Canadian Citizenship Certificate: Apply, Replace or Update
A Canadian citizenship certificate is an official document that confirms a person is a Canadian citizen. It may be needed by someone born in Canada, someone who acquired citizenship through a Canadian parent, or someone who became Canadian through the citizenship process. Certificates are available in paper and electronic formats, and older citizenship cards and certificates may still be valid. A certificate proves citizenship, but it is not an identity or travel document. The application process depends on whether the person is applying for proof for the first time, replacing a lost, stolen or damaged document, or updating personal information. Understanding which application applies, what documents are required and how the certificate will be issued can help avoid delays or a returned application.
What Does a Canadian Citizenship Certificate Prove?
A Canadian citizenship certificate is an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that proves its holder is a Canadian citizen. It may be used as evidence of citizenship when applying for services, benefits, employment, a Social Insurance Number or a Canadian passport, where the receiving organization accepts it.
A citizenship certificate proves citizenship, not identity. It is not government-issued identification and cannot be used as a Canadian passport or other travel document.
Paper and Electronic Certificates
IRCC issues citizenship certificates in two valid formats:
- Paper certificate: a paper document with a certificate number beginning with K.
- Electronic certificate (e-certificate): a digital version of the citizenship certificate, with a certificate number beginning with X.
Both formats are valid proof of Canadian citizenship. An electronic certificate may be stored digitally, printed when required, or submitted in the format requested by the organization receiving it. An individual can have only one valid citizenship certificate at a time: paper or electronic.
Older paper citizenship certificates also remain valid proof of Canadian citizenship.
Citizenship Certificate and Citizenship Card
A citizenship card is an older form of proof of Canadian citizenship. IRCC stopped issuing citizenship cards in February 2012 and now issues citizenship certificates instead.
An existing citizenship card remains valid proof of Canadian citizenship. The date printed on the card is the date it was produced; it is not necessarily the date on which its holder became Canadian.
Who Can Apply for a Citizenship Certificate?
A citizenship certificate is for a person who is already a Canadian citizen or who may already have Canadian citizenship. It is not an application to become Canadian. IRCC assesses whether the applicant has citizenship and issues a certificate only if that status is confirmed.
An applicant may seek a certificate for the first time, even if they have never previously received Canadian proof of citizenship. Adults can apply for themselves, while a citizenship certificate may also be requested for a child who is a Canadian citizen or whose citizenship needs to be confirmed.
Birth in Canada
A person born in Canada is generally a Canadian citizen from birth. This route is called Birthright Citizenship.
The main exception concerns certain children born in Canada to foreign diplomatic representatives. A person born in Canada who needs official proof of citizenship may apply for a citizenship certificate, even where they have another form of proof, such as a provincial or territorial birth certificate.
Birth Outside Canada
A person born outside Canada may have acquired citizenship through a Canadian parent. This route is called Citizenship by Descent.
The answer depends on the citizenship law that applies to the applicant’s circumstances. This can include the applicant’s date of birth, whether and how the parent was Canadian, and—in some cases—the parent’s connection to Canada before the applicant’s birth. A citizenship certificate confirms the result of that assessment; it does not itself create citizenship.
Becoming a Canadian Citizen
A person who was not Canadian at birth may become Canadian by submitting a Canadian Citizenship Application. This process is commonly known as citizenship by naturalization.
A permanent resident is not eligible for a citizenship certificate only because they hold permanent resident status. They must first meet the requirements for, and be approved under, a Canadian Citizenship Application. For applicants who are required to take the Oath of Citizenship, citizenship is granted after completing the citizenship ceremony, and IRCC then provides a citizenship certificate as proof of the new status.
Other Citizenship Histories
A certificate may also be appropriate for a person whose citizenship was restored, resumed, or recognized because of a change in Canadian citizenship law. The relevant legal route must be identified before the certificate application can be assessed.
