🖱️ Table of Contents
Welcome! This document is an adapted and edited version of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from the subreddit r/CanadianCitizenship. The questions and answers from that FAQ have been reorganized into new sections, and additional information has been added.
Utilize the Document tabs feature to navigate to different sections of this document. Click or tap on a word in the Table of Contents to jump to the corresponding tab in this document.
Start here to learn the basics about the recent changes to Canadian citizenship by descent.
If you’re feeling doubtful about your potential eligibility, come here!
Important information and the FAQ created by the fantastic redditors in r/CanadianCitizenship!
Catch up with the commonly used acronyms and phrases related to Canadian citizenship by descent.
A curated collection of resources to help you along this journey.
↳ Provincial Genealogy Resources
↳ r/CanadianCitizenship Genealogy Support
Last updated January 2026
✅ Quick Start Guide
Quick Start Guide
Navigation Links
On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Citizenship Act came into effect. This bill removed the previous first-generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent for people born or adopted abroad.
Please note: Your claim to citizenship by descent is heavily reliant on the documentation you are able to gather.
However, If you…
…you’re likely a Canadian citizen by descent.
Note: Those born after December 15, 2025 may still be eligible for citizenship by descent, but their parent must have spent at least 1,095 days (3 years) in Canada in order to pass down citizenship.
↳ Want some reassurance? Take the Am I a Lost Canadian? Quiz created by the
creator of this document!
This is a simplified overview of the process for applying for a proof of citizenship certificate. A more detailed version of this list exists in the Info + FAQ tab.
As mentioned above, if you qualify for citizenship by descent, you are not applying for citizenship — you are applying for proof of citizenship that the Canadian government believes you already have.
Birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other official records that prove your ancestor was Canadian and that they are, in fact, related to you.
There are two forms to complete — the application itself and the checklist.
Two photos for each applicant that meet the IRCC specifications.
$75 CAD for each applicant.
How the application packets are sent depends on where you live.
Be patient as IRCC processes an influx of applications just like yours.
After reading this section, it is recommended to read the Info + FAQ.
🇨🇦 Am I Canadian? Quiz
Please note: IRCC is the only entity that can, with 100% certainty, confirm if you qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent and issue you a Citizenship Certificate. These resources are designed to help inform you of the likelihood of your claim based on others’ experiences.
Am I a Lost Canadian? Quiz
If you still have questions or want reassurance about your familial line after reading the Quick Start Guide, you can take the interactive Am I a Lost Canadian? Quiz, created by the creator of this document!
The quiz is designed to be a quick and simple way to determine if you are likely to qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent under Bill C-3. Once you’ve taken the quiz, your questions about the process can be answered in the Info + FAQ.
⁉️ Info + FAQ
This document is an adapted and edited version of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from the subreddit r/CanadianCitizenship. The questions and answers from that FAQ have been reorganized into new sections, and additional information has been added.
You can jump to the different sections of this FAQ using the following navigation links, or you can scroll through to read the entire document in order. It is recommended to read the FAQ, either here or from the Reddit page, in its entirety before asking questions in the subreddit to avoid redundancy in the feed.
On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Citizenship Act came into effect. Previously, there was a first-generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent, meaning those who were born abroad but whose parents were born in Canada were considered Canadian citizens, but those with Canadian grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. were not eligible to claim citizenship through them.
The first-generation limit was deemed unconstitutional in December of 2023, and some people applied for citizenship by descent under the Bjorkquist Interim Measure before Bill C-3 officially came into effect. You may see references to 5(4) grants, which were used during the Interim Measure, but are not relevant to new applicants.
Under Bill C-3, most people who have at least one Canadian ancestor are now considered Canadian citizens by IRCC.
Note: The process for applying for citizenship by descent for an adopted person is, unfortunately, different. Learn more about the process on the website or from r/CanadaAdoptedCitizens.
For additional reassurance after reading the Quick Start Guide and taking the quiz, the following table lists common concerns people have regarding their eligibility and if that scenario is likely to impact their claim to citizenship by descent.
