Who you’ll work with

Hosting a citizenship ceremony means collaborating with a diverse group of people who help make the event meaningful and memorable.

Here’s who you may be working with:

• Citizenship candidates
• Family and friends of candidates
• Presiding official
• IRCC officials and the clerk of the ceremony
• Master of ceremonies Optional
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police Optional
• Indigenous participants Optional
• Special guests Optional
• Guest speakers Optional
• Performers and musicians Optional
• Media Optional
• Co-hosts Optional
• Sponsors Optional

Citizenship candidates

Citizenship candidates are those who have successfully applied for citizenship. They’re the most important people at the ceremony—this is their special day and every effort should be made to make the event memorable and meaningful for them.

With their consent, candidates may be interviewed or recorded (audio or video) before, during or after the ceremony. However, interviews usually take place after the ceremony, once the candidates have become new Canadian citizens.

Family and friends of candidates

Generally, candidates are welcome to invite their family and friends to attend the ceremony and celebrate the occasion. However, not all ceremonies are the same.

For an in-person ceremony, the invitation will specify

• whether candidates can invite family and friends to the ceremony
• how many guests they can invite

For a virtual ceremony, family and friends

• may attend in the same physical space as the candidate (for example, the same room)
• can’t join the ceremony using the virtual link in the ceremony invitation

Presiding official

Every citizenship ceremony is led by a presiding official. IRCC selects the presiding official for each ceremony.

This role is generally filled by

• a citizenship judge (in most cases)
• a volunteer presiding official (VPO), which is an eminent Canadian, 18 years or older, who is 1 of the following:
  • recipient of the Order of Canada (all levels)
  • member of the Order of Military Merit (all levels)
  • recipient of the Victoria Cross (all levels)
  • recipient of the Royal Victorian Order (commander or lieutenant)
  • recipient of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (all levels)
  • recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, previously known as the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award
  • recipient of the Polar Medal, previously known as the Governor General’s Northern Medal
  • recipient of the Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division)
• the Governor General
• the Lieutenant-Governor of a province
• the Commissioner of a territory

If a VPO is chosen, IRCC ensures they’re authorized by the Registrar of Canadian Citizenship to preside over the ceremony. 

Responsibilities of the presiding official

The presiding official

• acknowledges the Indigenous territory where the ceremony takes place and introduces the Indigenous participant, when applicable
• highlights the importance of active citizenship, including the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
• speaks to Canada’s linguistic duality, emphasizing the importance of English and French as official languages
• administers the oath of citizenship slowly in both English and French
• delivers remarks appropriate to the occasion
• distributes citizenship certificates at an in-person ceremony
• offers congratulations to new citizens
• makes themselves available for photos after the ceremony
• attends a reception, if applicable

IRCC officials and the clerk of the ceremony

IRCC selects a clerk of the ceremony. Together, IRCC and the clerk of the ceremony are responsible for

• organizing the ceremony
• collaborating with the host to discuss ceremony details
• sending invitations and instructions to citizenship candidates
• ensuring printed materials are available in English and French and handed out during the ceremony
• approving the guest list suggested by the host
• providing onboarding and orientation sessions for the VPO
• selecting guest speakers
• communicating with special guests (with input from the host, when applicable)
• providing guidance as needed for guest speakers and national anthem singers
• reviewing the remarks of the special guest speaker(s), when applicable
• preparing the sequence of events
• selecting the presiding official
• inviting an Indigenous guest speaker
• managing required administrative tasks
• preparing citizenship certificates
• ensuring the ceremony complies with the Citizenship Act

For in-person ceremonies, IRCC officials and the clerk of the ceremony are also responsible for

• approving the venue
• inviting a local Royal Canadian Mounted Police representative, if applicable
• supporting photo opportunities with the presiding official and special guests
• assisting with onsite media requests, if applicable

Master of ceremonies Optional

The master of ceremonies (MC) is an optional volunteer role. An MC can be

• a representative of a community group
• a representative from the host organization

Elected officials and sponsors of the ceremony can’t be asked to serve as the MC.

The MC

• delivers opening remarks using approved scripts
• introduces some special guests

In the absence of an MC, the clerk of the ceremony delivers the remarks.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Optional

A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer in full red serge uniform can take part in citizenship ceremonies, adding a sense of tradition and national pride. RCMP officers may

• open and close the ceremony
• serve as a symbol of Canadian national identity
• lead special guests into and out of the ceremony area, when applicable
• enhance the formality of the ceremony
• join photo opportunities with new citizens and guests after the ceremony

Indigenous participants Optional

We encourage the participation of Indigenous Peoples of Canada—First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples—in citizenship ceremonies across the country. Ceremonies are enriched by involving elders, knowledge keepers, grandmothers and community leaders.

IRCC is proud to support this collaboration, which is grounded on a foundation of respect and contributes to the journey of Reconciliation.

Ways Indigenous participants may contribute

Examples of how Indigenous Peoples can participate at ceremonies include:

• serving as a greeter or welcomer
• serving as a guest speaker, which may include offering blessings, smudging or giving remarks
• performing, such as singing, dancing or drumming
• leading cultural teachings and other special activities
• acting as host

Coordination and protocol

• Indigenous participants may be invited by IRCC or the host organization.
• The host organization must consult with IRCC before confirming the attendance of an Indigenous participant.
• Discussions with IRCC should cover
  • cultural teaching fees for Indigenous guest speakers
  • ceremonial offerings
  • the order of procession
  • other relevant protocols
• Indigenous guest speakers aren’t counted in the ceremony’s guest speaker limit.

