You can get citizenship if your parent is Canadian

May 23 to May 29 is Citizenship Week in Canada where we celebrate what it means to be Canadian from the rights and freedoms we enjoy, to the responsibilities we share, and the diversity that makes us strong. For those of you who had at least one Canadian parent, you might be a citizen even if you were born abroad.

Canada allows biological and legal parents to pass citizenship to their children who were born outside of the country, provided at the time of the child's birth the parents were first-generation Canadians. Once Canadian citizenship has been passed down, it cannot be passed down again. So if you were born abroad to Canadian parents, your children will not automatically get Canadian citizenship if they were born abroad as well.

If this describes one of your parents, you may already be Canadian. In order to prove it, you need to get a proof of citizenship, which is also called a citizenship certificate.

Get a Free Legal Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship

How to get proof of citizenship

In order to prove that one of your parents is Canadian, you will need to submit evidence such as your parent’s birth certificate, citizenship card, or citizenship certificate. You will also have to pay an application fee of $75 CAD.

Once IRCC confirms your application is complete, it will provide you with an “acknowledgment of receipt”. Then, if IRCC approves your application, you will get a Canadian citizenship certificate.

You can apply for proof of Canadian citizenship at any age. Also, you can submit the application whether your Canadian parent is alive or deceased.

With the proof of citizenship document you will be able to call Canada home. You can get a Canadian passport, vote in an election, and enjoy the host of privileges that come with being Canadian.

An experienced immigration lawyer can submit a complete and accurate Proof of Citizenship application on your behalf.

Get a Free Legal Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship