Washington’s deep Canadian ties could mean citizenship for tens of thousands through ancestry

From Blaine to Sumas, a string of Washington towns sits so close to the Canadian border that generations of cross-border families – and their influence – are simply part of the community.

As a matter of fact, Point Roberts, a Washington town, can only be reached by land through Canada — residents leave the U.S., drive through B.C., and cross back in just to get there.

Washington's proximity to Canada has had an unexpected consequence after Canada changed its citizenship law in December 2025, making millions of Americans with Canadian ancestry dual American-Canadian citizens, overnight.

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What the numbers reveal

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, roughly 24,000 Washington state residents reported Canadian ancestry in 2024, while another 38,000 reported French-Canadian ancestry.

These are two distinct census categories. And since these are self-reported estimates, the actual numbers might be much higher, as many may be unaware of their own family history.

On December 15, 2025, Canada eliminated the first-generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent, for those born before that date.

This essentially means that Americans who can trace an unbroken chain back to a Canadian ancestor – it doesn’t matter how many generations ago – are now Canadian citizens.

They do not have to apply to become Canadian citizens. What they do have to apply for is proof of Canadian citizenship, in the form of a Canadian citizenship certificate, a document that confirms their status, and allows them to access the benefits that come with being a Canadian. And that includes a Canadian passport.

A long history of migration and movement

For much of the 19th century, Washington's border with Canada was largely porous, allowing families and trade to easily cross over.

Meanwhile, Washington’s lumber, mining and agricultural sectors expanded rapidly during the 1880s. The lumber industry had already benefited from demand generated by California’s Gold Rush, while railroad construction and growing settlement helped drive further expansion. This attracted migrants from elsewhere in the United States and from Canada.

By 1890, the first federal census conducted after Washington became a state found that 17,412 of its residents were born in Canada, the single largest foreign-born group in the state, ahead of Germany, Sweden, and England.

Many of these residents developed roots in Washington. Today, the state continues to celebrate its history and relationship with Canada. At Blaine, the Peace Arch straddles the border, and the Hands Across the Border festival help there celebrates the two countries' shared communities and culture.

None of these events can individually prove any individual Washingtonian's citizenship. But together, they're the visible residue of a long-standing relationship.

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Are you a Canadian citizen by descent?

This year, thousands of Washingtonians who have at least one Canadian ancestor may already be a dual US-Canadian citizen, even if they don’t know it yet.

If you believe you have a Canadian ancestor – be it a grandparent, great-grandparent or from a generation further back – the first thing to do is speak to older relatives.

It could be having an ancestor who lived in Canada years ago and has fond memories of British Columbia, spoke French, or has a French-Canadian surname. This can point you towards the right ancestor and documents that you need for a successful proof of citizenship application.

Those who receive a Canadian citizenship certificate can then use it to apply for a Canadian passport, which ranks higher than the U.S. passport in 2026, as per Henley Passport Index.

Benefits of being a Canadian citizen

Since Bill C-3 took effect, thousands of Americans have applied for a Canadian citizenship certificate. Many of them have no immediate desire to move but are applying as a backup option.

A dual U.S.-Canadian citizen holds the rights and privileges of both countries. They can freely enter, live, work, and study in either one and, if they establish residency in Canada, gain access to its healthcare system and government social services.

They can also pass this citizenship on to their own children (though children born abroad on or after December 15, 2025 to a Canadian parent who was also born abroad require that parent to show 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada.)

For children born before that date, this opens the door to studying in Canada at a fraction of what international students pay, along with access to the International Experience Canada program — giving them the ability to work and study in over 35 countries abroad, most of them in Europe.

There are no tax implications of getting a Canadian citizenship certificate for those who don’t move either. Americans become subject to Canadian income tax if they establish residency in Canada or develop financial ties there, such as owning real estate, a business, or other assets in the country.

Think you may have Canadian ancestry? A licensed immigration lawyer can give you personalized guidance.

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