Recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals that 3,040 proof of citizenship applications were finalized in June, as per federal statistics.

A proof of citizenship application is necessary for existing Canadian citizens, whether by birth, descent, or a previous grant, who require a Canadian citizenship certificate.

The demand for these certificates surged following the implementation of Bill C-3 in December 2025, which removed the first generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent for individuals born before that date, leading to millions of Americans becoming Canadian citizens by descent.

Insights from the Latest Figures

IRCC’s application processing system data indicates that 31,980 citizenship certificates were processed in the first half of 2026 (January 1 to June 30). The increase from the previous update suggests a potential slowdown, with finalizations dropping to 3,040 in June from an average of 5,800 per month between January and May.

Notably, the backlog of pending applications rose significantly, from 82,020 on May 31 to 99,520 on June 30. As of August, around 121,800 applicants are awaiting decisions on their Canadian citizenship applications.

Reasons Behind the Decrease in Finalizations

A certificate review by IRCC likely contributed to the decline in finalizations in June. The department notified a group of recent recipients in the US that their approved certificates were under review, potentially causing a temporary pause in processing.