10 questions to ask before hiring an immigration lawyer for Canadian citizenship by descent

If you think you may be eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent, hiring an immigration lawyer can help with your application.

We spoke with an immigration lawyer at Cohen Immigration Law to outline 10 questions worth asking before you hire a representative.

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1. Is the consultation free or paid, and how long is it?

Firms vary on this. Some offer a free introductory call, while others charge for a longer, more detailed session.

Asking upfront what format the consultation takes and how much time you'll get, can help you come better prepared.

2. Are you licensed by an authorized body?

In Canada, an immigration representative must be licensed with an authorized body to accept payment. Lawyers must belong to a provincial or territorial law society or the Chambre des notaires du Québec. Consultants must belong to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).

After asking them which body they are authorized by, you can double check this information using the government of Canada’s official webpage.

If they are not licensed or authorized, you should not use their services.

3. What packages do you offer?

It in your best interest to enquire whether the firm charges a flat fee for the full application or breaks its services into stages, such as document review followed by filing.

A reputable lawyer will take the time to understand your specific situation before recommending a package.

Confirm what's included at each stage, what would trigger an additional cost.

4. What are my chances of success?

Since Bill C-3 took effect on December 15, 2025, the first-generation limit no longer applies to applicants born abroad to a Canadian ancestor before that date.

That said, there can be some ambiguity regarding proof of Canadian citizenship applications, especially in complex cases such as those involving a pre-1947 Canadian ancestor, multiple generations, name changes, missing documents, or foreign records.

Your lawyer should hear the details of your case and be able to tell you your chances of a successful application based on your situation, the documents you have, and the cases of other clients in a similar situation.

Check if your lawyer can look through your documentation to confirm that you may qualify.

Get a Free Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship

5. How do you prefer to communicate, and what's a realistic response time?

Firms may have different processes and communication styles, so it is best to check up front.

For example, some companies have specialized portals with secure messaging that can be updated as you work on completing your file, linked to a case manager.

Case managers may aim to respond within a business day, and organize phone calls to provide additional clarity.

Ask about the communication method and expected response time before you commit.

6. What documents will you personally review, and what will I need to gather myself?

The process of gathering documentation can affect both your workload and the fee.

In most cases, a firm can advise you on which documents you need and how to obtain them, help you identify and address any gaps in your documentation, and provide guidance on locating a missing birth certificate along with what alternatives IRCC accepts if it can't be found.

Some firms may also be able to order certain records directly, such as post-1923 Quebec birth certificates, while leaving the rest of the collection to you.

7. Can you provide references from clients who've received their citizenship certificates?

A firm with an established track record should be able to point to real, if anonymized, outcomes.

If you do speak with a reference, keep the call brief and respectful of their time, and ask specific enough questions to confirm they were a genuine client with a similar application.

8. What's your estimated timeline for each step, and for a final decision?

Your lawyer can help break the process into stages such as document review, submission, and IRCC's decision, and then give you a timeline for each based on current wait times.

As of time of writing, only the processing time for proof of Canadian citizenship certificate is 19 months. However, this is subject to change, and can be easily verified online. Be mindful of checking these timelines against those given by an immigration consultant or lawyer.

No representative can guarantee a specific processing time or say they can move your file ahead of others in the queue.

9. What happens if my application is refused?

It might be worth asking how the firm handles a refusal, and whether that support is included in your original fee or billed separately.

A responsible firm will review the reasons for refusal with you and help correct and resubmit your application (though the greater priority should be preparing a complete and accurate application from the outset by staying current on IRCC's requirements).

10. If my application is approved, do you assist with next steps?

Receiving your proof of Canadian citizenship certificate is often not the end of the process.

Ask whether the firm supports you with what comes next, such as applying for a Canadian passport, or addressing eligibility for a spouse through spousal sponsorship.

A few red flags worth watching for

Beyond these 10 questions, a handful of behaviours should give you pause.

Be cautious of any representative who promises a guaranteed outcome, claims they can speed up IRCC processing, or pressures you to sign quickly. Any fee that appears partway through the process without having been disclosed upfront is also worth questioning.

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*This article is provided for general information purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice.