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Canada – Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship)

Application Procedures and Fees


Instead of citizenship cards, Canada will issue a citizenship certificate for those who need to prove Canadian citizenship (e.g. apply for a passport, job, pension, social insurance number, etc.). This application is applicable for applicant(s) who want to pass down the Canadian citizenship to the child(ren) who was born outside Canada, to prove the Canadian citizenship, to replace a lost/destroyed or stolen certificate or update the biographical information.


1.

Handling and Applications Fees


Our handling fee for the standard Canada Citizenship Certificate application is USD1,080, inclusive of the government filing fee. An expedited processing service is available for an additional fee (see Note 2).


Our handling fee for the standard Canada Citizenship Certificate application followed by the Canada passport application is USD 1,380. In particular, our fees cover the following services:




  1. Continuous advice regarding the application for Canada citizenship certificate/ passport;
  2. Assistance in the preparation of the required documents;
  3. Preparation of authorization letter(s) and application form(s);
  4. Preparation and submission of application package to IRCC;
  5. Liaison with the IRCC regarding the application;
  6. Application status reporting to the client;
  7. Response to IRCC requests for additional documents (where applicable);
  8. Forwarding of the certificate/ passport to the client’s designated mailing address.

Notes:


  1. The fees stated are exclusive of delivery charges, document translation fees, notarization fees, etc., if any.
  2. An additional fee of USD500 will be charged for an expedited processing service. IRCC will review the request for expedited processing and decide whether the application qualifies for urgent processing. However, the final processing time cannot be guaranteed as the IRCC/ VC has absolute discretion over granting an urgent processing or not.

2.

Payment Terms and Method


Upon receipt of confirmation of engagement, we will issue an invoice and email it together with detailed wire instructions to you. Because of the nature of services, we require full payment in advance. In addition, once service is commenced, no service fees will be refunded.


We currently only accept checks, cash or TT and credit card payment through PayPal. If the invoice is settled by PayPal, an extra 5% service fee will be charged.


If Taiwan uniform invoice is required, a Business Tax at 5% of the invoiced amount will be charged and collected.


3.

Eligibility Criteria


A Canada Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship) application is generally appropriate for applicant(s) who:



(1) need to replace, update, or correct a citizenship certificate (or a citizenship card issued before 2012);

(2) need a document that proves Canadian citizenship (e.g., for a passport, employment, pension, or Social Insurance Number);

(3) believe they are Canadian citizens and wish to confirm their status by obtaining official proof;

(4) were born outside Canada and had at least one legal parent at birth or biological parent who was a Canadian citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth (noting that limits may apply depending on the child’s date of birth and the parent’s circumstances);

(5) were Canadian citizens when their child was born outside Canada and wish to obtain proof of citizenship for that child (where the child is or may be a Canadian citizen);

(6) was adopted or has adopted a child outside Canada. Note that a person adopted outside Canada by a Canadian citizen is not automatically a Canadian citizen. Adoption cases generally require an application for grant of citizenship before a citizenship certificate can be obtained.


Citizenship Certificate or Card Replacement (examples)



  • Citizenship cards issued before 2012;
  • Information on the certificate is out of date;
  • An error on the certificate needs to be corrected; or
  • The certificate/card has been damaged, stolen, lost or destroyed.


Notes:

(1)     If the application is approved, the current certificate will be cancelled. Applicant(s) may not hold more than one valid citizenship/naturalization certificate, and IRCC must receive previous certificates before a new one can be issued.

(2)     Not all children born in Canada automatically become Canadian citizens at birth. For further details, please contact Kaizen’s Mobility and Migration Team.



Urgent Processing (Exceptional Cases)



  1. Urgent processing may be requested in exceptional circumstances by submitting:
- a letter explaining why urgent processing is needed; and
- supporting documents (e.g., itinerary with proof of payment, employer/school letter, doctor’s note, death certificate).

IRCC will review the request, but urgent processing is not guaranteed. Typical considered examples include:
- Accessing benefit (e.g., pension, health care, SIN);
- Proving identity for employment purposes; or
        - Travelling to/from Canada due to death or serious illness of applicant’s family member.




4.

