Search of Citizenship Records: How to apply

Apply

To apply for a search of citizenship records, you must apply and pay the application fees.

1. Get application package

The application package includes the guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

Read the guide carefully before you complete the application form. Make sure you’re eligible for a search of citizenship records before you apply. We won’t refund the fee for processing your form.

The application package has instructions. Read them and be sure to provide the required documents. If information or documents are missing, it may delay your application.

Applying for someone else

If you’re applying for someone else, you may need to provide additional documents.

If the person is alive:

  • you can complete the form
  • the other person must sign and date section 4B
    • this lets us give you their personal information

If the person has been deceased for less than 20 years, you will need to provide:

  • the date of death
  • proof of:
    • death, such as a death certificate
    • your relationship to the deceased person, such as a marriage certificate

If the person has been deceased for more than 20 years:

  • complete the form as the applicant
  • provide identification
  • pay the fee

2. Pay application fees

The application fee is CAD$75. We only accept Canadian funds.

We prefer that you pay your fees online.

To do so, you must:

If you don’t have a computer, you may pay your fees at your region’s Canadian:

  • embassy
  • consulate
  • high commission

Contact them to learn how to pay your fees.

The citizenship fees section of the application guide has more detailed instructions.

3. Submit application

If you live in Canada or the United States, mail your completed application form and the required documents to:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Case Processing Centre - Sydney
Search of Records
P.O. Box 10010
Sydney, Nova Scotia  B1P 7C1

If you live outside Canada and outside the United States, mail your completed application form and the required documents to your region’s Canadian:

  • embassy
  • consulate
  • high commission

Contact them to find out where to mail your application form.

4. After you apply

Once we receive your application for a search of citizenship records we will:

  • review it
  • start processing it
  • search the citizenship registration system for your record

If we find your record, we will send you a letter stating:

  • when the person became a citizen
  • if there is a Canadian citizenship application in process

We will also send you a letter to tell you if:

  • there is no record or
  • if we cannot find a record using the information you gave us

Apply urgently

If you haven’t yet sent your application

If you need to apply urgently for a search of citizenship records and haven’t yet sent in your application:

  • download and print the Application for a Search of Citizenship Records
  • complete the application form
    • be sure to answer all questions
  • write an explanation of why you need urgent processing
    • include any documents that will support your explanation
  • put in the same envelope your:
    • application
    • fee receipts 
    • required documents
    • explanation letter
  • write “Urgent – Search of the Citizenship Records” in large, dark letters on the envelope

If you don’t answer all the questions or don’t include the documents and fees, we won’t process your application urgently. We will process it normally.

Mailing your application

If you live in Canada or the United States, mail your application to the address in the Where to send your application section of the instruction guide.

If you live outside Canada and outside the United States, contact your region’s Canadian:

  • embassy
  • consulate
  • high commission

They will tell you where to mail the application.

If you have already sent your application and now need urgent processing

If you live in Canada, contact our Call Centre and speak to an agent. They will tell you if we can process your search urgently. If we can, the agent will explain what you will need to do.

If you live in the United States:

  • write an explanation of why you need urgent processing and include your:
    • full name
    • date of birth
    • telephone numbers
  • write “Urgent – Search of the Citizenship Records” in large, dark letters on the envelope
  • send it to the address in the instruction guide

If you live outside Canada and outside the United States, contact your region’s Canadian:

  • embassy
  • consulate
  • high commission

They will tell you where to mail the application.

Processing time

Find out how long it will take us to process your application.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:

  • Visa®,
  • MasterCard®,
  • American Express®, and
  • JCB.

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier.

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

It must:

  • be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC® Online, and
  • be registered for online banking through your bank’s website.

We also accept all Visa Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Features

Application form

Search citizenship records

How-to video

Save Time: Send a Complete Application
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