Citizenship by Descent in Canada: Are You a Canadian Citizen?

What Is Citizenship by Descent?

Under Canada's Citizenship Act, persons born outside Canada may be Canadian citizens at birth if one of their parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of their birth. This is called citizenship by descent. However, important limitations apply — particularly the "first generation born abroad" rule introduced by amendments to the Citizenship Act in 2009.

The First Generation Limit

The most significant limitation on citizenship by descent is the first-generation rule: you can only acquire Canadian citizenship at birth (by descent) if at least one of your parents was a Canadian citizen who was either born in Canada or naturalized in Canada (became a citizen through the citizenship application process while residing in Canada).

This means that if both of your parents were also born outside Canada as citizens by descent, you are generally not entitled to citizenship by descent yourself — even if you have Canadian grandparents.

Pre-2009 Situations: Lost Canadians

Prior to 2009, many people who should have been Canadian citizens lost their citizenship or were denied it due to outdated rules (particularly related to gender discrimination). A series of legislative amendments and court decisions have addressed some of these situations. If you believe you may be a "lost Canadian," consult an immigration lawyer.

How to Confirm Citizenship by Descent

To confirm citizenship by descent, apply for a Citizenship Certificate from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You will need to provide documentation of your parent's Canadian citizenship, your birth certificate, and other supporting documents. IRCC processing times for citizenship certificate applications vary.

Citizenship by Grant: The Alternative Path

If you do not qualify for citizenship by descent but have lived in Canada as a permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship by grant — the standard citizenship application process requiring physical presence, language ability, and knowledge of Canada.