Canadian Citizenship Card Replacement
for Those in Toronto, ON & the Surrounding Areas
| Regular Processing Professional Fee | Urgent Processing Professional Fee | Top Priority Processing Professional Fee |
| $498.75 | $781.25 | $1,176.75 |
| 9 Months | 6-12 Weeks | 4-6 Weeks |
*Fees include Government Fees and HST
Replacement citizenship certificates can be issued urgently depending on your circumstances – our office does this for our clients regularly. We proudly serve clients locally in Toronto, ON, and those across the border in Buffalo, NY; Manhattan, NY; and the surrounding areas.
First Canadian citizenship certificates for those born outside Canada to Canadian parents can be issued urgently, however, the eligibility requirements are much more strict.
For more information about the certificate or card replacement process or to request a service, we encourage you to contact us today!
First Proof of Canadian Citizenship Certificate Service
| Regular Processing Professional Fee | Urgent Processing Professional Fee |
| $753 | $1,092 |
| 15+ Months | 4-6 Months |
*Fees include Government Fees and HST
Please note that while urgent processing can be requested, acceptance of the request is solely at the discretion of IRCC and is never guaranteed.
If you have already been naturalized as a Canadian citizen, and your citizenship certificate or card has been lost, destroyed, stolen, laminated, or is no longer accepted, then you can apply to replace it with a new proof of Canadian citizenship.
If you were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, or adopted outside Canada by a Canadian parent, then you do not need to apply for immigration to come to Canada – you can submit an application for proof of Canadian citizenship and then come to Canada immediately to live, work, study, and obtain your Canadian passport as soon as it is issued.
If you are a Canadian citizen, you are required to enter Canada using your Canadian passport. The only exception to this requirement is for citizens of the United States to use their US passport to enter Canada. Proof of Canadian citizenship (a Canadian citizenship certificate) is required to apply for your Canadian passport if you were not born in Canada.
All proof of Canadian citizenship is issued in the form of a paper certificate with security features – citizenship cards have not been issued since 2012 due to severe deficiencies in the security of the document and how easily they can be forged or copied.
Canadian Citizenship Through a Grandparent
In a significant stride toward equality and acknowledging the constitutional implications of Canadian citizenship, the government of Canada has announced that it will not appeal the Federal Court decision which strikes down first generation limit to Canadian citizenship by descent, which was legislated by the Harper government in 2009.
Bill C-71, the amendment to the Citizenship Act, which will be implemented shortly, extends Canadian citizenship rights to second-generation children born outside Canada. Over the past 10 years, our office has helped thousands of Canadians born outside Canada claim their Canadian citizenship.
If you believe you have a Canadian born grandparent then please scroll to the bottom of this page for further information.
Our Service
Our office will help you obtain your proof of Canadian citizenship. We will:
- Confirm your eligibility to apply for a citizenship certificate
- Advise what documents are required for your application
- Complete the application form for you
- Write a cover letter explaining why your application should be approved
- Request urgent processing if applicable
- Act as your representative with the government of Canada
Only a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, such as our partners, or a Canadian Immigration Lawyer or member of the Chambres de Notaires du Quebec can accept a fee to be your representative with IRCC
Proof of Canadian Citizenship is Required to:
- Apply for a Canadian passport
- Work in an area requiring security clearance such as an airport
- Prove the Canadian citizenship of your child born outside Canada
- Join the Canadian Forces
If you have never had a citizenship certificate before, click here to apply for your first Canadian Citizenship Certificate
Citizenship Card Replacement – Urgent Processing
The current processing time for citizenship card or certificate replacement is now 15 months
If you need your proof of Canadian citizenship immediately, then you may qualify for urgent processing.
Reasons for urgent replacement of your citizenship card or certificate may include:
- Need to renew Canadian passport to travel outside Canada immediately
- Need to replace identification immediately
- Need to prove Canadian citizenship for work or school
- Need to prove Canadian citizenship for your child
Replace or Renew a Canadian Citizenship Card
Canadian citizenship cards and certificates issued after 1977 never expire. However, they may no longer be accepted if they are in bad condition or are illegible.
If the photo, borders, or writing on the document is damaged, then you will need to replace the document.
You can also replace a citizenship card or certificate which has been lost or stolen.
Requirements to Replace or Renew a Canadian Citizenship Card or Certificate?
You need:
- One valid photo ID
- One additional ID
- 2 Canadian passport photos taken in the last 6 months
If you do not hold any valid ID, there is an alternative method of obtaining a Canadian citizenship certificate. Contact us for details.
Get Proof of Canadian Citizenship for a Child Born Outside Canada
If a child was born outside Canada and at least one of their parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of their birth, then they have inherited Canadian citizenship. This also applies for adopted children.
A child born outside Canada must have proof of Canadian citizenship if they want to:
- Live in Canada
- Work in Canada
- Go to school in Canada
- Sponsor relatives for PR in Canada
- Visit Canada if they are from a country whose citizens require a visa
Any child born or adopted outside Canada to a Canadian parent may submit an application for proof of Canadian citizenship regardless of their age at the time of application. There are different application processes for these situations, so contact us to determine what your next steps will be.
Determine Your Eligibility for Canadian Citizenship as the Grandchild of a Canadian
To apply for your proof of Canadian citizenship as the grandchild of a Canadian citizen, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be the blood related grandchild of a Canadian citizen (adopted children go through a separate application process)
Gather the Required Documents for Your First Canadian Citizenship Certificate Application
When IRCC receives your Canadian citizenship certificate application, the package must be complete or it will be returned to you unprocessed.
Several essential documents are required for the application to be complete:
- Fully completed and signed application form CIT0001 (form to be confirmed once bill C-71 has been implemented)
- Two pieces of valid personal ID, such as a passport, driver’s license, or health card, one of which must include a photo
- Birth certificate (long form showing parents’ names)
- Parents’ birth certificates (long form showing parents’ names)
- Grandparents’ birth certificates (short form or long form)
- Parent’s or grandparent’s proof of Canadian citizenship (citizenship certificate) if they naturalized in Canada
- Proof of name change, if applicable
All of the above must be certified colour copies.
IRCC may also request additional documents from you once your application is in process, based on what documentation you have already provided.
Proving You Are a Canadian Citizen through a Grandparent
The success of your Canadian citizenship application as the grandchild of a Canadian citizen hinges on demonstrating that you are a Canadian citizen with documentary evidence. The onus is on the applicant to prove that they meet the requirements – IRCC will not investigate a claim which is weak or unsupported.
Several documents are needed to prove that you are a Canadian citizen:
- Your birth certificate, showing your parents’ names (long form)
- Your parent’s birth certificate, showing their parents’ names (long form)
- Your Grandparent’s Canadian birth certificates (these can be short form) or their naturalization certificates if they were not born in Canada.
- If your parent or grandparent naturalized in Canada, their proof of Canadian citizenship
If you have a Grandparent that was born in Canada and want to claim your Canadian citizenship, contact us or start your application below.
