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Citizenship by descent · Canada

Canadian citizenship by descent.

See who qualifies, the ways to claim, the cost and the documents. Last checked 11 Oct 2026.

Canadian citizenship by descent at a glance

In short

Since 15 December 2025, people born outside Canada before that date to a Canadian parent are in most cases Canadian, even when that parent was also born abroad. For a child born outside Canada on or after that date, a parent who was also born abroad must have spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the birth. An exception covers a parent or grandparent who was working abroad for the Canadian Armed Forces or the federal or a provincial public service.

Who qualifies
Parent, and often grandparent or further back, if each person in the line was a citizen when the next one was born. For births from 15 December 2025, a parent born abroad also needs 1,095 days in Canada before the birth
Ways to claim
Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) and Search of citizenship records
Official body
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Check if you qualify

Routes

Ways to claim.

Each route has its own steps, cost and documents. The official page has the full rules.

Route

Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)

People who think they are Canadian by descent and want IRCC to check it and give them proof.

Official page

Steps

  • Collect official records for each person in the line, from you back to the Canadian parent or grandparent. IRCC wants documents from the original authority, such as birth certificates.
  • Collect proof that the first Canadian in the line was a citizen, such as a Canadian birth record or a Canadian citizenship certificate.
  • Born on or after 15 December 2025 to a parent born abroad: fill in form CIT 0555 and add records of that parent's 1,095 days in Canada before the birth. If a parent or grandparent was working abroad for the Canadian Armed Forces or the federal or a provincial public service, proof of that job is needed instead.
  • If your Canadian parent was also born outside Canada, IRCC says you must apply on paper. The paper package is the instruction guide, the document checklist (CIT 0014) and the application form (CIT 0001).
  • Pay the CAD 75 fee online, print the receipt and attach it.
  • Send the application by mail, or at a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate. The IRCC guide has a tool that shows where to send it from each country.
  • Wait for IRCC to decide. If you are a citizen, it issues a citizenship certificate. If not, it sends a refusal letter and keeps the fee.
  • With the certificate, one next step is a Canadian passport application.
Cost
CAD 75 per person. Not refundable once processing has begun.
Time
IRCC's processing times tool shows about 33 months (updated 3 September 2026). IRCC says times vary. If you live outside Canada and the US and apply through an embassy, high commission or consulate, add 3 to 4 months for mailing.

Documents

  • Official records for every generation in the line, back to the Canadian
  • English or French translation of any document in another language, with a sworn statement from the translator unless they are a Canadian certified translator (family members cannot translate)
  • Two pieces of valid ID, one with a photo
  • Two identical printed citizenship photos
  • Document checklist (CIT 0014) and application form (CIT 0001), signed and dated
  • Printed receipt for the fee paid online
  • Born on or after 15 December 2025 to a parent born abroad: form CIT 0555, with records of that parent's days in Canada (such as school or work records, passports or entry and exit records, or rental records), or proof of a Crown servant job abroad

"A citizenship certificate is a document that proves your Canadian citizenship." (IRCC: Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: About the process)

Route

Search of citizenship records

People who need to know if, or when, a parent or grandparent became a Canadian citizen. The result letter is not proof of citizenship.

Official page

Steps

  • Fill in the search of citizenship records application (form CIT 0058). You can apply online only for your own records. For someone else's records you apply on paper.
  • For a living person's record, include their signed, written consent. For a person who has died, include proof of death and proof of your relationship.
  • Pay the CAD 75 fee online. There is no fee if you apply at the same time as a citizenship certificate application, or while your own certificate application waits for a decision.
  • Send the form and documents. In Canada or the US, mail them to the IRCC Digitization Centre - Citizenship in New Waterford, Nova Scotia. Elsewhere, submit them to the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate for your region.
  • IRCC emails a letter. If it finds the record, the letter says when the person became a citizen. If not, it says there is no record.
  • Use the result to see if your parent or grandparent was a citizen when the next person was born.
Cost
CAD 75 (no fee if you apply at the same time as a citizenship certificate, or while your certificate application waits for a decision)
Time
IRCC's processing times tool shows 19 months. IRCC says this is how long most complete applications took in the past. If you live outside Canada and the US and apply through an embassy, high commission or consulate, add 3 to 4 months for mailing.

Documents

  • Search of citizenship records application (CIT 0058)
  • Two pieces of valid ID, one with a photo
  • Proof the fee is paid
  • For someone else's record: their written consent, or proof of death and of your relationship if they have died

"You can ask for a search of citizenship records to confirm a person’s citizenship and naturalization information." (IRCC: Search of citizenship records: About the process)

Answer a few questions to see which route may fit you.

Open the checker

FAQ

Common questions.

Can I get Canadian citizenship through my grandparent?

Yes, in many cases. People born outside Canada before 15 December 2025 to a Canadian parent are in most cases citizens, even when that parent was also born abroad. So a Canadian grandparent can pass citizenship down through your parent. For a birth on or after that date, the parent born abroad also needs 1,095 days in Canada before the birth.

What is the first-generation limit in Canada?

It is the rule, added in 2009, that stopped Canadians born abroad from passing citizenship to children also born abroad. An Ontario court found key parts of it unconstitutional on 19 December 2023. Bill C-3 changed it from 15 December 2025. For births from that date, a parent born abroad can pass on citizenship with 1,095 days in Canada before the birth.

Do I need to apply to become Canadian by descent?

IRCC says that in most cases you are automatically a citizen if you were born outside Canada before 15 December 2025 to a Canadian parent. IRCC also says that if you think you became a citizen because of Bill C-3, you must apply for a citizenship certificate to find out for sure. The certificate also helps with a Canadian passport application.

What does the 1,095 days rule mean?

It means the Canadian parent spent at least 1,095 days (3 years) in Canada in total before the child's birth. The days add up over time and do not need to be in a row. It applies to children born outside Canada on or after 15 December 2025 whose Canadian parent was also born abroad. A parent or grandparent who was working abroad for the Canadian Armed Forces or the federal or a provincial public service is an exception.

How much does proof of Canadian citizenship cost?

IRCC lists CAD 75 for a citizenship certificate and CAD 75 for a search of citizenship records. The Citizenship Regulations list the same fees. IRCC does not refund the fee once processing has begun.

Does it matter if someone in my family renounced Canadian citizenship?

Yes, it can. IRCC says a person who officially gave up (renounced) Canadian citizenship, and has not applied to get it back, is likely not a citizen. A parent who was not a citizen when you were born cannot pass citizenship on to you by descent.

I applied under the interim measure. Do I apply again?

No. IRCC says it will process those applications using the new rules. People do not need to send a new citizenship certificate application.

What if I do not want to be Canadian?

IRCC says people who became Canadian automatically through this change, but do not want to be, can apply to give up (renounce) their Canadian citizenship.

Other countries

Descent by country.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Last checked 11 Oct 2026.

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