Apply for citizenship: How to apply

Apply online

As of January 4, 2023, you can choose either an electronic citizenship certificate (e-certificate) or a paper certificate.

Most applicants can now apply online to become a Canadian citizen (opens in a new tab) .

Find out how to apply online

Some people must still apply on paper

You must apply on paper in the following situations:

In your physical presence calculation, you include time spent outside Canada as
- a crown servant or
- a family member of the crown servant (child, spouse or common-law partner).
You want your representative to complete and submit your application for you.
- If you want your representative’s help with the online application, you must complete and submit the application yourself.

We’re working so everyone can apply online in the future.

Apply on paper

As of January 4, 2023, you can choose an electronic citizenship certificate (e-certificate) or a paper certificate for most citizenship applications.

How to choose the certificate type

In your application form

choose the certificate type you want
provide an email address if you want an e-certificate

If your application is successful, the certificate proves that you’re a Canadian citizen.

Get an application package

The application package includes the instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Use the instruction guide and the document checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Choose the application package for your situation:

Pay the application fees

Your fees depend on whether you’re an adult (age 18 and over) or a minor (under age 18). Your fees may include

the processing fee
the right of citizenship fee

You have to pay your fees online.

Only pay your fees once you’re ready to submit your application.
Include the receipt with your application.
If you’re submitting more than 1 application at the same time, you can pay all the fees together (1 receipt) or separately (multiple receipts).

Pay your fees online (opens in a new tab)

Submit your application

You must be eligible for Canadian citizenship the day before you sign the application form.

Make sure

you sign the application form
you date the form the day you sign it (don’t use a date in the past or future)
that the date of signature on the application form is the same as the “Application date” in the physical presence calculation for these applications:
- Adult (age 18 or older).
- Minor (under 18) without a Canadian parent applying alone.
to send your application as soon as possible after you sign and date the application form
- We’ll return your application to you if we receive it more than 90 days after the date on the form.

If you’re submitting more than 1 application

Make sure that everyone’s applications are complete. We’ll return all submitted applications to you if at least 1 of them is incomplete.

If you want us to process everyone’s applications together, put all applications and receipts in the same envelope. Otherwise, we’ll process them separately.

Find out what happens if there’s a problem with one of the applications

Send your completed application form and all documents in the application package by mail or courier:

Regular mail	Courier
Case Processing Centre - Sydney Citizenship Grants P.O. Box 7000 Sydney, NS B1P 6V6	IRCC Digitization Centre - Citizenship 3050 Wilson Ave New Waterford, NS B1H 5V8

Apply for citizenship urgently

Processing times show how long it takes us to process applications for citizenship. We can process applications faster in special cases.

When and how to apply for citizenship urgently.

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Apply for citizenship: How to apply

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