The last Canadian in my family was my great-great-great-great-grandmother? | Yes |
I’m the 4th, 5th, 6th+ generation born abroad? | Yes |
There are multiple people in my line of descent who are now deceased? | Yes |
My ancestor was born before 1947 or 1949? | Yes |
My ancestor left Canada before 1947 or 1949? | Yes |
My ancestor became a naturalized citizen of another country? | Yes |
My ancestor served in another country’s military? | Yes |
My ancestor married a citizen of another country? | Yes |
My ancestor signed a foreign country’s document that states they denounce all other citizenship statuses? | Yes |
My ancestor never received documentation of their Canadian citizenship? | Yes |
My parent or grandparent in my line of descent didn’t apply before me? | Yes |
My parent or grandparent in my line of descent doesn’t want to apply with me? | Yes |
My parent or grandparent in my line of descent doesn’t want to apply at all? | Yes |
My parent wasn’t present in Canada for a minimum of 1,095 days before I was born? | Yes |
No one else in my family has ever lived in Canada? | Yes |
I don’t have Canadian ancestors, but my spouse does? | No |
My grandparent naturalized as a Canadian citizen a couple of years ago, after my parent was born? | No |
It now appears that most people who have Canadian ancestry will be considered Canadian citizens by IRCC. If they can properly document their line of descent and apply then they should be able to get a Citizenship Certificate.
Gen 0 refers to the last person in your line of descent who was born in Canada or naturalized as a Canadian.
“Gen 1,” “G1,” and “1st gen” all refer to the first person in your line to be born abroad and the child of Gen 0. Gen 1’s child is Gen 2, the second person in your line to be born abroad; Gen 2’s child is Gen 3; and so on.
Example: Someone whose great-great-grandparent was the last person in their line to be born in Canada is referred to as Gen 4.
The new citizenship legislation has just come into force, but according to the experts, there is no generational limit. You can watch Canadian lawyers Amandeep Hayer and Lisa Middlemiss, who are experts on the topic, talk about it in this video.
Members of the subreddit have successfully received their Citizenship Certificates as far out as the 7th generation born abroad (Gen 7), with applications pending for as far out as the 10th generation born abroad (Gen 10). There, seemingly, is no generational limit.
Please note: you will only be able to get citizenship by descent if you can document your entire line of descent to the satisfaction of IRCC.
There, seemingly, is no birth year restriction for citizenship by descent. Since the passage of Bill C-3, members of the subreddit as far out as Gen 4 (with Gen 2 born before 1947) have received their Citizenship Certificates.
Please note you will only be able to get citizenship by descent if you can document your entire line of descent to the satisfaction of IRCC.
Yes, that's true for many of us. That does not matter. You can still get a citizenship certificate.
Yes, that's true for many of us. That does not matter. You can still get a citizenship certificate.
Yes, that's true for many of us. That does not matter. You can still get a citizenship certificate.
Yes, that's true for many of us. That does not matter. You can still get a citizenship certificate.
No, they do not need to apply before you or with you.
No, you can all apply at the same time — you even have the option to send in all of your applications together.
Unless you personally went through the difficult process of specifically renouncing your Canadian citizenship directly to Canadian government officials as an adult, in writing, then you are a Canadian citizen thanks to the Lost Canadians amendments.
Unless your parent went through the difficult process of specifically renouncing their Canadian citizenship directly to Canadian government officials as an adult, in writing, then you, as the 1st generation born abroad, are a Canadian citizen.
Assuming he did not submit naturalization paperwork for her as well, if he naturalized after 1946 (or after March 1949, if he naturalized in Newfoundland), then no, you are not eligible.
If he naturalized before 1947 (or before April 1949, if he naturalized in Newfoundland), then you might be a citizen by descent.
For more details about the specifics, see the note, "Your Relevant Canadian Ancestor...", in the Glossary of Terms.
"But I applied for citizenship by descent before and was denied. How am I eligible now?"
The Bjorkquist decision, which overturned the first-generation limit (FGL) on citizenship by descent, happened in December 2023. The new citizenship law, Bill C-3, only came into effect on December 15, 2025. If you have a Canadian ancestor and are 2nd Gen or further out (3rd gen, 4th gen, etc.), and you applied before December 2023, you would have been denied a citizenship certificate under the old citizenship law with the FGL. The new law does not have a generational limit.
