With major changes coming to Canadian citizenship law through Bill C-71, getting citizenship through a grandparent is now a reality but many people are wondering What about through a great-grandparent?

Applying for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate when you’re missing documents—especially when applying through a parent or grandparent—can feel overwhelming. While IRCC provides a checklist, real-life situations don’t always line up with it.

If you were born outside of Canada and have a Canadian grandparent, you may soon be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship — even if your parent was also born outside Canada. Thanks to the upcoming changes in Canada’s citizenship laws under Bill C-71, the door is opening wider for many second-generation individuals to reclaim their Canadian roots. But what if you’re not sure whether your grandparent was ever a Canadian citizen? Don’t worry — that’s a common question, and one that can be answered with a few key steps.