Canadian Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship)

This guide is written for people living in the United States who are eligible for Canadian Citizenship (by birth in Canada or through a Canadian parent) and need official proof of citizenship i.e. A Canadian Citizenship Certificate (sometimes called “proof of citizenship”). It also includes a short section for readers outside the U.S. at the end.

What is a Canadian Citizenship Certificate?

A Citizenship Certificate is IRCC’s official proof that you are a Canadian citizen. You can receive it as an electronic certificate (e-certificate) or paper certificate.

You cannot use a citizenship certificate as a passport or government photo ID. It proves citizenship status, and is typically used to obtain a Canadian passport, a Social Insurance Number, or to show status to employers or schools. Government of Canada

Who should use this guide?

·         U.S. citizens and residents who:

o    were born in Canada and now live in the U.S., and want proof of citizenship; or

o    were born in the U.S. (or another country) and have a Canadian parent who was born in Canada or became a naturalized Canadian before you were born (citizenship by descent). Government of Canada

Quick self-check: common U.S. scenarios

1.      Born in Canada, now living in the U.S.

® Apply for a certificate (first-time or replacement). Your effective date of citizenship will be your date of birth. Government of Canada

2.      Born in the U.S. to a Canadian parent

® You may already be Canadian. You’ll need your U.S. birth certificate showing parentage and proof your parent was Canadian at your birth (e.g., Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate). Government of Canada

3.      Replacing an old citizenship card/certificate

® You must return any previous certificates or cards (including pink transmission copies). You can’t hold more than one valid certificate. Government of Canada

Choose your application route (from the U.S.)

You can apply online or by paper. IRCC will mail approved certificates to U.S. addresses; if your address is outside Canada and the U.S., delivery goes via the Canadian embassy/consulate you select. Government of Canada

Online application (recommended for most in the U.S.)

• Apply if you’re getting a first-time certificate or replacing a lost/stolen/damaged one.
• You’ll upload one digital citizenship photo and your supporting documents. If you choose a paper certificate, IRCC will mail it to your U.S. address; if you select an e-certificate, you’ll download it from your online account. Government of Canada

Paper application (by mail or at a consular office)

• Submit by mail or at a Canadian embassy/high commission/consulate (useful if you live outside Canada/U.S.).
• Include two printed citizenship photos and required documents. Government of Canada+1
• Fee (per person): CAD $75, paid online. Government of Canada

What you need to prepare

1) Documents that establish your claim

• Born in Canada: Canadian birth certificate.
• Born in the U.S. to a Canadian parent:
• U.S. birth certificate showing parentage, and
• Proof your parent was Canadian at your birth (Canadian birth certificate or citizenship/naturalization certificate). Government of Canada

Legal parent at birth: Since July 2020, a non-biological legal parent listed on your original birth record can pass down citizenship (e.g., in surrogacy contexts). Government of Canada

2) Identity documents (U.S.-friendly list)

Provide two valid IDs (name + DOB; at least one with photo). If you can’t provide Canadian ID from the U.S., foreign (U.S.) government IDs are acceptable (with translation only if not in English/French). Typical examples include a U.S. passport or state driver’s license. Government of Canada

3) Photos

• Online application: 1 digital citizenship photo that meets IRCC specs (upload the photo and photographer info).
• Paper application: 2 printed citizenship photos meeting IRCC specs (do not staple/glue to the form). Government of Canada+1

4) Translations (if applicable)

Any document not in English or French needs a translation and an affidavit by the translator (if not a certified translator in Canada). Government of Canada

5) Previous certificates (if replacing)

Return all prior citizenship/naturalization certificates and any pink transmission copies; you cannot hold more than one valid certificate. Government of Canada

E-certificate vs. Paper Certificate

• E-certificate: Fast delivery to your IRCC account; valid for proving citizenship; certificate number starts with “X.”
• Paper certificate: Mailed to your U.S. address if you live in Canada/U.S.; number starts with “K.”
  Both are valid proofs; neither is a passport or an identity card. Government of Canada+1

What IRCC officers verify

IRCC confirms your identity, effective date and basis of citizenship (birth in Canada or descent), whether your Canadian parent was Canadian before your birth, name/date-of-birth changes, and that previous certificates are accounted for. Government of Canada

Mini-checklists (U.S. readers)

A) Born in the U.S. to a Canadian parent

• U.S. birth certificate (shows parentage)
• Proof parent was Canadian at your birth
• Two IDs (e.g., U.S. passport + state driver’s license)
• 1 digital photo (online) or 2 printed photos (paper)
• Fee receipt (CAD $75) + translations if any Government of Canada+1

B) Born in Canada, now living in the U.S.

• Canadian birth certificate
• Two IDs (one with photo)
• 1 digital photo (online) or 2 printed photos (paper)
• Fee receipt (CAD $75) Government of Canada

C) Replacement of an old card/certificate

• Return all prior certificates/cards (and pink transmission copies)
• ID documents + photo(s) + fee receipt Government of Canada

Where IRCC will send the certificate

• Mailing address in the United States or Canada: IRCC mails certificates directly to you.
• Address outside Canada/U.S.: IRCC delivers via the Canadian embassy/consulate you choose. Government of Canada+1

 

Sources (IRCC Operational Instructions & Guides)

• Applications for citizenship certificates (who can apply, required documents, officer verifications). Government of Canada
• Guide for Online Applications — CIT 0001 (U.S. delivery, digital photo, ID rules, when paper is required). Government of Canada
• Guide for Paper Applications — CIT 0001 (paper route, two printed photos, fees, submissions by mail/consulate). Government of Canada+1
• Documents establishing citizenship (what proves descent, what to submit). Government of Canada
• Types of citizenship certificates (what’s valid/invalid; re-lamination). Government of Canada
• Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (e-certificate vs paper; “X” vs “K”; usage limits). Government of Canada
• First-generation limit — status & interim measure (updated). Government of Canada
• Urgent processing for proof of citizenship (reasons, how to request from the U.S.). IRCC Canada