Special guests Optional

Special guests can attend the ceremony to help welcome the new citizens. The new citizens may take a photo with special guests after the ceremony.

Special guests can be

• government representatives, including elected officials (federal, provincial, territorial or municipal)
• military members and veterans
• local community leaders
• other dignitaries
• host representatives
• police force and Canadian Border Service Agency officers (in ceremonial uniform), as honour guards or hosts

Financial sponsors of the ceremony can’t serve as special guests. Check Sponsors for more information.

Participation of special guests

Some special guests may

• join other guests on stage or in the front of the stage
• take part in the ceremony procession
• be seated in the VIP seating area

The number of special guests may be limited due to various reasons, such as facility restrictions.

Inviting special guests

• IRCC generally takes the lead in inviting special guests, especially elected officials, to attend citizenship ceremonies.
• Some exceptions may apply, for example, if the host has a relationship with an Indigenous person.
• Hosts must consult with IRCC before sending out invitations to special guests.
• If you have a connection to an Indigenous person, RCMP member, Canadian Armed Forces member or performer in your community who would like to participate in a ceremony, let IRCC know and we’ll explore the opportunity together.

Elected officials and political candidates

Elected officials may attend in-person citizenship ceremonies only. They don’t attend virtual ceremonies because

• virtual events may include citizenship candidates from across Canada
• the citizenship candidates may not live in the elected official’s electoral district

Only the IRCC Minister and the Prime Minister may attend virtual ceremonies.

During elections

During an election period, political candidates and current office holders (incumbents) won’t be invited to attend citizenship ceremonies.

If a candidate or incumbent chooses to attend a ceremony, they

• won’t be formally introduced at the ceremony
• won’t be invited to speak to the citizenship candidates
• can’t introduce themselves as political candidates or hand out their business cards during a ceremony reception

Learn more

For details on elected officials and hosting, see Who can host a ceremony.

Federal elected officials can consult their portal and the IRCC Help Centre for more information about citizenship and citizenship ceremonies.

Provincial and municipal elected officials can request an information brochure from IRCC, if it wasn’t already included in their special guest invitation.

Want to attend a ceremony?

You can search our list of upcoming ceremonies with locations and times.

Find a citizenship ceremony.

Guest speakers

The participation of volunteer guest speakers enhances the citizenship ceremony and is a rewarding experience for each guest speaker.

Guest speakers should

•  offer congratulatory remarks to the new citizens
•  speak for up to 2 minutes (unilingual) or up to 3 minutes (bilingual)
•  deliver remarks in English and French, if possible

Guest speakers must not

•  share personal, religious or political views
•  promote an individual or organization
•  sell products or promote their business
•  campaign for any political party

Speaker guidelines

• We generally limit the number of guest speakers to 3. Some exceptions apply, but IRCC determines the final speaker list.
• Speakers must respect their allocated time to keep the ceremony on schedule and ensure each guest speaker has the opportunity to speak.
• IRCC staff may read a brief speaker profile (40 to 50 words) during introductions.
  • Profiles aren’t read for elected officials.
• IRCC officials review speaker remarks to ensure they’re non-partisan, respectful in tone and convey a positive, congratulatory message.

Performers and musicians Optional

Citizenship ceremonies offer a wonderful opportunity to showcase local talent and celebrate Canada’s rich cultural diversity. Volunteer performers help create a festive and welcoming atmosphere for new citizens and their guests.

Performers may be invited to contribute before, during or after the ceremony.

Types of performers may include:

• singers (soloist or choir)
• musicians
• dancers
• drummers
• poetry readers

Media Optional

Citizenship ceremonies often draw positive media attention, highlighting inspiring stories of new Canadians. Media outlets may request to attend and interview new citizens, especially at in-person citizenship ceremonies.

Candidates are informed at the ceremony if media are present.

Media attendance

• Media are welcome at in-person ceremonies.
• In rare cases, media may be invited to virtual ceremonies, typically when the event is broadcast live.
• For high-profile ceremonies, IRCC staff will inform candidates in advance if media will be present.

Photography and interviews

Media can take photos of the ceremony space and participants. However, to interview or publish personal details or images of a particular new citizen, media

• are strongly encouraged to get the new citizen’s written consent using their own media release form
• must comply with federal privacy laws, which protect candidates from being identified, interviewed or photographed without their consent

Hosts planning to take photographs or interview specific candidates must use their own release forms and discuss with IRCC staff in advance.

To issue a media advisory or news release, hosts must first contact IRCC’s media relations team.

For more information, visit Working with the media.

Co-hosts Optional

Organizations may host a ceremony on their own or partner with another organization as a co-host. Co-hosting can help share responsibilities and costs, while fostering community collaboration.

Reminders:

• Only 1 co-host will have a guest speaker role during the ceremony
• The other co-host will be acknowledged during special guest remarks

Sponsors Optional

Occasionally, a host organization may choose to work with a sponsor—typically a business, company or corporation—to help support an in-person ceremony. Sponsors don’t participate in virtual ceremonies.

Sponsors

• may cover some or all of the costs indirectly, such as paying for the venue or reception instead of making a cash donation
• don’t have an active role in the ceremony or reception
• can’t host a ceremony unless IRCC issues a national call-out and signs an agreement

Acknowledgement and visibility

• Hosts may thank sponsors during their remarks at the ceremony.
• IRCC doesn’t mention sponsors during the event.
• The partnership is strictly between the host and the sponsor only—there is no partnership between the sponsor and the Government of Canada.

Sponsor restrictions

Sponsors can’t

• speak at the ceremony
• place logos, banners or any other marketing products in the ceremony or reception space
• give gifts to new citizens before, during or after the ceremony without IRCC consent