Guidelines and resources
Explore these resources to support your planning and ensure a respectful, inclusive and well-run citizenship ceremony:
- Reception guidelines (in-person ceremony only)
- Display and advertising guidelines
- Social media guidelines
- Guidelines for host photography and recording
- Gift guidelines
- Working with the media (in-person ceremony only)
Reception guidelines (in-person ceremony only)
While optional, hosting a reception after the ceremony is a great way to celebrate new citizens and welcome their guests. Receptions typically include light refreshments in a warm, festive atmosphere.
As host, your responsibilities include:
- introducing reception volunteers to IRCC staff
- ensuring food and beverages are ready before the ceremony begins
- setting up the reception area (tables, chairs, signage)
- greeting and guiding new citizens and their guests to the reception area
- serving refreshments to new citizens and guests
- cleaning up and restoring the venue to its original condition
- displaying signage for food allergies or sensitivities
Suggested menu and supplies
- Beverages: water, coffee, tea or juice
- Don’t serve alcohol (no beer, wine, liquor or spirits)
- Add-ins: milk, cream and sugar
- Food options: cakes, cookies, sandwiches or wraps, cheese, crackers
- Supplies:
- plates, cups and cutlery (no corporate branding)
- napkins
- tablecloths
- centrepiece
We recommend using nut-free products and clearly labelling all food and drink items.
Signage and advertising guidelines
Specific rules apply to hosts and sponsors when it comes to displaying signage and promotional content at citizenship ceremonies.
Hosts
- Hosts may display 1 to 2 bilingual banners at the back of the ceremony room or in the hallway near the reception area.
- Hosts may set up a table or kiosk featuring bilingual materials about their organization and programs.
- This must be placed at the back of the room or outside of the ceremony room, ideally in the reception area.
- IRCC will determine what’s permitted based on available space.
- Host representatives must remain stationary at their table or kiosk.
- Hosts may not actively distribute materials at the table or kiosk—new citizens or guests must approach them voluntarily.
- Sports teams or other multi-cultural centres acting as hosts can request a checklist with advertising dos and don’ts from IRCC.
Sponsors
- Sponsors aren’t allowed to display signage or logos or set up a table or kiosk at any time—before, during or after the ceremony—whether within or outside the designated ceremony area.
- IRCC can provide sponsors with a sponsor-specific checklist outlining what is and isn’t allowed.
Social media guidelines
If you’re sharing information about a citizenship ceremony on social media, before or after the event, follow these guidelines:
Hosts
- Clearly identify your role using phrases such as
- “Host of the citizenship ceremony”
- “An IRCC citizenship ceremony hosted by [host name] will take place on [date].”
- IRCC will thank the host during the ceremony and may mention them in media advisories, if applicable.
Sponsors
- Sponsors should refer to themselves as “sponsor of the citizenship ceremony hosted by [host name].”
- IRCC won’t mention sponsors on social media, in media advisories or during the ceremony.
Guidelines for host photography and recording
Ensure you have proper consent from participants if you
- plan to photograph or record the ceremony, and
- want to use the content in published materials or live streaming
We strongly recommend you prepare your own permission release form for ceremony participants to sign. The IRCC permission release form doesn’t cover external use.
Livestreaming
Hosts should discuss with IRCC officials if they’re interested in livestreaming a citizenship ceremony, as IRCC officials need to inform all ceremony participants in advance.
Gift guidelines
Hosts and special guests may choose to present gifts to new citizens as part of the celebration. These gifts must
- be small and inexpensive
- be non-partisan
- be bilingual
- represent Canada’s identity and values
Acceptable gift ideas
Some suggestions for acceptable gifts include
- lapel pins, key chains, badges and other mementos that represent Canada
- elected officials may give out pins or badges featuring the name of their province, territory or municipality; a non-partisan business card may be included
- Canadian flags
- books about Canadian landscapes, history, art or other subjects
- cards and crafts made by children in the community
- tree saplings
- congratulatory non-personalized letters that are bilingual and non-partisan (we won’t share the names of candidates)
IRCC guidelines on gifts
- IRCC gives federal members of Parliament (MPs) a list of new Canadian citizens (only those who’ve consented) so MPs can send personalized congratulatory letters to their new constituents after the ceremony.
- We don’t recommend congratulatory certificates, as they may be mistaken for the official Canadian citizenship certificate.
- Gifts that promote a single nationality or demographic group aren’t permitted.
Reminders
- All gifts or materials must be approved by IRCC before being distributed at a ceremony.
- IRCC occasionally works with sports team and galleries. We can provide details upon request.
Working with the media (in-person ceremony only)
Media coverage can help highlight the significance of citizenship ceremonies. But it must be coordinated carefully to respect participants and maintain the integrity of the event.
Host responsibilities
Before involving media, hosts must
- consult with IRCC staff before sending any media invitations
- ensure media representatives understand they must use their own permission release forms when interviewing new citizens
- prepare designated interview areas at the ceremony venue
- confirm there are enough electrical outlets for media equipment
- discuss whether media risers are required for filming or photography
- inform IRCC staff or IRCC media relations of any concerns regarding media presence at the ceremony
IRCC support
IRCC staff can
- help coordinate interviews with new citizens or special guests
- provide additional support to reporters attending the ceremony
When reporters are formally invited to a ceremony, IRCC typically issues a media advisory and reporters can coordinate attendance through IRCC media relations.