How to Apply for a Citizenship Certificate
Before applying, the applicant must confirm that a citizenship certificate application is the correct route. This may involve Birthright Citizenship for a person born in Canada or Citizenship by Descent for a person born outside Canada to a Canadian parent. A permanent resident who has not yet become Canadian must use a Canadian Citizenship Application instead.
Prepare the Application
The applicant must complete the current citizenship certificate application and provide accurate information about their identity and citizenship history. Where citizenship is claimed through a parent, the application must also include the information and evidence required about that parent.
The required evidence varies by circumstance. The citizenship certificate document checklist identifies the records that must be submitted, and the applicant’s photograph must meet the current photo requirements.
Choose the Certificate Format
Most applicants can choose a paper certificate or an electronic certificate when applying. In limited circumstances, only a paper certificate may be available.
The application method and the certificate format are different choices. An applicant may submit an application online and receive either a paper or electronic certificate if eligible for both formats.
Pay and Submit
The required citizenship fees must be paid before the application is submitted. Online applications are submitted through the IRCC system with uploaded documents. Paper applications must be completed using the current paper package and sent as instructed by IRCC.
An incomplete application, missing document or unclear response may prevent IRCC from processing the application and can result in its return.
After Submission
IRCC may request further information or documents before making a decision. The applicant can follow the application status through the IRCC application tracker. Current citizenship processing time information changes regularly and depends on the volume and complexity of applications being processed.
What to Do if Citizenship Proof Is Lost, Incorrect or No Longer Usable
A citizenship card is no longer issued. In February 2012, the citizenship certificate replaced the plastic wallet-sized card as the standard proof of Canadian citizenship. An existing citizenship card remains valid proof of citizenship.
If a citizenship card needs to be replaced or updated, IRCC issues a citizenship certificate rather than another card. A commemorative citizenship certificate is not replaced.
Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Damaged Proof
If a citizenship certificate or citizenship card is lost, stolen, destroyed or no longer usable, the holder must apply for a citizenship certificate. The replacement application includes a solemn declaration.
If the document was stolen, the holder should also report the theft to the local police before applying.
A lost or stolen citizenship card is replaced with a citizenship certificate, not another card.
A damaged paper citizenship certificate or citizenship card should be returned with the replacement application if it is still in the holder’s possession.
Updating a Citizenship Certificate
A citizenship certificate may need to be updated after:
- a legal name change;
- an error in the name, date of birth, gender identifier or other personal information;
- a reclaimed Indigenous name; or
- another change that affects the information shown on the certificate.
A legal name change requires a paper replacement application and documents proving the legal change.
If IRCC made an error and it is reported within 90 days of receiving the certificate, IRCC may replace it without a fee. If the applicant provided incorrect information, or the error is reported after 90 days, a paper replacement application and the applicable citizenship fees are generally required.
Certificate Mailed but Not Received
For a paper certificate sent to an address in Canada or the United States, the holder should wait six weeks before contacting IRCC. From six weeks to six months after it was sent, IRCC may arrange a replacement. After six months, the holder must submit a replacement application and pay the applicable citizenship fees.
For a paper certificate sent to a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate, the holder should wait eight weeks before contacting that office. From eight weeks to six months, the holder may contact the office selected in the application or where the paper application was submitted. After six months, a replacement application and fee are required.
Returning or Deleting Current Proof
When replacing or updating an electronic certificate, all digital and printed copies must be deleted or destroyed. Another copy should not be downloaded until IRCC makes a decision.
When replacing or updating a paper citizenship certificate, citizenship card or older naturalization certificate, the holder must return the original document if it is still in their possession. Failure to return an available original can delay the application.
A lost provincial or territorial Canadian birth certificate is normally replaced through the province or territory that issued it, not through IRCC.
A person may still apply for a citizenship certificate if IRCC-issued proof of Canadian citizenship is needed. A citizenship certificate does not replace the original provincial or territorial birth certificate.
