Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: Who can apply

Eligibility

You should apply if you want to

Get a certificate for someone born in Canada

A provincial or territorial birth certificate should be enough to prove Canadian citizenship.

You may still apply for a citizenship certificate.

Get a certificate for someone born outside Canada

Status of changes to the first-generation limit on citizenship Updated

The Citizenship Act includes a first-generation limit to citizenship by descent. This limit generally means someone isn't automatically a Canadian citizen if

  • they were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, and
  • their Canadian parent was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent

In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many individuals is unconstitutional.

However, the Court has suspended the declaration until December 19, 2024. This means that the current rules still apply until further notice.

Find out

  • how the first-generation limit affects you
  • what you can apply for (including urgent application, if applicable)

Check your next steps

A person is likely a Canadian citizen if at least 1 parent (legal parent at birth [opens in a new tab] or biological parent)

  • was born in Canada, or
  • became a naturalized Canadian citizen before the person was born

You can check if you or your minor child (under 18) may be a Canadian citizen

To find out for sure, apply for a citizenship certificate.

For more information, see changes to citizenship rules on

Adopted children born outside Canada

If you’re a Canadian parent who adopted a child born outside Canada, your child

  • is not automatically a Canadian citizen
  • needs to become a Canadian citizen to get the citizenship certificate
    • If you apply for a certificate directly, we’ll return your application.

You can still apply to replace their lost, destroyed or stolen certificate.

Minors who are permanent residents

If your minor child is a permanent resident, do not apply directly for a citizenship certificate. To get a certificate, you need to apply for your child’s Canadian citizenship (naturalization or grant of citizenship).

If you apply to become a Canadian citizen

If you apply for and receive Canadian citizenship (naturalization or grant of citizenship), you

  • will receive the certificate at a citizenship ceremony
  • do not need to apply for a citizenship certificate

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