What documents do I need to apply for a discretionary grant of Canadian citizenship?

Many people born outside Canada as children or grandchildren to Canadian citizens can act now to obtain Canadian citizenship, rather than needing to wait for amendments to Canada’s Citizenship Act.

These individuals (often referred to as “lost Canadians”) may apply for discretionary grants of citizenship immediately.

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Affected lost Canadians can apply for these grants under interim measures that have been put in place pending amendments to Canada’s first-generation-limit (FGL) to citizenship by descent.

The documents that you will need to apply for a discretionary grant of citizenship under these measures depend both on the format by which you apply (online or on paper) and your specific situation.

What documents do I need to apply for Canadian citizenship?

Applicants should refer to two resources to ensure that they include all needed documentation in their citizenship application:

The proof of citizenship application guide (either for online or paper applications); and
The proof of citizenship document checklist.

Documents required by all applicants

The following documents are required by all proof of citizenship applicants:

Application form for a citizenship certificate (CIT 0001).
Photographs of the applicant meeting the required specifications (two original copies for paper format applications, or one colour image for online applications).
Copies of two pieces of valid personal identification, with at least one of these documents bearing the applicant’s photo.
Proof of payment.

Documents required for some applicants

Based on their personal circumstances, some applicants may require the following documents:

Situation	Required document(s)
Applicant is using a representative (paid or unpaid) to aid their application	Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476)
Applicant needs to declare a sex or gender change	Statutory Declaration – Request for a Change of Sex or Gender form
Applicant has changed their legal name	Proof of legal name change — for example, a marriage certificate, court order, adoption order, or divorce decree.

Additional documents required by the applicant’s citizenship circumstances

Those applying for discretionary grants of Canadian citizenship may require additional documents if they fall into one of the following scenarios:

Scenario One:

If you (the applicant) were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, and never received a

Canadian citizenship certificate;
Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (RBA); or
Certificate or Retention of Canadian Citizenship,

you will need to provide

Your foreign birth certificate, displaying the name of your Canadian parent, issued by the appropriate government authority in the country where you were born; and
Proof that at least one of your parents (legal parent or biological parent) is a Canadian citizen, such as your parent’s
- Provincial or territorial birth certificate;
- Canadian citizenship or naturalization certificate;
- Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (RBA);
- Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship;
- British naturalization certificate issued in Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador; or
- Other evidence of being a Canadian citizen, such as that described in scenarios two and three.

If your Canadian parent is not listed on your birth certificate, OR if you would like to provide supporting documentation with your application, you should add

Birth records and documents confirming the names of your Canadian parent(s) at the time of your birth;*
An explanation of why your Canadian parent(s) (legal or biological) is/are not listed on your birth certificate; and
An explanation of why your birth certificate was changed or replaced, or a statement that you are unsure of why it does not display your Canadian parent(s) name(s), if applicable.

*For example, pre-birth orders, court orders, surrogacy agreements, or hospital records. Adoption orders are not accepted under this scenario.

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Scenario Two:

If you (the applicant) were a British subject and you were never issued a Canadian citizenship certificate, and you

Lived in Canada for five years prior to January 1, 1947, as a landed immigrant (permanent resident);
Lived in Canada for at least 20 years before January 1, 1947;
Had your regular place of residence in Canada on January 1, 1947;
Lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for five years immediately prior to April 1, 1949;
Lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least 20 years before April 1, 1949; or
Had your regular place of residence in Newfoundland and Labrador on April 1, 1949,

you will need to provide

A long-form birth certificate issued by the appropriate government authority in the country where you were born;
Proof of acquisition of British subject status (e.g., birth certificate or British naturalization certificate);
Proof of landed immigrant status in Canada, such as a copy of your immigration document, or the stamped page of your passport from your entry into Canada, if applicable; and
Proof of your period of residence in Canada before January 1, 1947, OR in Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949.

If you are a woman who was/is a British subject who was married before January 1, 1947, you must also provide

Your marriage certificate;
Information regarding your husband’s nationality(ies) before January 1, 1947, such as
- Their birth certificate;
- Their citizenship/naturalization certificates; or
- Any other proof of their citizenship or immigration status in Canada or abroad, such as immigration documents, visas, or passports.

Scenario Three:

If you (the applicant) are a woman and you

Married a man who was born or naturalized as a British citizen in Canada before January 1, 1947;
Married a man who was born or naturalized as a British citizen in Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949; or
Lost your British subject status upon or during your marriage,

you will need to provide

A long-form birth certificate issued by the appropriate government authority in the country in which you were born;
Your marriage certificate;
Information regarding your husband’s nationality(ies) before January 1, 1947, such as
- Their birth certificate;
- Their citizenship/naturalization certificates; or
- Any other proof of their citizenship or immigration status in Canada or abroad, such as immigration documents, visas, or passports;
Proof that you acquired British subject status, such as your birth certificate or a British naturalization certificate (if applicable); and
Proof of your landed immigrant (permanent resident) status in Canada, such as a copy of your immigration document, or the stamped page of your passport from your entry into Canada (if applicable).

The process of applying

Once applicants identify the scenario applicable to them and gather all needed documents, they can apply for a discretionary grant of citizenship.

To do so, applicants must submit their application for proof of citizenship to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Once IRCC reviews your application, they will determine whether you are eligible for a discretionary grant of citizenship. If you are, the department will

Send you a letter confirming whether the first-generation limit applies to you; and
(If you are impacted), invite you to request a discretionary grant of citizenship.

Additional documents may be requested by IRCC at this stage.

Certain applicants can request urgent processing of their application if they meet the necessary conditions.

For more information on applying for proof of citizenship, visit our dedicated webpage.

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