving Canadian Language Benchmark/Niveau de competence linguistique canadien (CLB/NCLC) level 4 or higher in speaking and listening skills through certain government-funded language training programs are:
    • For Manitoba: Progress report from Manitoba government issued since January 2009. Ensure your report indicates speaking and listening skills are at least at “completing CLB/NCLC level 4” or higher.
    • For Quebec: Bulletins by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion du Québec (MIDI) (former department name), or the Ministère de l’Immigration et Communautés Culturelles (former department name) if:
      • The version was issued between June 1st 2011 and October 16, 2012. Ensure that your most recent assessment in “interaction orale” is level 4 or higher (Échelle Québécoise); or
      • The version was issued since October 16, 2012. Ensure that your most recent assessment is in “interaction orale” orcompréhension orale” (listening) and “production orale” (speaking) is level 4 or higher (Échelle Québécoise).

        Note: Bulletins with results from online FEL Francisation en ligne) classes are not acceptable for citizenship purposes, e.g. these usually have a course code B or FEL. Note that bulletins issued by the MIFI or the MICC align with the Échelle Québécoise and not officially with CLB/NCLC 4.

    • For British Columbia (BC):
      • If you received British Columbia’s English Language Services for Adults (ELSA) training in 2008 and 2009, an ELSA certificate confirming language level CLB 4 or higher.
      • If you received British Columbia’s English Language Services for Adults (ELSA) training since 2010, an ELSA report card or an ELSA certificate confirming language level CLB 4 or higher
    • For Ontario: Ontario Provincial Language Training Certificates dating from December 2013 or later, and issued by providers of the Adult Non-Credit Language Training Program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and International Trade (MCIIT), formerly known as the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Ensure your Ontario MCIIT Adult Non-Credit language training program certificate indicates achievement of level CLB/NCLC 4 or higher, in speaking and listening. These certificates must be for:
      • English as a Second Language (ESL) / Anglais langue seconde (ALS)
      • French as a Second Language (FSL) / Français langue seconde (FLS)
      • Citizenship and Language Training (CL) / Instruction civique et enseignement de la langue (ICEL)
    • For Nova Scotia: Submit a copy of the Proficiency in English Nova Scotia (PENS) learner certificate. It must show that your speaking and listening skills are at CLB level 4 or higher.
    • Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC or CLIC): Check the box if you successfully completed the course at CLB4/NCLC 4 or higher from January 2008 to October 31, 2012, and provide a copy of the certificate if available. If you successfully completed the LINC or CLIC course since November 1, 2012, a certificate will be provided to you. A copy of this certificate is required. Note that completion of LINC or CLIC before 2008 does not qualify for proof of language ability.

Format: Clear and legible photocopy. Must be in English or French. Foreign diplomas, certificates or transcripts must be translated if they are not in English or French. (See note above in section 2).

  • If you are 18-54 years of age and unable to demonstrate that you have the necessary English or French language ability due to compassionate grounds, this requirement may be waived. You must submit supporting evidence with your application, including a completed Waiver Request Form (CIT 0116) (opens in new tab) . If you are requesting a waiver due to a medical condition, we recommend you also provide a Medical Opinion Form for Citizenship Waivers (CIT 0547) (opens in new tab) , filled out by a medical professional licensed to practice in Canada. You should also provide any additional documentation that we should consider with your waiver request.

    Compassionate grounds include medical and non-medical factors. Examples include (but are not limited to) evidence of

    • a severe medical condition that has lasted (or is expected to last) for at least 1 year, including
      • serious illness
      • physical or developmental disability
      • mental impairment
    • trauma due to
      • war
      • torture
      • living in a refugee camp
      • other similar circumstances
    • low levels of education or literacy in the first language (mother tongue)
    • other circumstances that may justify a waiver.
  • Requesting a waiver does not guarantee it will be approved. They are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

2. Passport(s)/Travel Document(s)

Provide a colour photocopy of all the pages of your current passport(s) and travel documents, including the biographical page which is the page that has your name, photo, date and place of birth, , issue date and expiration date.

Also, provide colour photocopies of any renewal pages of the passport(s)/travel document(s).

Note: If any of these documents are no longer in your possession please explain why.

Format: Clear and legible colour photocopy

3. Evidence of Service in the Canadian Armed Forces

Evidence of service in the CAF means the documents below that IRCC and the CAF have agreed are available to persons serving in or with the CAF.

If you are currently serving in the CAF, provide:

  • a letter from your Commanding Officer that outlines your service history; and
  • a photocopy of your Member’s Personnel Record Resume (MPRR).

If you have been released from the CAF, provide:

  • a photocopy of your MPRR; and
  • a photocopy of your Certificate of Service.

