Citizenship by Descent

Citizenship by Descent is a legal route through which individuals born outside Canada may acquire Canadian citizenship if they have a Canadian parent. This path is commonly pursued by those who wish to formalize their citizenship status and pass it to future generations. If you were born abroad and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, you may already be a citizen by law — even if you’ve never applied for proof of it.

The Canadian government grants citizenship by descent to the first generation born abroad, meaning your Canadian parent must have either been born in Canada or naturalized before your birth. If your Canadian parent was also born outside Canada, you may not qualify under this provision, but exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances.

To confirm your status, you must apply for a Proof of Citizenship (Certificate), which serves as official documentation of your citizenship. This application involves submitting key documents like your long-form birth certificate showing your relationship to your Canadian parent, your parent’s citizenship evidence, and translated documents if applicable.

It’s important not to confuse Citizenship by Descent with naturalization. You do not need to go through the full citizenship application process, attend a ceremony, or meet residency requirements if you qualify by descent. You are recognized as a citizen from birth — your task is simply to provide evidence to confirm it.

For families applying on behalf of children, we recommend reviewing our section on Minors Born Outside Canada, which outlines how minors can be recognized through their Canadian lineage.

You can also explore the broader framework of how these pathways operate on our Citizenship Application page, which covers other methods such as naturalization and citizenship for adopted children.

Understanding your eligibility under this rule can be complex, especially when documentation or timelines are unclear. Errors in your application can lead to processing delays or even rejection.

At RightWay Canada, we help clients uncover their eligibility for Canadian citizenship by descent and guide them in gathering the required documents. Book a consultation today to confirm your legal status, protect your rights, and take the next step toward obtaining your Canadian citizenship certificate with confidence.