One of the most common questions applicants have when seeking proof of Canadian citizenship is how long a Canadian citizenship certificate application will take.
Processing times can change and may depend on whether the application is complete, how easily Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) can verify the information provided, whether additional documents are requested, and the complexity of the citizenship history.
At Falcon Law PC, we assist individuals and families with Canadian citizenship by descent matters, including citizenship certificate applications involving Canadian parents, grandparents, multiple generations born abroad, and historical citizenship issues.
How Long Does a Canadian Citizenship Certificate Take?
IRCC publishes a current processing-time estimate for citizenship certificate applications through its online processing-times tool. Because this estimate is updated regularly, applicants should check the current IRCC figure when planning their application rather than relying on an older fixed processing time.
The published processing time is an estimate rather than a guarantee. An individual application may take longer depending on the circumstances and the complexity of the citizenship claim.
Applicants living outside Canada and the United States should also be aware that additional mailing or overseas processing time may apply in certain circumstances.
When Does the Processing Time Start?
IRCC’s processing time generally begins when it receives a complete application and ends when a decision is made.
After an application is submitted, IRCC reviews it for completeness. Once a complete application has been accepted into processing, the applicant generally receives an acknowledgement of receipt.
IRCC may then request further documentation or information if additional evidence is required to determine citizenship status.
What Can Delay a Citizenship Certificate Application?
Several issues may cause an application to take longer than the published processing estimate.
Common examples include:
- missing or incomplete supporting documents;
- difficulty verifying birth or citizenship records;
- multiple generations born outside Canada;
- historical citizenship law issues;
- name or date discrepancies between records;
- documents issued by several different jurisdictions; and
- requests from IRCC for additional information.
Applicants with older or incomplete family records can review our guide to the documents needed for a Canadian citizenship certificate application before filing.
Do Grandparent or Bill C-3 Applications Take Longer?
There is not necessarily a separate processing time simply because an application involves a Canadian grandparent or Bill C-3. However, these applications may involve more extensive documentation and citizenship analysis.
For example, an applicant may need to establish several generations of parentage, locate historical Canadian records, or determine how previous citizenship legislation affected the family.
Individuals whose eligibility may have changed under the new legislation can review our guide to Canadian citizenship by descent after Bill C-3. Families relying on deeper Canadian ancestry may also wish to review citizenship through a Canadian parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent.
How Long Does It Take to Gather the Documents?
The IRCC processing time does not necessarily reflect the time an applicant may spend gathering documents before filing.
Citizenship by descent cases may require records from Canadian provincial authorities, U.S. states, foreign governments, archives, or family estates. Older birth, marriage, death, citizenship, and naturalization records can sometimes take considerable time to locate.
Applicants should therefore consider both the time needed to prepare a complete application and the subsequent IRCC processing period.
Can a Citizenship Certificate Application Be Processed Urgently?
In certain circumstances, IRCC may consider a request for urgent processing of a citizenship certificate application.
Examples may include certain employment or education needs, urgent family travel involving death or serious illness, moving a Canadian citizen minor to Canada, statelessness concerns, access to certain social benefits, or other qualifying hardship circumstances.
An urgent request must generally include an explanation of the urgency and supporting documentation. Approval is not guaranteed, and IRCC may still be unable to complete the application within the applicant’s required timeframe.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on urgent processing where an anticipated need for proof of citizenship can reasonably be identified in advance.
Can I Apply for a Canadian Passport While Waiting?
A citizenship certificate is commonly used as proof of Canadian citizenship when applying for a Canadian passport.
If an individual does not already have another accepted form of proof of Canadian citizenship, they may generally need to obtain the citizenship certificate before proceeding with the passport application.
Individuals who expect to need a Canadian passport for future travel should therefore account for both the citizenship certificate process and the separate passport application process.
How Can I Reduce the Risk of Delays?
No applicant can guarantee how quickly IRCC will process a citizenship certificate application, but a complete and well-organized submission may reduce avoidable problems.
Applicants should carefully review the citizenship chain, provide the required supporting documentation, address discrepancies in names or dates, obtain proper translations where required, and respond promptly if IRCC requests further information.
Where a parent may have been Canadian but never obtained formal documentation, our guide on what happens when a Canadian parent never applied for a citizenship certificate may also be helpful.
Speak With a Canadian Citizenship by Descent Lawyer
If you are considering a Canadian citizenship certificate application, Falcon Law PC can assist with reviewing your eligibility, citizenship history, family lineage, and supporting documentation before filing.
You can contact Falcon Law PC to schedule a consultation or review our packages and fees for additional information.