Citizenship Through a Grandparent or Great Grandparent – Why NOW Is the Time to Act

Citizenship Certificate Application

Updated June 17, 2026

Citizenship Through a Grandparent or Great Grandparent – Why NOW Is the Time to Act

Canada has made a major change in citizenship law, and for many people with Canadian ancestry this means an unprecedented opportunity to obtain Canadian citizenship not just through a parent or grandparent, but even through a great-grandparent or earlier generations.

Bill C-3: A Game-Changer for Descendants of Canadians

For years, many people with Canadian ancestry were prevented from obtaining Canadian citizenship because of the first-generation limit. Even if they had a Canadian grandparent, great-grandparent, or deeper family connection to Canada, the law blocked them from claiming citizenship.

That has now changed.

Bill C-3, which replaces the former Bill C-71, came into force December 15, 2025 removed these barriers and enacted significant amendments to the Citizenship Act, especially concerning the controversial first-generation limit on inheriting Canadian citizenship. This rule restricted citizenship by descent to only the first generation born abroad to a Canadian parent. But under Bill C-3, that limitation has been lifted, extending eligibility to second, third, fourth, and even fifth-generation descendants of Canadian citizens born or naturalized in Canada.

Bill C-3 was passed on November 20, 2025 and came into force on December 15, 2025 following the 2023 Bjorkquist et al. court decision.

Citizenship Through a Grandparent or Great-Grandparent: Now Legally Possible

If you have a Canadian parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or earlier direct Canadian ancestor, now is the time to find out whether you qualify.

The first-generation limit was one of the most controversial aspects of Canada’s Citizenship Act. In many cases, it prevented citizenship from being passed beyond the first generation born abroad, regardless of how strong a family’s connection to Canada remained.

With the recent changes to the law, many of those restrictions have been removed.

As a result, individuals who were previously told they were not eligible for Canadian citizenship may now qualify. This includes many people with Canadian grandparents, great-grandparents, and even earlier generations of Canadian ancestry.

Importantly, every family history is different. Eligibility depends on a number of factors, including when each generation was born, how citizenship was acquired or retained, and the specific circumstances of your family line.

That means many people who assume they are not eligible may be surprised to learn otherwise.

Why So Many People Are Discovering They Qualify

One of the biggest challenges today is that much of the information available online is outdated.

Many people were previously advised that citizenship could not be passed through a grandparent or great-grandparent. In some cases, that advice was correct under the law at the time. However, the legal landscape has changed significantly.

We are now seeing increased interest from individuals whose families left Canada generations ago but who may now have a viable claim to Canadian citizenship.

Common situations include:

• Individuals with a Canadian-born grandparent;
• Individuals with a Canadian-born great-grandparent;
• Individuals whose ancestor immigrated to Canada and naturalized;
• Families who emigrated from Canada decades ago;
• People who were previously denied citizenship or told they were ineligible;
• Descendants of Canadians who never realized citizenship could potentially be passed through their family line.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Although the legal barriers have been removed, waiting creates unnecessary delays.

As awareness of these changes continues to grow, more people are beginning to investigate their eligibility and submit applications. Many cases require historical records, citizenship documents, birth certificates, marriage records, and other evidence that can take time to obtain.

The sooner you begin the process, the sooner you can determine whether you qualify and start gathering the documentation needed to support your claim.

For many families, obtaining citizenship is not simply about acquiring a passport. It can provide access to opportunities to live, work, study, and build a future in Canada or around the world using the International Experience Canada program, while preserving a meaningful connection to their family’s heritage.

Not Every Family History Is Straightforward

Although citizenship eligibility has expanded significantly, recent cases have shown that some applications were approved before all eligibility issues were fully examined. In certain situations, applicants later received correspondence from the government questioning their entitlement to citizenship.

This highlights the importance of obtaining a thorough legal assessment before submitting an application. A successful citizenship strategy depends not only on identifying a Canadian ancestor, but on carefully analyzing how citizenship passed through each generation under the applicable laws.

The key message: Act now.

If you believe you may be eligible for Canadian citizenship through your grandparent, great-grandparent, or even earlier ancestry, this is your opportunity. Start gathering your documents. Speak with a legal representative. Get your application submitted as soon as possible.

How We Can Help

Determining eligibility through multiple generations can be complex. Even where citizenship appears straightforward, historical citizenship laws, lost records, and unusual family circumstances can create challenges.

At Doherty Fultz Immigration, we assist clients in assessing their eligibility, tracing family citizenship history, obtaining historical records, and preparing citizenship applications. We prepare the application forms, write the cover letter to explain all circumstances including missing documents, and we submit the application directly to the Canadian government on your behalf.

Whether your connection to Canada comes through a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or an earlier generation, our team can help you understand your options and determine the strongest path forward.

Contact Us

If you have a Canadian ancestor and would like to know if you’re eligible, don’t wait. Reach out to our team with questions, or use the link below to book a full consultation and get started on your path to Canadian citizenship today.

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