Check if you may be a citizen
Status of changes to the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent Updated Nov 21, 2025
Canada is modernizing its citizenship laws. Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025), has received Royal Assent. This means that Canadians will soon have a fair, clear way to pass on citizenship to their children born or adopted outside Canada. Until Bill C-3 comes into effect, an interim measure remains in place for people impacted by the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent.
Find out:
There are a few ways you can become a Canadian citizen without applying to be one. In these cases, you may still want to get proof of citizenship.
There are also times when you might think you became a citizen, but you did not. In those cases, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.
You’re likely a Canadian citizen if you
- were born in Canada
- became a citizen because of changes to the Citizenship Act
- applied for and received your Canadian citizenship (became a naturalized citizen)
- received Canadian citizenship as a minor when a parent or legal guardian applied for your citizenship
- were born outside Canada and at least 1 of your parents (legal parent at birth [opens in a new tab] or biological parent) either
- was born in Canada, or
- became a naturalized citizen before you were born
You likely aren’t a Canadian citizen if you
- were born in Canada to foreign diplomats
- had your citizenship taken away (revoked)
- renounced your Canadian citizenship and never applied to get it back
You aren’t automatically a Canadian citizen if you
- marry a Canadian citizen
- are adopted by a Canadian citizen
- have your refugee claim accepted
- live in Canada as a permanent resident for many years
- were born outside Canada to Canadian parent(s) on or after April 17, 2009, but neither parent was born or naturalized in Canada
To find out if you might have a claim to Canadian citizenship, use our Am I a Canadian? tool.
Applying for proof of Canadian citizenship is the formal way to find out if you’re a citizen. We don’t refund fees, even if you apply for proof of citizenship and find out you aren’t a citizen.
You keep your citizenship if you were a Canadian citizen the day before the 2009 and 2015 changes to the law came into effect.