Based on multiple reports, most immigration lawyers have been unfamiliar with the implications in practice of the Bjorkquist decision and the Bjorkquist Interim Measure.
Immigration lawyers specialize in immigration, not citizenship, and much of the advice they have been giving out has been inaccurate.
Will immigration lawyers familiarize themselves with the new citizenship legislation now that C-3 is law? Only time will tell.
You are, of course, free to talk to or hire whoever you want – and only lawyers can provide you legal advice – but before deciding whether to hire a lawyer for this process, you may want to search the subreddit and read some of the many posts and comments about inaccurate information people have received from immigration lawyers.
The "substantial connection" requirement (1,095 cumulative days of physical presence in Canada prior to the next generation's birth outside Canada) only applies to persons born to a Canadian citizen-by-descent on or after December 15, 2025.
No, not directly. Once you have your citizenship certificate you can sponsor your spouse (or common-law partner, as defined by Canadian immigration law) for permanent residence.
There are a variety of requirements and conditions, including the intention to move to Canada (or remain, if already living in Canada), so consult IRCC Guide 5289 for more details.
See r/ImmigrationCanada for further information about your spouse immigrating to Canada, including the extensive megathread for US citizens looking to immigrate to Canada (which also discusses non-family-based immigration paths, such as "Express Entry" PR consideration in the "economic class").
After gaining PR status and living in Canada for a number of years, your spouse may eventually attain eligibility to apply for citizenship through a standard 5(1) grant.
The purpose of the documentation included with your application is to prove that your ancestor:
To do so, you need documents for each person in your line that state their:
Documentation may include:
Generally, a birth certificate (or birth or baptismal record, when applicable) is considered to be the strongest piece of evidence. If a Canadian parent’s maiden name is not listed on their child’s birth certificate, you should include their marriage license to document the name change.
Note: At the time, unofficial name changes were common — don’t worry too much if your ancestor, for example, switched their middle and first name at some point.
While accurate birth certificates for the entire line is most ideal, many have successfully received their Citizenship Certificates with much less. IRCC seems the most concerned with the records for your Gen 0 ancestor, however, it’s important to establish the connections between each person in your line through the documentation you provide.
It is highly recommended that you do your best to find the strongest documentation possible, as regardless of what others’ experiences are, only IRCC can make a determination in your case.
If you have multiple lines of descent, many have recommended to only include the documentation for one line, as to not slow down your case with excess paperwork.
The documentation you’ll able to find could depend on a number of factors:
If possible, ask around to different family members. You may be surprised to find that someone else is holding onto a copy of a birth certificate for the great-grandparent you’ve never heard of!
Below is a list of resources you can use to find additional information about your ancestors and records that could be used in your application. If you are aware of the jurisdiction that the record came from (e.g., the city your ancestor was born in if you’re looking for a birth certificate), you might be able to obtain records directly from the appropriate local department. Similarly, you might be able to obtain documents directly from a church if you’re looking for an older ancestor and know where they were baptised.
Still can't find enough documentation? Here's how to ask for help from others in r/CanadianCitizenship. You can also ask for help in r/Genealogy.
Once you’ve gathered your family’s records, you’ll need to make a colour copy of each document for your application — you will not send the originals. You can do so by printing the record from a research or genealogy website or by obtaining certified copies of the vital record directly from the source (a County Clerk’s office, National Archives, etc.). Documents should not be apostilled.
Note: Any records that are not in English or French will need to be translated.
If the original record is in black & white, depending on the type of document it is, you can:
When organizing your application packet, you may want to include a Table of Contents and label your documents in some way (e.g., writing lightly in pencil or sticking a label on the back of each page). It’s recommended to keep the documents in chronological order, either starting with Gen 0 or with yourself, but the system you use is up to you and is not mandated by IRCC.
If at all possible, get a certified copy of the birth record/birth certificate/baptism record for your relevant Canadian ancestor (Gen 0) from whatever authority holds the record (BANQ for records from Québec, the Archives of Ontario for older records from Ontario, etc.). You will send in a colour copy of this certified record to IRCC, not the original.
