Since Bill C-3 took effect in December 2025, citizenship by descent has been one of the fastest-moving stories in Canadian immigration.
In June 2026, it became turbulent, when Canada’s citizenship department began reviewing certificates it had already issued.
Get a Free Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship
This article explains what applicants can do if impacted, and collects the key developments in one place, with links to our full coverage.
Where we are now
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says its review of citizenship certificates is largely resolved, and that finalization of pending applications is expected to resume “within the next few days.”
A routine check in early June flagged 100 certificates for potentially insufficient documentation, out of roughly 6,500 applications. Of those, 33 were automatically reinstated. The remaining 67 cases (which represent roughly one per cent of total certificates issued under C-3 to date) are still being resolved, with applicants to be reinstated or contacted within days.
The review began on June 13 when IRCC contacted some certificate recipients. In the weeks that followed, the department paused finalizing new citizenship-by-descent applications, and updated its guidance on supporting documentation.
Bottom line: this is scrutiny of a small subset of cases, not a broad rejection of proof of citizenship applications. Cases that hold up are proceeding normally. Those that don’t are, in most cases reported so far, getting a chance to confirm their eligibility.
What to do if you have been impacted
If you’ve already applied for Proof of Canadian citizenship certificate and are waiting
Your eligibility is unaffected. The most useful thing you can do is make sure your file meets IRCC’s updated source-document standard, with any gaps explained in writing. A well-documented file is the one least likely to be flagged.
If you’re considering applying for a Proof of Canadian citizenship certificate
You can still submit an application for a Canadian citizenship certificate. Review the eligibility criteria and make sure your supporting documents meet IRCC’s updated standard before you apply.
If you applied and got a surrender letter
If you received a surrender letter, there are two likely outcomes:
- IRCC reinstates your certificate based on your existing file, as happened with many of the 100 cases.
- IRCC contacts you directly to request specific additional information or documentation.
If IRCC contacts you, respond with what’s requested. If you’re unsure how to proceed, an immigration lawyer can help you assess what your file needs.
If you haven’t been contacted, no action is required while your case is under review.
It’s important to keep in mind that a surrender letter is not a rejection. If you received a letter asking you to surrender your certificate, you can continue working in Canada and keep your status while your case is under review.
You may be asked not to use a Canadian passport issued on the strength of the certificate under review until IRCC resolves your file. If you’ve travelled internationally on that passport, or have upcoming travel planned, it’s worth speaking with an immigration lawyer about your specific situation before relying on it again.
What applicants should keep in mind going forward
Bill C-3 is still in force, and the rules for who qualify are the same as they were the day the law took effect. In other words, your eligibility for citizenship by descent hasn’t changed.
The bar for documentation has been updated; IRCC’s supporting documentation requirement now specifies records from the “original” source authority. That includes the civil registry, vital statistics office, or an equivalent body.
If your documents meet the standard, the immigration minister has indicated you have nothing to worry about. Applicants whose files meet the standard are being cleared. In Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s own words, those deemed okay “are being told you’re fine.”
Building a case may be more complicated when records are old, in a foreign language, or span multiple generations. Applicants who aren’t confident in their documentation may want to consult an immigration lawyer before submitting.
Get a Free Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship
Canadian citizenship by descent: how the review unfolded
From a new law that opened citizenship to lost generations, to surrendered certificates and a federal review — the story in ten moments.
under the new rules
in first three months
Americans
in the queue
up from ~9 months
issued under C-3 (67 total)
reinstated
reviewed in full
as of July 7
up from 15 months
Get a Free Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship