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Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: How to apply

Before you start, check if you can apply for a citizenship certificate.

On this page

Apply online

If you’ve already applied on paper, do not apply online for the same request. If you do, we won’t process your online application.

You may be able to apply online for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship). If you can’t or don’t want to apply online, you can apply on paper.

You can apply online

If you’re applying for yourself

You can apply online if you were born on or after February 15, 1977, and you

  • became a naturalized Canadian citizen on or after April 17, 2009, or
  • were born outside of Canada to a parent who was:
    • born in Canada on or after February 15, 1977, or
    • granted Canadian citizenship on or after April 17, 2009

If you’re a parent applying on behalf of a child (under 18 years old)

You can apply if:

  • your child was granted Canadian citizenship on or after April 17, 2009, or
  • one of your child's parents was
    • born in Canada on or after February 15, 1977, or
    • became a naturalized Canadian citizen on or after April 17, 2009

If you’re applying for your child(ren):

  • you can only submit applications for 3 children at the same time
  • you must be the child’s biological parent or legal parent at birth
  • the reason for applying must be the same for everyone (for example, all of your children need to replace their lost certificates)

Before you start

To apply online, you need

Start your online application

In the account

Once you start your online application, you have 60 days to submit it.

The online application works best in Google Chrome.

Create an account or sign in

If you need to apply online urgently

We can process applications faster than our normal processing times (opens in a new tab)  in special cases, such as for

  • accessing benefits like:
    • a pension
    • health care
    • a Social Insurance Number
  • proving you’re a Canadian citizen to get a job
  • travelling to or from Canada because of a death or serious illness in your family
How to apply online urgently

We’ll ask you if you need urgent processing in the online application.

Answer “Yes” and:

Once you start your online application, you have 60 days to submit it.

The online application works best in Google Chrome.

Create an account or sign in

We’ll review your request to see if it qualifies. Even if you qualify, we can’t guarantee that you’ll get your citizenship certificate on time.

Examples of supporting documents

Some examples of supporting documents:

  • plane ticket or itinerary, with proof of payment
  • letter from employer
  • letter from school
  • doctor’s note
  • death certificate

You need to apply on paper

You need to apply on paper if

  • you were born in Canada on or before February 14, 1977
  • you became a naturalized Canadian citizen on or before April 16, 2009
  • you were born outside of Canada to a parent who
    • was born in Canada on or before February 16, 1977, or
    • became a naturalized Canadian citizen on or before April 16, 2009
  • you’re applying for minors (under 18) for whom you’re the legal guardian
  • you or a minor was born in Canada
  • you need to replace or update your certificate
  • you’re applying for 2 to 3 children and only some of them are naturalized Canadian citizens
  • you’re applying for 4 or more children
  • you’re applying for a replacement certificate for yourself and your children
  • you don’t know information about your parents or grandparents
    • For example, you don’t know when your parent was born or if your grandparent was a crown servant.
  • the reason for applying is different for each person you’re applying for

Don’t apply online if you’ve already applied on paper, as we’re still processing your paper application. If you do, we won’t process your online application.

Apply on paper

Adopted minors born outside Canada: You need to apply for your adopted child’s Canadian citizenship

To get a citizenship certificate for your adopted child, you have 2 options:

Do not apply directly for a citizenship certificate (online or on paper).

Adopted adult born outside Canada: You need to apply for your Canadian citizenship

To get a citizenship certificate, you have 2 options:

Do not apply directly for a citizenship certificate (online or on paper).

Permanent resident minors: You need to apply for the child’s Canadian citizenship

To get a citizenship certificate, you must apply for the child to become a Canadian citizen (opens in a new tab).

  • If we approve the application, they’ll get the certificate after the citizenship ceremony (opens in a new tab).
  • Do not apply directly for a citizenship certificate (online or on paper). If you do, we’ll return your application.

Getting a certificate for the first time: You can’t apply together with an adopted child who was born outside Canada

You cannot apply for yourself and an adopted child (under 18) born outside Canada at the same time (online or on paper).

Adopted child born outside Canada

To get a citizenship certificate for your adopted child, you have 2 options:

Do not apply directly for a citizenship certificate (online or on paper).

If your adopted child was born in Canada, you can apply together on paper.

Applying for yourself (adult 18 years of age or older)

Change your answer to the question above to “Myself (Adult 18 years of age or older)” to find out how you can apply.

Crown servant

Person employed in or with the

  • Canadian Armed Forces,
  • federal public administration, or
  • public service of a Canadian province or territory

Crown servants don’t include locally engaged employees (opens in a new tab) (foreign citizens hired in their own countries by the Canadian government to support Canadian offices abroad).

Naturalization (Grant of citizenship)

The formal process by which a person who is not a Canadian citizen can become a Canadian citizen.

Most people usually

  • become a permanent resident first
  • get their citizenship certificate during or after their citizenship ceremony

This also includes people who become a Canadian citizen as an adopted person.

Parent of a minor (under 18)

At least one parent must be the minor’s

If it’s an adoptive parent, apply for the child’s Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab).

If a non-biological parent became a legal parent after the birth of the minor, apply on paper (opens in a new tab).

Apply on paper

You can apply on paper if you can’t or don’t want to apply online.

1. Get the application package

The package includes the instruction guide, forms and document checklist.

You must

  • download and print the checklist and the forms
  • fill out all the forms
  • include all documents listed in the document checklist

If your documents aren’t in English or French, you’ll need:

  • colour copies that are clear and easy-to-read
  • a translation of the documents
  • a sworn statement (affidavit) from the person who did the translation (we don’t accept translations by family members)

If you need to apply on paper urgently

We can process applications faster than our normal processing times in special cases, such as for

  • accessing benefits like:
    • a pension
    • health care
    • a Social Insurance Number
  • proving you’re a Canadian citizen to get a job
  • travelling to or from Canada because of a death or serious illness in your family
How to apply on paper urgently

In your application

  • include a letter explaining why you need urgent processing
  • provide documents to support your explanation, for example:
    • plane ticket or itinerary, with proof of payment
    • letter from employer
    • letter from school
    • doctor’s note
    • death certificate

Write “Urgent – Citizenship certificate (Proof)” in large, dark letters on the envelope when you submit your application.

We’ll review your request to see if it qualifies. Even if you qualify, we can’t guarantee that you’ll get your citizenship certificate on time.

Get the application package

2. Pay the application fee

You can pay your fees online.

  • Methods of payment depend on where you’re applying from.
  • If you’re submitting more than one application at the same time, you can pay all the fees together.
  • You cannot get a refund once we start processing your application.
  • If you need help, check the payment instructions.
Updating the certificate with your reclaimed Indigenous name

There is no cost for this update until May 30, 2026.

You’ll have to pay the usual fees if you’re

  • applying for your first citizenship certificate, or
  • replacing a certificate or card that’s lost, stolen or damaged

Pay your fees online (opens in a new tab)

3. Submit the application

Answer the following question to find out where to submit your application.

If you’re a parent or legal guardian applying for a minor child (under 18 years old)

Select the country or territory where the child lives:

If you’re applying for yourself

Select the country or territory where you live:

Where to submit your application if you’ve reclaimed your Indigenous name

To submit your application to apply for, update, or replace your citizenship certificate or card with your reclaimed Indigenous name

  1. Gather your documents, including
    • the completed application form
    • either the eligibility form or the statutory declaration, depending on your situation
    • your supporting documents
  2. Put them in an envelope
    • label the outside with “CTA 17 – Proof” in large, dark letters
    • Address the envelope to
      Citizenship and Passport Cases Division
      Case Management Branch
      Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
      300 Slater Street, 12th Floor
      Ottawa, ON  K1A 1L1
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