Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Proof of Citizenship)
A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is an official document issued by IRCC that formally confirms an individual's Canadian citizenship status. It is distinct from a Canadian passport — it is a standalone proof of citizenship document, not a travel document.
There are two main contexts in which a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is needed:
**Citizenship by grant (naturalization)**: After attending a citizenship ceremony and taking the Oath of Citizenship, a new citizen receives a citizenship certificate. In some cases, individuals who have been citizens for some time do not have a certificate or their certificate has been lost or damaged.
**Citizenship by birth or descent**: Some individuals are Canadian citizens by operation of law — for example, those born in Canada before a certain date, or those born outside Canada to a Canadian parent — but have never been issued formal documentary proof. These individuals can apply for a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship to confirm their status.
The certificate can be used to apply for a Canadian passport, to prove citizenship for employment or government purposes, or in legal proceedings where proof of citizenship is required.
The government fee is $75, paid directly to IRCC.
What Is Included
- Assessment of citizenship status (by grant, by birth in Canada, or by descent)
- Preparation of the Certificate of Canadian Citizenship application (CIT 0001)
- Document checklist and application package review
- Gathering and organizing supporting documentation
- Response to IRCC requests for additional information during processing
What Is Not Included
- Government fee: $75 (at cost, paid to IRCC)
- Canadian passport application (a separate application to Passport Canada)
- Citizenship by descent applications for individuals born outside Canada to a Canadian parent (assessed at intake — may require additional documentation)
- Translation fees for documents not in English or French
- Citizenship revocation proceedings
Who This Service Is For
Information Required from You
- 1Proof of identity (passport or other government-issued ID)
- 2Proof of citizenship or pathway to citizenship (existing citizenship certificate, birth certificate if born in Canada, or parent's birth/citizenship documentation for citizenship by descent)
- 3Any previous citizenship documents (even if lost — note the circumstances)
- 4Photos meeting IRCC specifications
Common Add-Ons
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Limitations
- •A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is a proof of status document, not a travel document. It cannot be used to enter Canada at a border crossing or board a flight. A Canadian passport is the appropriate travel document for Canadian citizens.
- •Citizenship by descent has generational limits. Canadian citizenship does not automatically pass from a grandparent to a grandchild born outside Canada — the first-generation born outside Canada to a Canadian parent may be a citizen, but citizenship does not automatically continue to the next generation born outside Canada. This is assessed at intake.
Fixed fee
$1,500
Plus HST
Flat legal fee of $1,500 + HST. Government fee: $75, paid directly to IRCC.
This service is provided by a third party. By requesting this service, you consent to us sharing your inquiry with one of our partner law firms, and you may be contacted by them, pursuant to our Privacy Policy.
Requesting does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Subject to conflict check and acceptance.
Prices are for the stated scope only. Additional complexity, urgency, disbursements, HST, or government fees may apply.
Fixed fee
$1,500
Plus HST