If you are attached or seconded to the CAF, provide:

  • a letter from your Commanding Officer that outlines your service history; and
  • a photocopy of your instructions/orders supporting attachment/secondment.

If you were previously attached or seconded to the CAF, provide:

  • a photocopy of your instructions/orders supporting attachment/secondment.

The letter from your Commanding Officer must:

  • be on official letterhead;
  • state the date you enrolled in, or were attached or seconded to, the CAF;
  • state the number of years and/or days of service; and
  • include the Commanding Officer’s phone number and e-mail address for verification.

Note: if you have non-consecutive periods of service, please provide separate documents to confirm each period of service.

4. Two (2) pieces of personal identification

Both pieces of identification should show your name and date of birth, one of which must have your photo on it.

Examples include:

  • a Canadian driver’s licence
  • a copy of the biographical page of your passport/travel document
  • military identification
  • a foreign national identity document (for non-permanent residents only), etc.

If there is information on both sides of your personal identification documents, provide a photocopy of both sides.

Note: Permanent Resident cards, Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards, bank cards and credit cards are not acceptable pieces of identification.

Format: Clear and legible photocopy

5. Payment receipt

blue question markFor more information. See Step 3. Pay the Fees

Receipt showing total payment of application fees for individual or family members applying together.

6. Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) (as required)

7. Additional documents (as required)

Possible documents are:

Format: Clear and legible photocopy


Step 2. Complete the application

Filling out the application

Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete the application form.

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

Optional:

Note: The information you provide on your application and supporting documents may be subject to verification. Throughout the application process, if you or someone on your behalf provides any misleading or fraudulent information or withholds any information that could cause an error in the administration of the Citizenship Act, you could be charged with an offence under the Citizenship Act, your application for citizenship could be refused, and you could be prohibited from reapplying for citizenship for five (5) years.


Citizenship photos

  • include two (2) identical citizenship photos
  • print the Citizenship Photo Specifications page and take it to a photographer to make sure you get the correct size photo
  • don't staple, glue or otherwise attach the photo directly to the application

Your application will be returned if you do not include two (2) photos that meet the citizenship photo specifications.


Translation of documents

You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French:

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.

small exclamation warning signImportant 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.



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:

  • the name and signature of the authorized person;
  • their official position or title;
  • the name of the original document;
  • the date they certified the document; and
  • the phrase “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”.

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 can certify documents.

Outside Canada:

  • a notary public

Authority to certify international documents varies by country. Check with your local authorities to learn who can certify documents in your country.


Step 3. Pay the fees

You must pay your fees online (opens in a new tab) . If you have forgotten your password for the online payment system, you can reset it.

For the fee amounts, please refer to the Fee list.

If more than one member of your family is applying for Canadian citizenship, pay the fees all together.

After you pay, print the receipt and include it with your application.

All payments must be made in Canadian funds.


Explanation of fees and refund

This section describes the fees that are required and if they are refundable.

Processing fee

Applicants 18 years of age and older applying under subsection 5(1) and  minors applying under subsection 5(2) must pay the processing fee.

You can’t get a refund of your processing fee once we start processing your application, even if you are refused. If you choose to withdraw your application, or abandon your application, you will only be refunded the Right of Citizenship fee.

Right of Citizenship fee

Applicants over 18 years of age must pay the Right of Citizenship fee.

You will be refunded your Right of Citizenship fee if you don’t become a citizen.

We will issue any refunds to the person on the Payer Information section of the receipt. If there is no name on the receipt, we will send the refund to the applicant.


Payment Issues

No fee included or insufficient fees

If you do not pay the full fees for your application(s) we will return your application(s). We will only start processing your application after you return it with the correct fees.

blue question mark For immigration applications, see section 10 of the IRPR and for citizenship applications, see section 13 of the Citizenship Act for more information.

Overpayment

If you pay more than the fees needed for your application(s) we will start processing your application, and send you a refund as soon as possible.

Note: You don’t have to ask for a refund. It will be done automatically.

Note: If you’re eligible for a refund, we will issue the refund to the person indicated on the Payer Information section of the receipt (if a receipt is attached to a paper application or uploaded as part of an online application). If you paid directly within an online application (no receipt attached), or if there is no name indicated on the receipt, we will send the refund to the applicant.

stop sign

Only online payments are accepted in Canada. If any other forms of payment are received, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will return your application.


How to pay the fees for your application

To pay your fees for your application you’ll need:

  • a valid e-mail address;
  • access to a printer (you’ll need to print the receipt), and
  • a credit card, Debit MasterCard® or Visa® Debit card.

Visit the link below and follow these instructions to pay:

  • Go to Online Payment.
  • Follow the online instructions.
    • At the end, click on the button to print the IRCC official receipt with barcode. Print two copies.
  • Attach a copy of this receipt to your completed application.
    • Keep the second copy of the receipt for your records.

stop sign hand Do not exit without printing the receipt! The printed receipt is your proof of payment!


Note: The only acceptable form of payment is online payment. If you send any other form of payment, IRCC will return your application.


Step 4. Submit your 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.

Find out how to check if your application has been received

Send your completed application to one of the following addresses:

Mail your completed application in a stamped envelope to the address shown below:

Regular Mail

IRCC Case Processing Centre
CAF – Citizenship
P.O. Box 8200
Sydney, NS B1P 0G7

Courier

IRCC Digitization Centre - Citizenship
3050 Wilson Ave
New Waterford, NS B1H 5V8

If you are sending more than one application

If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for family members), you may send one receipt to cover all applications. Mail the receipt (if applicable) and all applications together in one envelope so that they will be processed together.

Note: If you are sending more than one application, and one of the applications is incomplete, all the applications will be returned to you.


What happens next

Processing your application

The list below presents the phases of the Citizenship process of most applications. In some cases, processing may take longer.

Application review and file creation

The Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Sydney makes sure your application

  • meets the minimum processing requirements;
  • includes all the required documents;
  • that the appropriate fee payment has been made.

If your application is complete, processing starts.

You will receive:

  • acknowledgement of receipt;
  • the citizenship study guide.

Note: The study guide is available in alternate formats including audio.

Your application will be returned if:

  • it doesn’t meet the minimum processing requirements;
  • doesn’t include the correct fee payment; and/or
  • isn’t complete.

If returned, we send you a letter that explains why your application is incomplete and what the next steps are.

The letter will tell you:

Be sure to check the Document Checklist (CIT 0172) (opens in new tab) . Once you get the information we ask for in the letter, resubmit your complete application.

Prepare for your test

During the processing period, if you are between the ages of 18 and 54, you should:

  • prepare for the citizenship test and/or interview on Canada’s history, geography, government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship based on the study guide and
  • continue to maintain and improve your English or French if necessary.

If you have requested a waiver of the knowledge requirement (i.e., citizenship test), you will not be invited to the test. Instead, your waiver request will be assessed. You will only be invited to the citizenship test if you knowledge waiver request is denied.

If we invite you to an interview, test, and/or hearing, your invitation will tell you what to bring.

If applicable, you will be tested on your knowledge of:

  • English or French
  • Canada’s history, geography, government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship (the citizenship test).

We will send you one or more of these notices:

  • Notice to appear to take a citizenship test
  • Notice to appear for an interview with a citizenship official
  • Notice to appear for a hearing with a citizenship officer or a citizenship judge

Decision

  • The CPC sends your application to the IRCC office nearest to your home for further processing.
  • The IRCC office completes the steps necessary for a decision to be made on your application.
  • You may be asked to come to the IRCC office for a review of the original documents you submitted in support of your application, as well as your current passport and travel document. If applicable, you will be evaluated on your knowledge of English or French and on your knowledge of Canada’s history, geography, government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Correspondence you may receive:

  • Notification to appear to take a citizenship test; and/or
  • Notification to appear for an interview with a citizenship official; and/or
  • Notification to appear for a hearing with a citizenship official.

Take the oath

If you meet all the requirements for citizenship, the IRCC office notifies you of the time and place of your citizenship ceremony.

What you receive:

  • Notification to appear to take the oath of citizenship
  • Certificate of Canadian citizenship received at the ceremony after taking the oath of citizenship

Note: To avoid delays or closure of your application, tell us as soon as possible if you can’t attend the scheduled ceremony.

If you are unable to understand the significance of taking the oath of citizenship due to mental disability, you can request a waiver. To request an oath waiver, please provide a Medical Opinion Form for Citizenship Waivers (CIT 0547) (opens in new tab) , filled out by a medical professional licensed to practice in Canada. You should also provide any additional documentation that we should consider with your waiver request.

  • Requesting a waiver does not guarantee it will be approved. Waiver requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis.


For more information

Current processing times

You can check current processing times on the Application processing times webpage.



Important information

Updating your contact information

While your application is in process, you must tell us if you change your address, e-mail address, or telephone number. Use the Change your address tool to give us your new contact information.

If you do not notify us of any change in your contact information, and we can’t reach you, your application could be abandoned or closed.

Remember, Canada Post’s Mail Forwarding Service does not forward parcels and a citizenship application package is considered a parcel.


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 only available to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (IRCC) and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you,
  • may be shared, with your consent, with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the purposes of validating your tax filing information; and
  • is not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Citizenship Regulations.