You also need to submit a colour copy of your own official birth certificate issued by the jurisdiction of your birth.
IRCC seems less concerned about seeing certified copies of the birth records for the generations between you and your Canadian ancestor (Gen 0), but you will need to document the link between each generation. For any birth certificate after Gen 0, make sure it at least names the parent passing down Canadian citizenship.
You can also include Canadian or foreign censuses, naturalization documents, military paperwork or draft registrations, marriage records, probate documentation, etc. to prove your line of descent. These documents do not need to be certified. You can use the version you find online.
If there isn't a surviving record of your Gen 0 ancestor's birth or baptism, submit as much documentation on them issued from Canadian authorities as you can find (e.g., marriage records, census records). People have gotten citizenship under the Bjorkquist Interim Measure using only a single Canadian Census showing their ancestor in Canada alongside documentation issued from another country.
If you can't find any documentation issued by Canada on your Gen 0, then you will need to gather as much documentation as you can find that shows they were born in Canada. If the generation before your Gen 0 (their parents) were born, married, or living in Canada, pull Canadian records showing them in Canada, too, and then prove that your Gen 0 is their child.
Per Amandeep Hayer, who is a Canadian immigration lawyer and expert on Canadian citizenship by descent, some of his clients have gotten citizenship using only documentation issued outside of Canada, like US censuses and US naturalization records (source). So, if you can't find any Canadian documentation on your Gen 0 ancestor, then pull together whatever documentation you can find and use that to submit your application.
IRCC will decide whether your supporting documentation proves your Canadian ancestry to their satisfaction.
No. IRCC does not ask for — or want — apostilled records.
For documents like censuses that are always black and white, you can just send in a black and white copy printed from online.
For birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. that are in black and white, make a colour copy of the document with a coloured sticky note on it, coloured paper behind it, or something else in colour included in the copy. This will show IRCC that you have submitted a colour copy of the document but the document happens to be in black and white.
If you have a copy of the birth or baptism record that you printed off of FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, or a similar website, you can apply using that. Mention in your cover letter that you've ordered a certified copy of the document and will upload it to your application once it comes.
No, you should send colour photocopies of your documents. If you send originals, you should not expect to get them back (although sometimes IRCC does return them).
No. While you need to submit a separate CIT 0001 form for each person, you only need to send one photocopy of each shared document.
If you qualify for citizenship by descent, you are not applying for citizenship — you are applying for proof of citizenship that the Canadian government believes you already have. When you receive your Citizenship Certificate, it acknowledges that your citizenship began on the day you were born.
Your documentation needs to prove that your ancestor was Canadian and that they are, in fact, related to you.
To do so, you need documents for each person in your line that state their:
Documentation may include:
Birth certificates are widely considered to be the strongest piece of evidence, and you should do your best to find a birth certificate for each person in your line. If your ancestor was born before birth certificates were regularly used in their region, try to find a baptismal record.
Some have successfully received their proof of Citizenship Certificates with less-than-ideal documentation, however, you should do your best to find the strongest evidence you can. You will need to include colour copies of each document with your application.
If you have multiple lines of descent, many have recommended to only include the documentation for one line, as to not slow down your case with excess paperwork. You may write a cover letter to notify them that you have multiple lines of descent, but have only documented one for clarity.
Note: Your documentation will also include two valid identity documents (e.g., driver’s license, passport) for each applicant. The guide explains the necessary components and exceptions for minors.
You will be completing the CIT 0001 application and the CIT 0014 checklist.
Note: Multiple family members (parents and children, siblings, cousins, etc.) can send in their applications together in one envelope. However, if there is one error on one person’s application, all of the applications will be returned.
Each applicant needs two photos that meet the IRCC specifications. These requirements are strict, review them carefully before you get your photos taken.
Some applicants have had success getting their photos at: Staples, Walgreens, CVS, AAA, or with a local photographer. You may find it easiest to get your photos taken in Canada, if you’re able to, but that is not required.
The application costs $75 CAD and is non-refundable once processing has begun, regardless of the final decision. If multiple family members are sending their applications in together, the fees can be paid together.
