Changes to citizenship rules in 2020
Amendments to the Citizenship Act in 2025 affect the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent. Depending on your situation, this section may not apply to you.
Learn about the most recent rules on citizenship by descent.
Before July 2020, only biological parents could pass down their Canadian citizenship to their children.
As of July 2020, non-biological parents can pass down their Canadian citizenship to their children who were born outside Canada if they’re the child’s legal parent at birth(opens in a new tab) .
There are some exceptions for both parents.