How to apply for Canadian Citizenship with limited documents – Part 1
When it comes to submitting an application to IRCC for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate, the process initially appears straightforward. By adhering to the document checklist requirements, you can effectively organize the materials you’ve gathered in preparation for submission.
However, complications arise when you realize you’re missing some of the necessary documents. Despite the possibility of seeking guidance from IRCC through a quick call, reaching an agent for support can be challenging. While online forums are available, your question may be too specific for anyone to provide assistance.
In such instances, your only recourse is to proceed with the Canadian Citizenship application and hope for a positive outcome. Yet, this approach may entail waiting several months for a resolution, time you may not have to spare.
For most Canadian citizenship applications, the following supporting documents are typically required to facilitate a smooth process:
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)
Parents’ birth certificates
Grandparents’ birth certificates (if applying as second generation)
Proof of name change, if applicable
However, if you’re applying for a simple replacement certificate, the requirements are usually more straightforward:
Two pieces of valid personal ID, such as a passport, driver’s license, or health card, one of which must include a photo
Proof of name change, if applicable
Often there may be a scenario where you might lack one of the primary pieces of ID, with the most common issue being the absence of a passport or any valid ID with a photo. This is often due to a theft of a handbag or a car, sometimes a house burglary.
The worst thing to do is to simply submit what you have with no covering letter to explain your situation. IRCC will send the application right back and you will be at square one again.
The most important thing to do Is to address the situation with a covering letter. The letter should explain why you are unable to obtain the documents and it should also contain any other information that is pertinent to your case. You will also need to provide a statutory declaration with a photo affixed to it that bears your likeness. This document needs to be notarized and coupled with other additional supporting documents that can support your name. The additional documents can be your CRA assessments, bank statements etc but you should have as many as you can.
An application that lacks the primary ID documents will always take slightly longer. There must be clear proof that you are unable to obtain any other documents without first having the citizenship certificate.
Often, by submitting applications for other documents first you may be able to then obtain what you need for the citizenship certificate. This is when IRCC will not accept a statutory declaration. If they feel that you can, in fact, get the documents needed to support your application.
A couple of examples of where this would be the case are:
Scenario 1:
You are a dual citizen of, for example, Canada and the UK. You have no supporting documents for your citizenship application (no UK passport, no Canadian passport, no health card, no driving license).
In this instance the best course of action would be to apply for a UK passport. This would then enable you to apply for a driving license for example.
Scenario 2:
You have a health card that does not have a photo and no other ID with a photo. You are only a Canadian citizen not a dual citizen.
This can be very tricky but there is a way. You would first need to apply for your verification of status (you need your birth certificate for this). Once you have that then you should be able to apply for your driving license. This would then give you your photo ID to then apply for your citizenship certificate.
So, as you can see from the scenarios above there are ways to obtain your certificates even if you may not have the documentation outlines in the IRCC official checklist.
Doherty Fultz Immigration specializes in innovative solutions and through careful crafting of submission letters and citing case laws where necessary we are usually successful in helping our clients obtain their immigration documents.
We are thrilled to bring you news of a significant update in Canadian citizenship rules, particularly in relation to double descent. If you were born outside Canada, and previously applied for Canadian citizenship through a parent, this announcement holds great importance for you, as you are now eligible to pass on your Canadian citizenship to your children.
The coming amendments to The Canadian Citizenship Act will introduce provisions that allow individuals who acquired their citizenship through descent to extend this privilege to their children, even if the offspring are born outside of Canada. This marks a progressive step forward in recognizing and facilitating the seamless transmission of Canadian citizenship to the next generation. First-generation individuals do not necessarily need to possess citizenship themselves to transmit it to the second generation.
The recent changes in Canadian citizenship regulations signify the government’s commitment to inclusivity and the acknowledgment of the evolving nature of families in our globalized world. By allowing individuals to pass on their citizenship to children born outside of Canada, these amendments reflect a more contemporary and inclusive approach to citizenship laws.
In the wake of this significant announcement and the subsequent changes, numerous questions undoubtedly arise. Our aim is to furnish you with comprehensive information to facilitate your understanding and guide you seamlessly through the process. This article will delve into the essence of Canadian citizenship, elucidate the steps to obtain it under the new regulations, outline the necessary prerequisites, and provide a wealth of valuable insights to assist you on this transformative journey.
What are the benefits of becoming Canadian?
Right to Vote: Canadian citizens have the right to participate in federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal elections. This allows them to have a say in the democratic process and contribute to shaping the policies of their community and country.
Quality Education: Canada is known for its high-quality education system, with many universities ranking among the top in the world. By studying in Canada, students can gain access to quality education that can enhance their career prospects globally. As a Canadian you would be subject to domestic fees instead of international fees and as you can see from the comparison chart below, fees for a domestic student in Canada is markedly lower than that of an international student.
