You’ve completed all the necessary steps, gathered required documents, paid fees, and requested the appropriate birth certificate from a provincial archive.

It seems like you’re all set to submit your citizenship by descent application to the Canadian government.

However, there’s a hurdle. The New Brunswick Archives, where you obtained your grandmother’s birth certificate, is experiencing unusually high demand. Officials indicate that it will take a minimum of 12 weeks just to initiate the processing of your request, with the possibility of further delays.

Your Canadian grandmother serves as your anchor ancestor, also known as generation zero, forming the foundation of your entire citizenship claim. With the primary document missing and potentially months away from arrival, what should you do? Proceed with the application now or hold off?

Why Delaying Could Have Consequences

Since the implementation of Bill C-3 on December 15, 2025, which removed the first-generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent for individuals born before that date, tens of thousands have been applying for proof of citizenship certificates monthly.

This certificate is pivotal in unlocking the full privileges of Canadian citizenship, including obtaining a Canadian passport.

The surge in applications has significantly extended processing times. In May 2026, the processing duration was approximately 12 months. By August of the same year, it had escalated to 25 months, more than doubling.

Opting to wait for the archive to deliver the document might seem like the prudent choice. However, there’s a drawback. Each month of delay for a document, even if essential, could translate to additional months of waiting as Canada addresses the growing backlog of applications.

Submitting an Application Sans an Essential Record

If all other components of your application are in order (i.e., completed form, paid fees, and organized documentation and photos), you can proceed without the missing record.

This approach is viable if you possess alternative documentation to bridge the gap. For instance, if you’ve located your grandmother’s information on a genealogy website or census record, you should include a copy of it, along with evidence of your formal request for the original document from the appropriate archive.

Upon receiving the actual record, you must incorporate it into your application post-submission.

It’s essential to view submitting an application without the crucial document as a backup plan. Ideally, you should secure the required document from the archive and append it to your application package before processing commences.