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Frequently Asked Questions
- My husband is American but I am a Canadian citizen and we recently had a baby in the U.S. How can I apply for my child's Canadian citizenship?
If your child was born prior to the 17th of April 2009 and you were a Canadian citizen at the time of your child's birth, your child is entitled to Canadian citizenship. Please see the section of this web site entitled "Obtain Proof of Citizenship/Citizenship Certificate".
If your child was born on or after the 17th of April 2009, your child's entitlement to Canadian citizenship will depend on how you obtained your Canadian citizenship. For a detailed explanation of the new citizenship law, please see this page.
- I have lost/misplaced or had my citizenship card stolen. How can I replace it?
Please see the section of this web site entitled "Obtaining Proof of Citizenship/Citizenship Certificate".
- As part of the application, I need to provide two (2) items of official identification for my child. What identification can I submit?
Examples of documents that can be submitted include: driver license, U.S. permanent resident card, social security card, state identification card, U.S. passport, other foreign passport, other foreign national ID card, SIN card, child's Amber Alert identification, and a health insurance card (this needs to be government-issued for adults but can be a private health insurance card for children).
- With my application, I am required to submit original or certified copies of documents. Who is authorized to certify copies?
Copies can be certified "notarized", as it is commonly referred to in the U.S.) by any notary public. Please ensure the notary has signed, dated and stamped both sides of each document copy. The notary's commission must be valid and evident on all copies. Alternatively, send the application and documentation to the Consulate General, which will copy and return the documents before forwarding the application to the Citizenship Processing Centre.
If forwarding an application directly to the Citizenship Processing Centre in Nova Scotia, it is not recommended to submit originals items of identification, as it typically takes 12 months for the application to be processed.
- I cannot find a photographer that can take a citizenship photo with the white strip at the bottom. Can I send a regular U.S. passport-type photo instead?
No, send only photographs that match the CIC specifications. For further information about photographs and photograhers, please see the section of this web site entitled Obtaining Proof of Citizenship/Citizenship Certificate.
- I am applying for a citizenship certificate on behalf of my child. I need to prove that I am Canadian but I have lost my Canadian birth certificate. How can I get a new one?
Contact the Vital Statistics department in the province or territory of birth (and apply for a replacement certificate.
- I understand it can take 12 months for the Citizenship Processing Centre to complete its review of my application. How can I track the status of that application?
It is always recommended to send the application via courier with a tracking number, so delivery is confirmed. Also, when paying online, keep a copy of the receipt and use that number to verify the status of the application online via the Citizenship and Immigration website. It may take five (5) to seven (7) months following receipt for the application to be entered into the system, and for any information to be available online.
If the application for a citizenship certificate was submitted and a confirmation of receipt letter from the Citizenship Processing Centre in Canada was received, that letter will display a reference number. This number can be used to verify the status of your application, via the Citizenship and Immigration website. However, such letters of receipt are rarely issued. Otherwise, check the status of the application by calling the Citizenship and Immigration Call Centre from inside Canada only at (888) 242 2100.
- I believe that I may have lost my Canadian citizenship as a minor (I was born in Canada) when my parents moved to the U.S. Is there any way I can still claim my Canadian citizenship?
Please see the section of this web site entitled "Resume Citizenship" for more information.
- I would like to renounce my Canadian citizenship. How can I do that?
Please see the section of this web site entitled Renounce Citizenship for more information.
- I am thinking of acquiring U.S. citizenship, but do not want to renounce my Canadian citizenship. Can I have dual citizenship?
Canada recognizes dual and plural citizenship. The Canadian Government therefore does not require a person to renounce their Canadian nationality should they choose to take on the citizenship of another country.
