Applying for citizenship

Canadians are proud to hold one of the most prized citizenships in the world.

Every year about 170,000 people become new citizens of Canada.

If you want to become a Canadian citizen, you must:

1. Determine if you are eligible to become a citizen.
2. Apply for citizenship.
3. Verify the status of your application and prepare for the citizenship test.
   Use the citizenship study guide entitled Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenshipto prepare for your test
4. Take the citizenship test, if you are between the ages of 18 and 54.
5. Attend a citizenship ceremony, if you are 14 or older.

Note: On April 17, 2009, the law changed and many former Canadians reacquired citizenship. Find out more about the new citizenship rules and who is affected.

Learn about:

• Residence calculator
  Find out if you have lived in Canada long enough to apply for citizenship.
• Proof of citizenship
  Information on the citizenship certificate—a wallet-size card that provides proof you are a citizen of Canada
• Citizenship for adopted people
  Information on the citizenship process for adopted people.
• Resuming citizenship
  What you need to know if you gave up your Canadian citizenship in the past and want to become a Canadian citizen again
• Renouncing citizenship
  The steps to take if you must give up your Canadian citizenship
• Search of records
  How to search the citizenship records of Canada to confirm if a citizenship certificate was issued to you in the past
• Frequently asked questions
  Answers to questions Citizenship and Immigration Canada is often asked about citizenship
• New citizenship rules
  Information for those born outside Canada or with questions about their citizenship

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