You will pay your fees online and include a printed receipt in your application packet. Instructions for payment are included in the guide.
It’s recommended to avoid sending your application packet via Canada Post and to use a courier that allows you to track the package. Additional instructions are included in the guide.
NOTE: When mailing your application, the address you use is dependent on which country you are mailing from and which courier service you are using. Find the address on the website, and make sure you change the country or territory to your location.
Expect the processing of your application to take a long time. As of January 2025, IRCC reports that 80% of applications are completed in 10 months — however, these are historical timelines and are subject to change.
Once your application is processed — and hopefully, approved — you will receive your Citizenship Certificate via email (many have reported that IRCC is now sending digital certificates, even if a physical copy was requested).
In general, people past the 1st generation born abroad have been unable to apply online and will need to send in a paper application. For those living in the US or Canada, that’s sent by mail or courier. For those living elsewhere, that’s submitted through the applicable local Canadian consular post (consulate, embassy, High Commission, etc). This may change in the future, be sure to check the website for the most recent guidelines.
If you apply with other people and anyone makes a mistake on their application, IRCC will return all of the applications. So, for example, if you send five applications in one packet and four of them are perfect but the fifth person's photos don't meet the required specifications, IRCC will return all five applications and you will have to resubmit all of them.
If you are sending by private courier (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL), send it to the courier address on Wilson Avenue.
If you are sending by a postal service (Canada Post directly from Canada, or USPS handed-off to Canada Post), you can send it either to that same courier address or to the PO Box 10000 address in Sydney. (Be aware that ongoing friction between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, and the resulting uncertainty about a strike or strike-related actions, could involve problems if you will be shipping the materials to Nova Scotia by postal mail.)
(December 13, 2025 update: Although CUPW has reached an "agreement in principle" with Canada Post, a final contract has not yet been arrived at. As such, and given the history of spontaneous and quickly changing strike action to-date, the recommendation is still not to ship anything to IRCC by U.S. Postal Service and/or Canada Post.)
Especially if you are sending by courier, there are third-party resellers of FedEx / UPS / DHL labels that offer service for a fraction of the cost that you can consider whether to use. You can find reviews of these resellers from other redditors who've used them by searching the subreddit. (This is not a recommendation of any particular reseller or even of resellers generally, but a tip that you can decide for yourself whether or not to take up.)
If you are not using a reseller to create your label, and will be going to a FedEx store to have the employees there create a label for you, be aware that the computer systems at many FedEx corporate-operated locations seem to be unable to use the courier address as-is. For the delivery town of "New Waterford," they substitute it for "New Victoria." People have reported successful deliveries of their envelopes when "New Victoria" is used as the destination.
If you have not yet applied for citizenship by descent, you will not need to apply for a 5(4) grant. You can simply apply for a Citizenship Certificate using the CIT 0001 form. If IRCC decides that you are a Canadian citizen, they will issue you a Citizenship Certificate.
5(4) grants were being used during the Bjorkquist Interim Measure. Now that new citizenship legislation is in place, they are no longer being used for citizenship by descent.
Per IRCC, "If you applied under the interim measure... [and] your application is still in process... Now that the Citizenship Act has been amended, we will process your application using the new rules. You don’t need to submit a new citizenship certificate application." (Source)
Per IRCC, "If you applied under the interim measure... [and] your application is still in process... Now that the Citizenship Act has been amended, we will process your application using the new rules. You don’t need to submit a new citizenship certificate application." (Source)
People in the subreddit have begun seeing their 5(4) applications revert back to CIT 0001 applications, and some have already received their Citizenship Certificates.
The r/ImmigrationCanada megathread for 2025 citizenship application processing timelines — which is mostly about 5(1), 'naturalization' citizenship applications — is here. You'll find a lot of useful information in it about what processing times to expect at each stage.
You're more than welcome to post your questions and timelines in r/CanadianCitizenship as well, but, depending on your question, you may get more answers on r/ImmigrationCanada.
If it says, "SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP RECEIVED," then yes, that's your AOR.