Documentary Evidence and Information Requirements


General submission


  1. Complete application form of [CIT 0001]
  2. Two (2) photographs meet the photo specifications
  3. Two (2) pieces of valid personal identifications (e.g. driver’s license, age of majority card, passport, certificate of Indian status card, health insurance identification card, senior citizen’s card, travel document, etc.) that at least one contain photo
  4. Evidence for parents and grandparents who were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory (if applicable, details please check here)
  5. Evidence for name change (if applicable, details please check here)
  6. Evidence for date of birth correction (if applicable, details please check here)
  7. Form [IRM 0002] for gender identifier change and Statutory Declaration (applicable for the case of Change of Sex or Gender)
  8. Authorization form of [IMM 5476]




For Previously issued Canadian citizenship certificate OR Canadian naturalization certificate (you were granted Canadian citizenship) OR Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (RBA) OR Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship OR British naturalization certificate issued in Canada or in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Item

Description

Paper Format

Online Format

1

All original citizenship/naturalization certificates (inc. any pink transmission copies, if applicable)

Original

Scanned Colour image

2

Registration of Birth Abroad certificate (RBA document issued prior to February 15, 1977, if applicable)

Colour copy

Scanned Colour image

3

Retention of Canadian Citizenship certificate, if applicable

Colour copy

Scanned Colour image





For applicant(s) born in Canada and have never had a citizenship certificate:

Item

Description

Paper Format

Online Format

1

Canadian birth certificate issued by the appropriate provincial/territorial authority in Canada

Colour copy

Not applicable

2

Proof of other nationalities by you and your Canadian Parent before February 15, 1977, if applicable

Colour copy

Not applicable





For applicant(s) (or the minor you are applying for) was born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, and never had a Canadian citizenship certificate OR Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (RBA) OR Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship:

Item

Description

Paper Format

Online Format

1

Your country-specific birth certificate displaying the name of your Canadian parent(s) issued by the appropriate government authority in the country where you were born

Colour copy

Scanned Colour image

2

Proof that at least one of your parents (legal parent at birth or biological parent) is a Canadian citizen. E.g.

· Parent’s provincial/territorial birth certificate, OR

· Parent’s Canadian citizenship/naturalization certificate, OR

· Parent’s Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (RBA) or Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship

· Parent’s British naturalization certificate issued in Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador

· Parent’s country specific birth certificate displaying the name of your Canadian grandparent(s) AND proof that at least one of your grandparents is a Canadian citizen, OR

· Any other evidence that your parent is a Canadian citizen

Colour copy

Scanned Colour image

3

Proof of other nationalities acquired by you and your Canadian Parent before February 15, 1977, if applicable

Colour copy

Scanned Colour image

If your Canadian parent is NOT listed on your country-specific birth certificate OR you want to provide supporting documents with your application:

4

Birth records and documents confirming the name(s) of your Canadian parent(s) at the time of your birth (e.g. pre-birth orders, court orders, surrogacy agreements, hospital records, etc.)

Colour copy

Scanned Colour image

5

A letter to explain why your Canadian parent (legal parent at birth or biological parent) is not listed on your country-specific birth certificate.

Colour copy

Scanned Colour image

6

A letter to explain why your country-specific birth certificate was changed, replaced or you aren’t sure.

Colour copy

Scanned Colour image






If you (or the minor you are applying for) were born outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025 and your Canadian parent(s) was also born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent:


7

Complete How to Calculate Physical Presence in Canada for a Canadian Parent (CIT 0555) form

Original

Not Applicable

8


Documentary evidence proving your Canadian citizen parent was physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (cumulative) before the date of your birth. Documentary evidence could include, but is not limited to:

·     Travel records (passport, entry/exit records, etc.)

·     School, or employment records

·     Rental/lease agreements, mortgages, etc.

·     Other government records (Federal, Provincial/ Territorial, or Municipal)

·     Attestations by churches, unions or other organizations

· Affidavits of third parties having knowledge of the residence and physical presence


Colour copy

Not Applicable




Note: On December 15, 2025, the Citizenship Act was amended, requiring applicants who are born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to demonstrate that at least one of their Canadian citizen parents has 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada prior to the birth of the applicant.





