Individuals born outside Canada as children or grandchildren to Canadian citizens, often referred to as ‘lost Canadians,’ have the opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship immediately. They can seek discretionary grants of citizenship under interim measures in place until amendments to Canada’s Citizenship Act are finalized.
Application Requirements for Canadian Citizenship
Applicants must ensure they have the necessary documentation for their citizenship application:
- Application form for a citizenship certificate (CIT 0001).
- Photographs meeting specified requirements.
- Copies of valid personal identification.
- Proof of payment.
Additional Documentation for Specific Circumstances
| Situation | Required Document(s) |
|---|---|
| Using a representative for the application | Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) |
| Declaring a sex or gender change | Statutory Declaration – Request for a Change of Sex or Gender form |
| Legal name change | Proof of legal name change (e.g., marriage certificate, court order) |
Additional Documents for Citizenship Circumstances
Applicants for discretionary grants of Canadian citizenship may need additional documents based on their citizenship circumstances.
Scenario One:
- If born outside Canada to a Canadian parent and never received Canadian citizenship.