Your AOR always comes in the name shown on your birth certificate. If you specified a different name in section 6 of the CIT 0001, then at some point, your application will switch to your current name. If you're checking your status online and you suddenly can't log in, try your current name.
The subreddit r/FoundCanadians has resources to navigate next steps once you receive your proof of citizenship.
📖 Glossary of Terms
AOR: Acknowledgement of Receipt; sent to you after your application has been received by IRCC.
BAnQ: Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales du Québec; Québec’s provincial national archives, where many applicants with ancestors from Québec receive documentation.
Bill C-3: A new Canadian law that extends citizenship by descent beyond the previous first-generation limit.
Bjorkquist Interim Measure: The temporary legislation that was in place before Bill C-3 came into effect which allowed many to apply for and receive proof of Canadian citizenship by descent before December 15, 2025.
CIT 0001: The application form you will complete to request your proof of citizenship certificate.
CIT 0014: The checklist you will complete and send in with your application.
FGL: First-generation limit; a previous restriction for Canadian citizenship by descent.
Found Canadians: People who have obtained their proof of Canadian citizenship from Bill C-3 or the previous Bjorkquist Interim Measure.
Gen #; G#: Acronyms that refer to everyone in your line, including yourself.
Gen 0; G0: The last person in your line of descent who was born or naturalized in Canada. Will also be referred to as “your relevant Canadian ancestor” in this document.
Gen 1; G1: Someone whose parent is Canadian-born; the first generation born abroad.
Gen 2; G2: Someone whose grandparent is Canadian-born; the second generation born abroad.
Gen 3; G3: Someone whose great-grandparent is Canadian-born; the third generation born abroad.
Gen 4; G4: Someone whose great-great-grandparent is Canadian-born; the fourth generation born abroad.
Continues through G5, G6, G7, G8, etc.
IRCC: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; the body reviewing applications and issuing the proof of Citizenship Certificates.
Lost Canadians: People who have recently qualified for Canadian citizenship by descent because of Bill C-3.
PSU: Program Support Unit; where applications that are deemed “complicated,” for any number of reasons, are sent for additional processing.
UCI: Unique Client Identifier; the number associated with you as an individual applicant, provided with your CIT 0001 AOR or email letter.
Webform: A method used to contact IRCC about your application.
Your Line: The chain of people that connect you to your ancestor; i.e., your parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, great-great-grandparent etc.
Your Relevant Canadian Ancestor: The last person in your line of descent who was born or naturalized in Canada. See also: Gen 0, Your Relevant Canadian Ancestor
In this document and in r/CanadianCitizenship, your "relevant Canadian ancestor" refers to the last person in your line of descent who was either:
In this document and in the subreddit, "Canada" usually refers to the territory that is now Canada. So "if you have an ancestor that was born in Canada" means "if you have an ancestor that was born anywhere in the territory that is now Canada.” However, when you see something that refers to Canada and Newfoundland as separate places (like the "Relevant Canadian Ancestor" note above), "Canada" means the territory of Canada as it was on March 31, 1949, immediately before Newfoundland and Labrador united with Canada.
In this document and in the subreddit, people with Canadian ancestors are often referred to as citizens (“you are [already] a Canadian citizen” or “you are likely to be considered a citizen,” etc.), even if their applications are still pending or they have not yet applied for a Citizenship Certificate. This language reflects the way IRCC appears to be interpreting the Citizenship Act. As mentioned above, you are not applying for citizenship — you are applying for proof of existing citizenship.
However, only an IRCC officer can make a final determination of your status. The language used in this document and the subreddit’s FAQ also assumes that nothing unusual happened in your line of descent, such as your ancestor specifically renouncing Canadian citizenship directly to Canadian government officials, as an adult, in writing, before the next generation was born. IRCC appears to now be interpreting the Citizenship Act in a very broad, non-literal manner since Bill C-3 came into force. This seems to mean that most people with at least one ancestor from Canada are now considered citizens. However, given the recency of these changes, we have a limited dataset to judge their actions by. There will be more certainty once more Citizenship Certificates are issued.
Again, regardless of any information you read, no one other than IRCC can definitively confirm if you are a Canadian citizen by descent or not.
🔗 Resource Links
Resource Links
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