For British Subject who has never been issued a Canadian citizenship certificate and lived in Canada for 5 years before January 1, 1947 as a landed immigrant (permanent resident) OR lived in Canada for at least 20 years before January 1, 1947 OR had your ordinary place of residence in Canada on January 1, 1947 OR lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for 5 years immediately before April 1, 1949 OR lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least 20 years before April 1, 1949 OR had your ordinary place of residence in Newfoundland and Labrador on April 1, 1949:

Item

Description

Paper Format

Online Format

1

Your long-form birth certificate issued by the appropriate government authority in the country where you were born

Colour copy

Not applicable

2

Proof of acquisition of British subject status, e.g. birth certificate or a British naturalization certificate

Colour copy

Not applicable

3

Proof of your landed immigrant (LI) status in Canada, e.g. a copy of your immigration document, the stamped page from the passport used when you entered Canada, if applicable

Colour copy

Not applicable

4

Proof of your period of residence in Canada before January 1, 1947 OR in Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949

Colour copy

Not applicable

If you are/were a British subject woman who married before January 1, 1947

5

Marriage certificate

Colour copy

Not applicable

6

Information about your husband’s nationality (or nationalities) before January 1, 1947 such as

· His birth certificate

· His citizenship/naturalization certificates (British or foreign)

· Any other proof of his citizenship/immigration status in Canada or another country, such as immigration documents, visas, passports, etc.

Colour copy

Not applicable




For woman who married a man who was born or had been naturalized British in Canada before January 1, 1947 OR married a man who was born or had been naturalized British in Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949 OR lost your British subject status upon or during marriage before January 1, 1947:

Item

Description

Paper Format

Online Format

1

Your long form birth certificate issued by the appropriate government authority in the country where you were born

Colour copy

Not applicable

2

Marriage certificate

Colour copy

Not applicable

3

Information about your husband’s nationality (or nationalities) upon or during your marriage e.g.

· His birth certificate

· His citizenship/naturalization certificates (British or foreign)

· Any other proof of his citizenship/immigration status in Canada or another country, such as immigration documents, visas, passport, etc.

Colour copy

Not applicable

4

Proof of acquisition of British subject status, such as your birth certificate or a British naturalization certificate, if applicable

Colour copy

Not applicable

5

Proof of your landed immigrant (LI) status in Canada, such as a copy of your immigration document or the stamped page from the passport used when you entered Canada, if applicable

Colour copy

Not applicable





Special cases for premium process

  1. Letter to explain the reasons for urgent processing
  2. Supporting document:
      1. Plane ticket or itinerary with proof of payment
      2. Letter from employer
      3. Letter from school
      4. Doctor’s note
      5. Death certificate

Notes:


  1. A certified translation of any documents that are not in English or French. The translator must sign a sworn statement (affidavit) in the presence of a notary public if he/she is not a Canadian certified translator. Translation from family members is not accepted.
  2. All documents must provide clear and legible, high quality, colour copies or scanned files.
  3. If you’re applying on behalf of a minor who does not have two pieces of identification, or does not have a photo ID, please include an explanation letter with the application.
  4. Birth certificates, Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards, bank cards, credit cards, and previous Canadian citizenship certificates are not accepted as personal identification for this application process.

5.

Application Steps and Estimated Timeline



Upon submission of a complete application package, the processing time for Canada Citizenship Certificate is 11 months as of February 2026. The application may take an additional 3 – 4 months to account for mailing time if you live outside Canada and the U.S. and are applying through a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate. It also may take an additional 6 – 8 months in processing time if you are applying for a minor (under 18) who lives outside Canada and the U.S.


Please be noted that the procedures vary depending on the current work backlog. If IRCC finds the submitted documents to be insufficient, it may request additional evidence, and the application time shall be extended. More time will be taken for complex applications. IRCC reserves the right to demand further documents from the applicant(s) as and when necessary.





Related Topics: Canada Family Sponsorship (Spousal, Partner or Dependent Children)


Should you need any assistance or wish to obtain more information, please also browse our official website at www.kaizenvis.com or contact us through the following means:


T: +852 2341 1444

M: +852 5616 4140, +86 152 1943 4614

WhatsApp / Line / Signal / WeChat: +852 5616 4140

E: info@kaizenvis.com