What Documents are required to apply for a Canadian citizenship grant that is granted at my discretion?

Instead of waiting for changes to Canada's Citizenship Act, many individuals who were born outside of the country as the children or grandchildren of Canadian citizens can apply for Canadian citizenship right now. These people, who are frequently referred to as "lost Canadians," are eligible to petition for citizenship right away.

In the interim, while Canada's first-generation-limit (FGL) to citizenship by descent is being amended, affected lost Canadians can apply for these payments.

The paperwork required to apply for a discretionary grant of citizenship under these procedures will vary depending on your particular circumstances, as well as the format you use (online or on paper).

Book a Consultation with IRCC Professional on Edmonton

What paperwork is required in order to apply for citizenship in Canada?

In order to make sure that their citizenship application contains all required paperwork, applicants should consult two resources:

1. the application guide for proof of citizenship (for both online and paper applications); and

2. The checklist of documents proving citizenship.

Documents that each candidate must submit:

All candidates for proof of citizenship must provide the following documents:

1. A citizenship certificate application form (CIT 0001).

2. Photos of the candidate that fit the requirements (one colour photo for online applications, or two original copies for paper-format applications).

3. Copies of two legitimate forms of identification, at least one of which must include the applicant's photo.

4. Evidence of payment.

Documents that certain candidates must submit:

Depending on their unique situation, some applicants could need the following paperwork:

Situation	Required document(s)
Applicant is using a representative (paid or unpaid) to aid their application	Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476)
Applicant needs to declare a sex or gender change	Statutory Declaration – Request for a Change of Sex or Gender form
Applicant has changed their legal name	Proof of legal name change — for example, a marriage certificate, court order, adoption order, or divorce decree.

Extra paperwork needed depending on the applicant's citizenship situation

Applicants for discretionary Canadian citizenship awards who fit into any of the following categories might need to submit extra paperwork:

First scenario:

When a Canadian parent is born outside of Canada and you (the applicant) have never gotten a

• Canadian citizenship certificate;

• Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (RBA); or

• Certificate or Retention of Canadian Citizenship,

You will have to Provide:

1. Your foreign birth certificate, which was issued by the relevant government agency in the nation where you were born and lists your Canadian parent's name; and

2. Evidence proving at least one of your parents, whether they are your biological or legal parents, is a citizen of Canada, such as your parent's

   1. Provincial or territorial birth certificate;

   2. Canadian citizenship or naturalization certificate;

   3. Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (RBA);

   4. Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship;

   5. British naturalization certificate issued in Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador; or

   6. Other evidence of being a Canadian citizen, such as that described in scenarios two and three.

If your birth certificate does not include your Canadian parent, or if you want to include supporting paperwork with your application, you should include

1. Documentation and birth records attesting to the identities of your Canadian parent or parents at the time of your birth;

2. a justification for the absence of your Canadian parent or parents, whether biological or legal, from your birth certificate; and

3. If relevant, a statement stating that you are unsure of the reason your Canadian parent(s) name(s) are not displayed on your birth certificate, or an explanation of why it was altered or replaced.

   
   

*For instance, hospital records, surrogacy agreements, court orders, or prenatal orders. In this case, adoption orders are not accepted.

Second Scenario:

If the applicant was a British national and never received a certificate of Canadian citizenship, and you

• Lived in Canada for five years prior to January 1, 1947, as a landed immigrant (permanent resident);

• Lived in Canada for at least 20 years before January 1, 1947;

• Had your regular place of residence in Canada on January 1, 1947;

• Lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for five years immediately prior to April 1, 1949;

• Lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least 20 years before April 1, 1949; or

• Had your regular place of residence in Newfoundland and Labrador on April 1, 1949,

  
  

You will need to provide

• A long-form birth certificate issued by the appropriate government authority in the country where you were born;

• Proof of acquisition of British subject status (e.g., birth certificate or British naturalization certificate);

• Proof of landed immigrant status in Canada, such as a copy of your immigration document, or the stamped page of your passport from your entry into Canada, if applicable; and

• Proof of your period of residence in Canada before January 1, 1947, OR in Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949.

  
  

If you are a woman who was/is a British subject who was married before January 1, 1947, you must also provide

• Your marriage certificate;

• Information regarding your husband’s nationality before January 1, 1947, such as

  • Their birth certificate;

  • Their citizenship/naturalization certificates; or

  • Any other proof of their citizenship or immigration status in Canada or abroad, such as immigration documents, visas, or passports.

Situation Three:

If you are a female applicant, and you:

1. Married a guy born in Canada or who became a British citizen prior to January 1, 1947;

2. Married a guy who was born in Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949, or who became a naturalized British citizen; or

3. You lost your status as a British subject when you got married.

You will have to provide the following:

1. A lengthy birth certificate from the relevant government agency in the nation where you were born;

2. Your marriage certificate;

3. Details about your husband's nationality or nationalities prior to January 1, 1947, including

   1. Their birth certificate;

   2. Their citizenship/naturalization certificates; or

   3. Any other proof of their citizenship or immigration status in Canada or abroad, such as immigration documents, visas, or passports;

4. Evidence of obtaining British subject status, such as your birth certificate or, if relevant, a British naturalization certificate; and

5. A copy of your immigration document or, if available, the stamped page of your passport from the time of your admission into Canada serve as proof of your status as a landed immigrant (permanent resident) in Canada.

The application procedure:

Applicants can apply for a discretionary award of citizenship after determining the situation that applies to them and obtaining the necessary paperwork.

In order to accomplish this, candidates must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for proof of citizenship.  The IRCC will decide if you qualify for a discretionary citizenship grant after reviewing your application. Should you are, the division will

1. Provide you with a letter verifying if you are subject to the first-generation limit; and

2. We encourage you to apply for a discretionary citizenship grant if you are affected.

If you are impacted, we urge you to apply for a discretionary citizenship grant.

Certain applicants can request urgent processing of their application if they meet the necessary conditions.

See our website for further details on how to apply for evidence of citizenship.

Book a Consultation with IRCC Professional on Edmonton