COUNTRY
TUITION PER YEAR
LIVING EXPENSES PER YEAR
Canada
$7,076 CAD (Domestic)
$15,500-$17,800
Canada
$20,000-$45,000 (International)
$15,500-$17,800
United States
$32,000-$60,000 (Domestic)
$18,000-$25,000
United Kingdom
$17,000-$43,000 (International)
$21,700
Australia
$45,000 (International)
$16,700
Unrestricted Travel: Canadian citizens can travel freely in and out of Canada without the need for a Canadian visa (TRV) or residency permit.
Security Clearance: Canadian citizens have easier access to certain jobs that require security clearances, particularly those within the government or industries with sensitive information.
Eligibility for Government Jobs: Some government positions in Canada may require Canadian citizenship. By becoming a citizen, you may have more opportunities to apply for and secure government jobs.
Army Enrollment: To enroll in the Canadian Armed forces you must be a Canadian citizen at least 17 years old (with parental consent) or 18 years old (without parental consent), and meeting certain medical and fitness standards.
No Residency Obligations: Unlike permanent residents, citizens do not have to meet any residency requirements to maintain their status in Canada.
Right to Run for Office: Canadian citizens have the right to run for political office at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, allowing them to actively participate in shaping the country’s future.
Passport and Travel: Canadian citizens are eligible to apply for a Canadian passport, which facilitates international travel. The Canadian passport is widely regarded as a strong travel document, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries.
Dual Citizenship: Canada allows dual citizenship, so individuals can retain citizenship in another country while becoming Canadian citizens.
Retirement: Retiring in Canada as a Canadian citizen ensures access to various government benefits and programs designed to support seniors, including tax credits, healthcare subsidies, and transportation discounts.
Purchasing Property: As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to purchase property in Canada without any restrictions. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government acted to prohibit non-Canadians from buying residential real estate in 2022, with the measure to expire on Jan. 1, 2025. That date has now been moved to Jan. 1, 2027.
Renting as a Canadian: While there should be no real price disparity between renting as a Canadian versus a non Canadian you still have to take into account the other benefits you get as a Canadian that would potentially allow you to secure longer term contracts due to your permanent status.
Access to Consular Assistance: Canadian citizens have access to consular services and assistance from Canadian embassies and consulates when traveling or residing abroad.
Cultural Integration: Citizenship fosters a sense of belonging and integration into Canadian society, including participation in cultural events and community activities.
Protection from Deportation: Citizens cannot be deported from Canada, except in rare cases where citizenship was obtained fraudulently.
Greater Sense of Belonging: Obtaining citizenship can provide a sense of belonging and permanence in Canada, contributing to emotional and psychological well-being.
FAQ’S
Will I lose my citizenship of birth?
While most countries recognize dual citizenship, there are a few that still do not.
Canada does recognize it so if you become Canadian, it does not mean you have to forfeit your other citizenship; however, if the country you were born in does not recognize it then they may make you relinquish that citizenship.
You must make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations of your country of birth with regards to dual citizenship.
If you chose Canada as your home, then becoming Canadian is the final step to take, and with one of the highest percentages of immigrants that obtain citizenship, the statistics speak for themselves.
I applied for my first citizenship certificate through my parents. Will it be the same application?
Although we cannot definitively predict whether the forms and procedures will remain unchanged, we can reasonably infer from past observations up until 2009. During that period, the process for applying for a first citizenship certificate through a grandparent did not deviate from the standard citizenship application.
Does the first generation born abroad need to have citizenship for the second generation to have it?
First-generation individuals do not necessarily need to possess citizenship themselves to transmit it to the second generation. Proof of the grandparents’ citizenship, coupled with the familial link to the children and grandchildren, would suffice to establish eligibility.
Would I need to get my grandparents’ birth certificate?
The grandparent’s birth certificate holds utmost significance in substantiating the eligibility of the parents and, subsequently, the grandchildren. While short-form certificates are acceptable for grandparents, the long-form versions are required for parents and grandchildren to demonstrate the familial connection.
Does it make a difference where I live when I apply for citizenship?
Your residential location will not impact your application. The application is submitted through the Canadian embassy that serves the country of your residence.
How long will it take?
Processing times for citizenship vary greatly and can change frequently. It’s always best to check the current processing for citizenship certificate. For first-time citizenship certificates, there is always an additional 6 months to add to normal processing time.
At present, a definitive date for the implementation of the new amendment remains pending, but as soon as there is news, we will announce it. If you have grandparents who were born in Canada and you believe you are eligible, then get in touch with one of our team members.
How long is it taking for Canadian citizenship certificates to be issued?
Up until very recently the processing time for Canadian Citizenship certificate replacement was approximately 6 months and was approximately 6 months to 1 year for a first-time application for proof of Canadian citizenship. It had been this timeframe for many years and even through 2020 it remained. IRCC clearly stated on their website that due to covid-19, this timeframe was subject to change.
Last week the processing time was officially increased to 15 months on the IRCC website, after the processing time had already drastically increased without any acknowledgement from IRCC. They also specify that there will be long delays before the acknowledgment of receipt is issued. Our office can confirm this is accurate as we have had many clients who have still not received their AOR email for applications submitted in 2020. IRCC also confirms that first time or renewal applicants from outside of Canada will have to wait even longer than 15 months.