Note: The legal authority for IRCC to collect income tax information including filing history and the Social Insurance Number (SIN) is provided for in subsections 5(1.2) of the Citizenship Act, subsection 26.6 of the Citizenship Regulations and paragraph 2(2)(d) of the Citizenship Regulations No.2. The CRA’s legal authority to disclose income tax information including filing history upon applicant consent is provided for in paragraph 241(5)(b) of the Income Tax Act. Income tax information including filing history provided by the CRA to IRCC may be used to verify a citizenship applicant’s income tax information including filing history for the purpose of assessing their citizenship application against the tax filing requirement of subsection 5(1.2) of the Citizenship Act. IRCC may, on occasion, send information pertaining to a citizenship application to the CRA in respect of any relevant information related to any discrepancies between the information obtained from the applicant and that provided by the CRA if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the discrepancy is a result of false representation, fraud or concealment of material circumstances made in the course of an application, as well as any personal information, including the SIN, of an applicant that the CRA is authorized to collect for the purpose of the administration of the Income Tax Act. IRCC will not use this information for any other purpose or share it with any other third party.

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


Quality Assurance Program

Our quality assurance program randomly chooses applications for a special review. If chosen, we will ask you to attend an interview with an IRCC official to:

  • verify that the documentation and any other information you submitted is accurate,
  • verify that your application has been completed properly.

Note: We will notify you in writing if your application is chosen.


Appendix A - 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.


Appendix B - Date of Birth Correction

The date of birth on your citizenship certificate will be the same as the one shown on your immigration document unless you:

  • have corrected your date of birth on your immigration document or
  • have legally changed it after arriving in Canada or
  • are requesting a different date of birth for your citizenship certificate and you can provide supporting documents.

If your date of birth has been corrected on your immigration document then you must provide a copy of

  • an approved Request to Amend Immigration Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688), and
  • your new corrected Permanent Resident Card (if you have one).

If you have legally changed your date of birth by a provincial/territorial court order then you must provide a copy of

If you did not change your date of birth by a provincial/territorial court order
and
your date of birth has not been corrected on your immigration document
then you must provide a copy of

Important information: You cannot request a change in your date of birth after your application has been submitted. If satisfactory documentation is not provided with the application to support the date of birth requested, the citizenship certificate will reflect the date of birth indicated on your immigration document.

If you do not have a provincial/territorial court order changing your date of birth, you must first request an amendment to your immigration document before requesting a different date of birth on your citizenship certificate.

For more information. For information on amending your immigration document refer to the guide Request to Amend Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents (IMM 5218).


Appendix C – Change of Gender Designation

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 for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (opens in new tab)  with your application.


Appendix D – Waiver Request(s) and/or Guardianship Documents

If you need to request a waiver of the knowledge and/or language requirements due to compassionate grounds, please submit the Waiver Request Form (CIT 0116) (opens in new tab)  filled out to provide us with an explanation of the details of your request.

If you are requesting a waiver of the knowledge and/or language requirements due to a medical condition, we recommend you provide the Medical Opinion Form for Citizenship Waivers (CIT 0547) (opens in new tab) , filled out by a medical professional (physician, psychologist, or nurse practitioner) licensed to practice in Canada.

If you are requesting a waiver of taking the oath of citizenship, please submit the Medical Opinion form. Waivers of the oath of citizenship only occur if you are unable to understand the significance of taking the oath of citizenship due to mental disability.

If you have a legal guardian who we should be corresponding with, please provide documents showing guardianship. Documents could include a power of attorney document, judicial court order, an affidavit, or other documentation proving guardianship.

Affidavits should:

  • be written by the guardian in the person's own style;
  • indicate that they are qualified to act on the applicant's behalf;
  • be in simple, understandable English or French;
  • contain specific information outlined below; and
  • include signed statements/letters, outlining the facts, of other family members/interested parties, if available.

The information required in an affidavit to act on behalf of a citizenship applicant should include:

  1. Application ID number (if known)
  2. (Name of guardian) of the city of (name of city) in the province of (name of province) affirm that:
  3. Using the first person, the guardian should state what his/her relationship is to the applicant (applicant's name) born on (applicant's date of birth) in (applicant's place of birth), whose application for citizenship is being/was made on (date of application).
  4. The guardian should state why they are acting on behalf of the applicant (include applicant’s name). The guardian should include any important facts, including the nature of the relationship with the client and any legal authority presently held showing that the guardian can represent the client.
  5. The guardian should state whether they are acting in the best interest of the client. The guardian should include any known personal knowledge of the client's needs and wishes.
  6. The guardian should state whether any medical information about the applicant was provided to IRCC.
  7. The guardian signs the affidavit.
  8. The affidavit is attested by an authorized person.

Need help?

If you need help, you can find answers to your questions by visiting the Help Centre.

Features

Find out if you are eligible

Page details

Date modified: