Inheriting Canadian Citizenship
Bill C-71 Update – 2025
Canada has amended its citizenship laws with Bill C-71, significantly expanding access to Canadian citizenship. A major change under the new law is that citizenship by descent can now be passed down from a Canadian grandparent.
Who Is a Canadian Citizen?
Any person born in Canada is automatically a Canadian citizen, with very few exceptions (e.g., children of foreign diplomats).
For those born outside Canada, Canadian citizenship can be inherited from either parent — mother or father — who was a Canadian citizen at the time of the child’s birth. This includes parents who:
- Were born in Canada, or
- Became naturalized Canadian citizens after immigrating.
Inheritance of citizenship through a parent can happen at any age — there’s no time limit to apply for proof of this right.
New: Inheriting Citizenship from a Canadian Grandparent
Under the new law (Bill C-71), a child born outside Canada may now inherit Canadian citizenship from a grandparent who was born in Canada.
This change applies to all grandchildren, regardless of when they were born. However, there is one important condition:
✅ If the child was born before the new law came into force, they are eligible for citizenship as long as their grandparent was born in Canada — no further conditions apply.
⚠️ If the child is born after the new law comes into effect, the child’s parent (who inherited Canadian citizenship from their own Canadian-born parent) must demonstrate a “substantial connection” to Canada in order for the child to qualify for citizenship.
A substantial connection means the parent must have maintained meaningful ties to Canada — for example, by living in Canada for a significant period, working or studying for example.
This ensures that Canadian citizenship passed to future generations is supported by a real link to the country.
If you believe your child or grandchild may be eligible, we can help you assess your case.
Biological, Adoptive, or Legal Parent at Birth
| Parent’s Citizenship Status | Child Born in Canada | Child Born Outside Canada |
| Canadian by birth or naturalization before child’s birth | Canadian | Canadian |
| Naturalized after child’s birth | Canadian | Not Canadian |
| Inherited citizenship from Canadian-born parent | Canadian | Canadian (grandparent born in Canada) – No conditions if child born before Bill C-71 – Must show substantial connection if born after |
Legal Parent at Birth
Since July 2020, a child’s Legal Parent at Birth — the person listed on their birth certificate at the time of birth — may pass on Canadian citizenship. This includes non-biological parents in same-sex or assisted reproduction families.
Proof of Canadian Citizenship
Children who inherit Canadian citizenship do not need to apply to become citizens — they are already Canadian by law. However, they must apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate to prove their status for the purpose of applying for a Canadian passport for example.
A citizenship certificate allows your child or grandchild to:
- Apply for a Canadian passport
- Live, work, or study in Canada without limits
- Study in Canada without international tuition fees
- Sponsor eligible relatives for Canadian permanent residence
Not Sure If You or Your Child Qualifies?
We can help you determine if you, your child, or your grandchild are eligible for Canadian citizenship — especially under the new rules introduced by Bill C-71.
Contact Us today to book a consultation or begin your application for a Canadian citizenship certificate.