It has always been the case that applications for someone’s first proof of citizenship certificate have taken longer than the processing time posted on the IRCC website. This is because, unless the applicant has identification which is issued in either Canada or the United States, or has more than one passport as ID, the application cannot be submitted directly to Case Processing Centre Sydney in Sydney, Nova Scotia; instead it would have to be submitted to the Canadian Embassy responsible for the country where the applicant resides in order to first verify that the identity documents provided are authentic, and then the application would be forwarded from the embassy to CPC Sydney where it would go through the normal citizenship certificate issuance process.
How can I speed up the processing of my citizenship certificate application?
It is possible to request that IRCC process your proof of citizenship application urgently. In order to make a request for urgent processing, you need to have reasonable grounds for the request, such as the need to:
access benefits like:
a pension
health care
a Social Insurance Number
prove you’re a Canadian citizen to accept a job offer in Canada
enroll in a Canadian college/university
join the Canadian Forces
travel to or from Canada because of a death or serious illness in your family if you would otherwise require a visa
renew your Canadian passport to travel outside Canada urgently
This list is NOT comprehensive – there are lots of other reasons why a request for urgency may be approved for a citizenship certificate application.
It is entirely at the discretion of IRCC whether to accept an applicant’s proof of urgency for a proof of Canadian citizenship application. Not all requests are accepted, and urgent processing is never guaranteed. Our staff has 15 years of experience submitting urgent citizenship certificate applications for our clients, and we have the following observations:
Urgent processing requests are far more likely to be approved for an application to replace a lost or destroyed Canadian citizenship card or certificate than for a first time applicant who has never had proof of Canadian citizenship before
It is not enough to say that the application is urgent – documentation proving the reason for urgency must be included
Even with applications which are approved after urgent processing, the certificates are still sent out via regular mail (Canadapost) and cannot be tracked
If you have a reason to require your proof of citizenship sooner than usual, then your application can be submitted with a request to issue your citizenship certificate urgently.
I am already a Citizen of Canada – Why is it taking so long?
The impact of covid-19 is unprecedented and has had extremely negative impacts on Canadian citizenship and immigration processing times. Canadian citizenship applications have been among the hardest hit as these applications were de-prioritized in order to allow IRCC staff to focus on other types of applications that the government deemed more urgent, such as family reunification.
The original citizenship certificate has always been required to apply for a first Canadian passport, or renew a passport that had been expired for over one year – a photocopy of a citizenship certificate is not acceptable in this case (see image below). Passport Canada has currently extended the time that a passport can be renewed rather than having to apply for a passport as if it is the first time: many passports expired after February 2019 can be renewed without the need for extra documentation.
I’m having trouble checking the status of my citizenship certificate application.
The only way you can check the status of your proof of citizenship application on the IRCC website is if you have received an application number, which will be in your acknowledgement of receipt email. You can use your UCI (unique client identifier) number, however without the application number you will not be in the IRCC system yet.
It is only when the AOR is issued with the application number that you can then enter the IRCC online portal to see the status of your citizenship certificate application.
There are occasions that, even with the application number, you still cannot see an updated status. When this happens you are encouraged to submit a webform through the IRCC website to request any information on your application.
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If you are thinking of applying for your first citizenship certificate or replacing a lost or stolen Canadian citizenship card or certificate, contact our office for assistance.
Becoming a Canadian citizen is the last step in your years long Canadian immigration journey! It’s taken lots of sacrifice to make it this far – leaving behind your family, friends, culture, and possibly even native language. This is the final step before applying for your Canadian passport and no longer having to track your time spent outside Canada.
You also never have to worry about being deported from Canada – now your home – due to unforeseen circumstances such as a petty criminal conviction.
You may also hold the nationality of a country which does not allow its citizens to hold dual citizenship through naturalization.
All the above are genuine common reasons not to become a citizen.
What is the benefit of becoming Canadian?
It is important to remember that as a Canadian citizen you are able to make a real change to Canada and your community.
As a Canadian you are entitled to vote, work for the government or even run for political office.. All of these things are a fantastic way of giving back to the country you decided to call home.
Becoming Canadian also means peace of mind. You will never be able to lose your status which means you can chose to travel as much as you like. You won’t have to renew your permanent resident card anymore. The only thing you will need is your Canadian passport.
The Canadian passport is ranked in the top 10 of the most valuable passports to have. You are visa free to visit 183 countries. If you also retain your birth country’s citizenship this makes travel even more appealing.
When you become Canadian you are also able to pass on your citizenship to any children you have outside of Canada.
Will I lose my existing citizenship if I become Canadian?
While most countries recognize dual citizenship, there are a few that still do not.
Canada does recognize dual citizenship, so if you become Canadian it does not mean you have to forfeit your other citizenship. However, if the country you are born in does not recognize it then they may make you relinquish that citizenship.
You must make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations of your country of birth with regards to dual citizenship.
If you chose Canada as your home then becoming Canadian is the final step to take and with one of the highest percentages of immigrants that obtain citizenship, the statistics speak for themselves.
