Search of citizenship records: How to apply

Before you apply, make sure you’re eligible for a search of citizenship records.

Apply online to get your own records

You can apply online only to get your own records. To get someone else’s record, you need to apply on paper.

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.

If you need to apply online urgently

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

confirming to a foreign government that you’re not a citizen (for example, to get a passport from that country)
administering the estate of a deceased person or executing a will
showing you are (or are not) a citizen to get a certain job

How to apply online urgently

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

Answer “Yes” and:

explain why you need urgent processing
upload documents to support your explanation, for example
- a letter from a foreign government stating that they need the information
- a letter from an employer

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

Before you start

To apply online, you need

to read the instruction guide to apply online(opens in a new tab)
an email address
access to a scanner or digital camera
a valid credit card or Canadian debit card to pay online when you submit your application
a printer to print your result letter, if you want

Start your online application

In the account

we’ll check if you can apply online
you can apply online urgently if you qualify

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

Apply on paper for your or someone else’s records

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

Get the application package

The application package has the instruction guide and the form you must fill out.

Read the instruction guide carefully before you complete the form.
If information or documents are missing, it may delay the processing of your application.

If you need to apply on paper urgently

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

confirming to a foreign government that you’re not a citizen (for example, to get a passport from that country)
administering the estate of a deceased person or executing a will
showing you are (or are not) a citizen to get a certain job

In your application

include a letter explaining why you need urgent processing
provide documents to support your explanation, for example
- a letter from a foreign government stating that they need the information
- documents that show you’re administering an estate or the executor of a will
- a letter from an employer

Write Urgent – search of citizenship records 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 search of citizenship record on time.

How to get someone else’s record

If the person is alive

The person must give consent by signing and dating section 4B in the paper application form.

If the person is deceased for less than 20 years

You 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, and
- your legal right to get their information (such as documents naming you as the administrator or executor of the person’s estate)

If the person is deceased for more than 20 years

You need to provide a copy of your personal identification, such as a driver’s licence or health card.

How to get a paper copy of your result

We send the result of your search electronically to the email address in your application form.

If you need a paper copy of the result

let us know in the application form
you may need to wait longer due to delivery times
you will not receive the electronic letter

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 1 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.

Pay your fees online (opens in a new tab)

Submit the application

If you live in Canada or the United States

Mail your completed application form and documents to:

IRCC Digitization Centre - Citizenship
3050 Wilson Ave
New Waterford, NS
B1H 5V8

If you live outside Canada and the United States

Submit your completed application form and documents to your region’s Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission.

If you’re applying urgently, write Urgent – search of citizenship records in large, dark letters on the envelope.

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